Journal · New developments
What can be built, and where: the Todos Santos urban plan
Densities, minimum lots and heights near the coast come from a 2012 urban development plan that the municipality is now replacing. Why it matters before you buy land.

New developments
All articles —Before you fall for a lot, ask what can be built on it. Around Todos Santos the answer starts with one document.
The plan
The urban development plan for Todos Santos – El Pescadero – Las Playitas was published in the state's Boletín Oficial No. 40 on August 10, 2012. It divides the area into zones and sets, for each one, how many homes can be built per hectare, the minimum lot size and frontage, how much of the lot can be covered and how high buildings can go.
Some of the numbers
As summarised by the local group Protect Todos Santos: in tourist-residential zones, 4 homes per hectare, minimum lots of 2,000 m² with 25 m of frontage, 25% ground coverage and 60% total built area; within 400 m of the coast, buildings of up to two storeys or 7.5 m.
What is changing
The municipality of La Paz is preparing a new plan to replace the 2012 one. Until it is published, the 2012 rules apply — and a lot's value depends on which zone it falls in under both.
Before you buy land
- Ask the municipality for the land-use certificate (constancia de uso de suelo) of the specific lot.
- Check whether the lot is within 400 m of the coast, and whether it touches the 20 m federal beach zone (ZOFEMAT).
- For a subdivision, ask for its authorisation and its own rules.
Building permits and fees are in the Buyer's Guide.
Antes de enamorarte de un lote, pregunta qué se puede construir en él. Alrededor de Todos Santos la respuesta empieza en un documento.
El plan
El Programa de Desarrollo Urbano de Todos Santos – El Pescadero – Las Playitas se publicó en el Boletín Oficial del estado No. 40 el 10 de agosto de 2012. Divide la zona en usos y fija, para cada uno, cuántas viviendas caben por hectárea, el lote mínimo y su frente, cuánto del lote se puede ocupar y qué altura pueden tener las construcciones.
Algunas cifras
Según el resumen del grupo local Protect Todos Santos: en zonas turístico-residenciales, 4 viviendas por hectárea, lotes mínimos de 2,000 m² con 25 m de frente, 25% de ocupación en planta baja y 60% de construcción total; a menos de 400 m de la costa, construcciones de hasta dos niveles o 7.5 m.
Qué está cambiando
El municipio de La Paz prepara un plan nuevo que sustituirá al de 2012. Mientras no se publique, aplican las reglas de 2012 — y el valor de un lote depende de en qué zona cae con uno y otro.
Antes de comprar terreno
- Pide al municipio la constancia de uso de suelo del lote específico.
- Revisa si el lote está a menos de 400 m de la costa y si colinda con la zona federal de 20 m (ZOFEMAT).
- En un fraccionamiento, pide su autorización y su reglamento.
Permisos y derechos de construcción están en la Guía del comprador.
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