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Middle Housing Zoning Changes

Middle Housing Zoning changes go into effect November 1, 2025. Please join our mailing list or periodically visit this webpage for updates on the implementation of the new zoning changes.

Due to recent changes in housing-related state laws, City Council referrals, and requirements outlined in the 2023-2031 Housing Element Update, the City adopted zoning changes to promote "Middle Housing" in its low-density residential neighborhoods. 

City Council adopted the Middle Housing Zoning Amendments ordinance on July 8, 2025. The zoning changes will be effective November 1, 2025. 

These changes apply to residential areas across the city, including neighborhoods adjacent to Berkeley’s Downtown, the Elmwood District, Fourth St., North Shattuck Ave., Solano Ave., Telegraph Ave., the Lorin District, West Berkeley, San Pablo Ave., and University Ave.

Middle Housing includes buildings like duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, courtyard apartments, and other small-scale multi-family housing types in Berkeley’s neighborhoods that currently consist of mostly single-family homes.

Join the mailing list to receive updates on the implementation of the new zoning.

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Project overview

Middle Housing zoning changes allow for duplexes, triplexes/fourplexes, courtyard apartments, and other small-scale multi-family housing types on single lots to increase the supply of housing in a range of sizes.  These changes allow for more mixed housing types and sizes, particularly infill housing in high-resource neighborhoods close to jobs, public transit, quality schools, parks, and neighborhood commercial activity.  

These zoning changes will permit multi-unit housing in low-density residential districts by changing rules related to:

  • Building height
  • Setbacks (the distance a building must be from a neighbor’s property line)
  • Lot coverage (the total amount of a lot that can be occupied by buildings)
  • Density (how many units are allowed on a single lot)
  • Residential additions

The zoning changes will also allow housing projects that comply with the new standards to be approved more quickly.

With the adoption of Middle Housing zoning changes, current regulations that limit the construction of multi-unit housing have been revised to encourage duplexes, triplexes/fourplexes, courtyard apartments, and other small-scale multi-family housing types. Permitting multi-unit housing in low-density residential districts increases the housing supply, lowers housing costs, combats displacement and gentrification, and provides opportunities for new and current Berkeley residents to secure decent housing.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Please contact Justin Horner, Principal Planner, jhorner@berkeleyca.gov

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