Multifamily Zone and Objective Design Standards Project

The Project involves comprehensive amendments to the Land Use Element of the Los Altos Hills General Plan and Title 10 of the Municipal Code to establish new multi-family zoning districts and adopt objective design standards, enabling the development of residential housing at densities of 20 to 24 units per acre. These changes are designed to fulfill the Town’s obligations under the 2023-2031 Housing Element by rezoning approximately 19 acres from single-family residential-agricultural to multi-family use, ensuring compliance with the Regional Housing Needs Assessment requirement and maintaining a 15 percent buffer. The introduction of multi-family zoning represents a significant shift for the Town, as this housing typology does not currently exist in its zoning framework, and will be implemented with clear, objective development criteria to guide future projects. Minor updates to the General Plan will also be made to ensure alignment and consistency across planning documents. The City Council approved the Land Use Element amendment and the Objective Design Standards via separate resolutions on October 16, 2025, and introduced an ordinance to formally rezone the identified parcels and enact the new zoning regulations. The project is forecasted to enable a new housing model while maintaining the character of the community through standardized design requirements. The initiative is led by the City of Los Altos Hills, with point of contact Jay Bradford, Community Development Director, overseeing implementation. The project is located within Los Altos Hills, California, and the details are publicly accessible through the CEQA net portal.