New construction · San Rafael
Can I tear down and rebuild my house in San Rafael?
Tear-down and rebuild is allowed in San Rafael on most legally conforming parcels, but the path depends on the parcel's zoning, lot conformance, and any historic / hillside / coastal overlays. Slope, tree cover, and ridgeline rules dominate hillside lots; flatland R-1 governed by FAR, setbacks, and a 30-foot height limit.
What changes the answer in San Rafael.
San Rafael uses R-1, R-2, R-3 districts plus Hillside Residential overlays in the canyon and ridge areas; downtown is governed by the Downtown Precise Plan. Hillside parcels require Design Review with the Design Review Board; flatland R-1 SFRs largely ministerial.
- Slope, tree cover, and ridgeline rules dominate hillside lots; flatland R-1 governed by FAR, setbacks, and a 30-foot height limit.
- Hillside parcels require Design Review with the Design Review Board; flatland R-1 SFRs largely ministerial.
- Hillside Residential overlays add slope-band density, ridgeline rules, and Design Review Board action.
- Hillside parcels across Sun Valley, Dominican, and Peacock Gap are in VHFHSZ — Chapter 7A and Marin defensible-space rules apply.
Source-backed note
Demolition + new construction are reviewed by City of San Rafael Community Development Department — Building Division alongside any required planning / coastal / hillside review.
Local authority: City of San Rafael Community Development Department — Building Division
Get a San Rafael-specific answer for your parcel.
Send us the address and we'll respond with a feasibility note that cites City of San Rafael Community Development Department — Building Division and the parcel's actual constraints — not a generic checklist.
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