C-1 Zone

C-1 Zone or Neighborhood Commercial Zone


The C-1 or Neighborhood Commercial zone applies to areas easily accessible and useful for retail, service and administrative uses that facilitate the day-to-day needs of Los Gatos residents


Find Zoning Requirements


Go to Chapter 29, Article VI, Division 3 of the Town Code to check the Zoning Requirements for C-1 Zone or Neighborhood Commercial Zone, or you may contact the Town of Los Gatos Community Development Department. Please supply the following information:
  • Street Address
  • Nearest Cross Street
  • Assessor's Parcel Number (APN) if available

Permitted Uses in C-1 Zones


The following uses are permitted:
  • Retailing
  • Personal service businesses and service businesses necessary for the conduct of households
  • Office uses
  • Limited manufacturing uses when the majority of sales are made, on site, to the ultimate consumer
  • Approved uses permitted in the Commercial-Industrial (LM) zone before February 1, 1993. However, any change of use must comply the C-1 zone requirements
** Additional uses may be allowed if a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) is approved. Please contact the Planning Department for further information.

Examples of proper C-1 uses:
  • Grocery stores, Drugstores, Launderette agencies, Dry cleaning agencies, Barbershops, Appliance repair shops, Office.
Examples of improper C-1 uses:
  • Vehicle service and sales, Manufacturing, Laundry, Wholesaling, Palmist, Soothsayers.
Note: Uses that will unreasonably interfere with nearby residential uses are not allowed in a C-1 zone.

Lot Size Requirements


There are no minimum lot area requirements in the C-1 zone.

Minimum Setback Requirements


  • Front ... 15'
  • Side ... None
  • Rear ... None
  • Street Side ... 15'
Lots in C-1 zones that abut or are across the street from a residential zone must comply with the following minimum yard requirements:
  • Front* ... 25'
  • Side* ... 20'
  • Rear* ... 20'
  • Street Side* ... 15'
*Plus 1' for each foot a building exceeds 20' in height. A 6' high masonry wall is required along the property line (8' high wall is permitted next to residential if both parties agree).

Height Requirements


The maximum building height in the C-1 zone is 35' (measured from the the natural or finished grade, whichever is lower and creates a lower profile, to the uppermost point of the roof edge, wall parapet, mansard, or other point directly above that grade).

Note: Towers, spires, elevator and mechanical penthouses, cupolas, similar structures and necessary mechanical appurtenances which are not used for human activity or storage may be higher than the maximum height noted. Please contact the Planning Department for further questions.


Lot Coverage


The maximum building coverage, including any type of accessory buildings, is 50%.


Parking Assessment District Requirements


The Floor Area Ratio (FAR) for new buildings or expansions of gross floor area of existing buildings must not exceed .60.

In the event a building or buildings that exceed a FAR of .60 within the C-1 zone are destroyed involuntarily, reconstruction to the amount of prior floor area shall be allowed.