Definitions.

San José Municipal Code § 17.24.020

in effect

17.24.020 - Definitions. As used in this chapter: A. "Buildable area" is the area of a lot exclusive of the required setback areas. B. "Corner lot" is a lot which abuts two or more streets or street segments, forming an interior angle not greater than 135 degrees. C. "Corner triangle" is the triangular area formed by the two street lot lines of a corner lot and their projection and a line connecting them at points forty-five feet measured at the outer edge of the curb L from the intersection of the projected lot lines measured at the outer edge of the curb. D. "Director" means the director of neighborhood preservation. E. "Fence" is any hedge, wall, or other structure in the nature of a fence. F. "Flag lot" is an interior lot accessed by a corridor having a street frontage of less than twenty-seven feet. G. "Front setback area" 1. For an interior lot, the "front setback area" is the area which extends across the full width of the lot and from the front lot line along the street to a line defined by the front setback, excluding frontage area which is used primarily for ingress or egress to a flag lot; or 2. For a residentially zoned corner lot, the "front setback area" is the area which extends across the full width of the lot and from the narrower lot line along a public street to a parallel line defined by the front setback line. H. "Interior lot" is any lot other than a "corner lot." I. "Key lot" is the first interior lot abutting the rear of a corner lot. The front lot line of the key lot is a continuation of the side lot line of the corner lot, excluding any lot which is separated from a corner lot by an alley. J. "Lot line" is defined to include: 1. "Front lot line" is the boundary line of a lot which abuts a public street. 2. "Front lot line of a residentially zoned corner lot" is the narrower lot line abutting a public street. 3. "Side lot line" is the boundary line of a lot which intersects the front lot line. 4. "Side corner lot line" is the boundary line of a residentially zoned corner lot which is the longer of the two boundary lines abutting a public street. 5. "Rear lot line" is the boundary line of a lot which is opposite, and does not intersect, the front lot line. K. "Rear setback area" 1. For an interior lot, the "rear setback area" is the area which extends across the full width of the lot and from the rear lot line to a parallel line defined by the rear setback distance; or 2. For a residentially zoned corner lot, the "rear setback area" is the area which extends across the full width of the lot and from the lot line opposite the narrower lot line along a street to a parallel line defined by the rear setback line. L. "Setback" is the minimum distance by which buildings, structures, and parking must be separated from any lot line. 1. "Front setback" is measured from the front lot line. 2. "Rear setback" is measured from the rear lot line. 3. "Side setback" is measured from the side lot line. M. "Side setback area" 1. For an interior lot, is that area which is neither a front setback area nor rear setback area; or 2. For a corner lot, a. "Interior side setback area" is that area which extends from the lot line opposite the wider (larger) street frontage defined as the interior side lot line to a parallel line defined by the side setback; and b. "Corner side setback area" is that area which extends from the lot line along the wider street frontage to a parallel line defined by the side setback. (Prior code § 8801; 17.24.010; Ord. 23405.)

Source: City of San José, Municipal Code (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/ca/san_jose/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT17BUCO_CH17.24FEVARELO_17.24.020DEFetched: 11/1/2026