Development Control Policy 2026
Nairobi zoning, zone by zone
Nairobi City County’s Development Control Policy 2026 splits the county into 123 planning zones. Each sets what may be built there: the use, the most floors, how much of the plot a building may cover, the total floor space and the smallest plot. Pick a zone for its figures, its rules in the policy’s own words, the wards it covers and where it is on the map.
Updated 2026-10-24.
The four figures, in plain words
- Most floors — the highest a building may go. In many zones a smaller plot gets fewer.
- Ground coverage — how much of the plot the building may stand on. 50% means half the plot.
- Plot ratio — all floors added together, as a share of the plot. 200% on a 1,000 m² plot allows 2,000 m² of floor space.
- Smallest plot — land cannot be split into plots smaller than this. Across Nairobi, a plot under 0.05 ha can hold only one home.
Airport North
| Zone | Use | Most floors | Coverage | Plot ratio | Smallest plot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airport North | Industrial | 3 | 80% | 240% | 0.05 ha |
| Embakasi Village | Low density residential | 4 | 50% | 200% | 0.05 ha |
| Fedha Estate | Low density | 1 | 50% | 100% | 0.05 ha |
| Imara Daima and Villa Franca | Medium and low density residential | 12 | 50% | 600% | 0.05 ha |
| JKIA and Barracks | — | — | — | — | — |
| Mukuru Kwa Njenga/Reuben | Medium and low density residential | 8 | 50% | 400% | 0.05 ha |
| Nyayo Estate | Medium and low density residential | 4 | 50% | 200% | 0.05 ha |
| Pipeline | High-density residential, Regularization | 10 | 50% | 500% | 0.05 ha |
| Tassia I and II | High and medium density residential, Regularization | 10 | 50% | 500% | 0.05 ha |
CBD
| Zone | Use | Most floors | Coverage | Plot ratio | Smallest plot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Area - Core CBD | Mixed use | 75 | 80% | 6,000% | 0.05 ha |
| Kariokor, Ziwani, Gikomba and Majengo | Mixed use | 30 | 60% | 1,800% | 0.05 ha |
| Ngara | Mixed use | 30 | 60% | 1,800% | 0.05 ha |
| Railway City - Muthurwa | Mixed use | — | — | — | — |
| Upper Hill and Community | Mixed use | 75 | 80% | 6,000% | 0.05 ha |
| Valley Road and Milimani | Mixed use | 30 | 60% | 1,800% | 0.05 ha |
Dagoretti
| Zone | Use | Most floors | Coverage | Plot ratio | Smallest plot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dagoretti | Agricultural, Residential | 16 | 50% | 800% | 0.05 ha |
| Dagoretti Corner Commercial | Mixed use | 20 | 60% | 1,200% | 0.05 ha |
| Dagoretti Light Industrial | Inoffensive Light industrial, Medium density residential, Agricultural | 3 | 80% | 240% | 0.1 ha |
| Kawangware Commercial | Mixed use | 20 | 60% | 1,200% | 0.05 ha |
| Mountain View Estate | Low density residential | 1 | 25% | 50% | 0.1 ha |
Dandora
| Zone | Use | Most floors | Coverage | Plot ratio | Smallest plot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baba Dogo | Industrial, Residential | 8 | 50% | 400% | 0.05 ha |
| Civil Servant | Medium and low density residential | 8 | 50% | 400% | 0.05 ha |
| Dandora Commercial Core | Mixed use | 15 | 50% | 750% | 0.05 ha |
| Dandora Phase 1-5 | Medium and low density residential | 10 | 60% | 900% | 0.05 ha |
| Kariobangi | Medium and low density residential | 8 | 50% | 400% | 0.05 ha |
| Korogocho, Kariadudu and Ngomongo | Low density residential | 5 | 60% | 300% | 0.05 ha |
| Lucky Summer | Medium and low density residential | 8 | 50% | 400% | 0.05 ha |
Donholm
| Zone | Use | Most floors | Coverage | Plot ratio | Smallest plot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Donholm | Medium density residential | 15 | 50% | 750% | 0.05 ha |
| Donholm Commercial Core | Mixed use | 15 | 50% | 750% | 0.05 ha |
| Kayole | Medium density residential | 15 | 50% | 750% | 0.05 ha |
| Komarock | Medium density residential | 15 | 50% | 750% | 0.05 ha |
| Mowlem Commercial Core | Mixed use | 15 | 50% | 750% | 0.05 ha |
| Nasra Estate | Comprehensive scheme | 1 | 50% | 50% | 0.05 ha |
| Njiru | Medium and low density residential | 15 | 50% | 750% | 0.05 ha |
| Saika | Industrial and residential | 8 | 50% | 400% | 0.05 ha |
| Umoja I and II, Innercore and Tena | Medium and low density residential | 15 | 50% | 750% | 0.05 ha |
| Umoja III and KICC | Commercial cum residential | 15 | 50% | 750% | 0.05 ha |
Eastleigh
| Zone | Use | Most floors | Coverage | Plot ratio | Smallest plot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastleigh | Commercial and Residential | 20 | 60% | 1,200% | 0.05 ha |
| Mlango Kubwa, Huruma and Mathare | Residential | 8 | 50% | 400% | 0.05 ha |
| Pangani | High and Low density residential | 20 | 60% | 1,200% | 0.05 ha |
Karen
| Zone | Use | Most floors | Coverage | Plot ratio | Smallest plot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galleria | Mixed use | 4 | 50% | 200% | 0.2 ha |
| Karen (Hardy, Kuwinda, Karen C, Miotoni, Park Place) | Low-density residential | 1 | 25% | 50% | 0.2 ha |
| Karen Triangle | Mixed use | 4 | 50% | 200% | 0.2 ha |
| Langata Road | Mixed use | 1 | 25% | 50% | 0.2 ha |
Kasarani
| Zone | Use | Most floors | Coverage | Plot ratio | Smallest plot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clayworks | Medium and low density residential | 12 | 50% | 600% | 0.05 ha |
| Kasarani Commercial Core | Mixed Use | 12 | 60% | 720% | 0.05 ha |
| Kasarani Industrial | Industrial. Low denisty residential | 2 | 80% | 160% | 0.05 ha |
| Ruaraka and Ngumba | Mixed Use(Residential, Commercial and Light Industrial) | 12 | 50% | 600% | 0.05 ha |
| Sunton, Hunters and Mwiki | Mixed Use(Residential, Public Purpose, Commercial and Light Industrial) | 10 | 50% | 500% | 0.05 ha |
Lang'ata
| Zone | Use | Most floors | Coverage | Plot ratio | Smallest plot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lang'ata Neighbourhoods, Jonathan Ngeno and NHC Estates | High, medium and Low density residential | 15 | 50% | 750% | 0.05 ha |
| Langata Commercial Core | Mixed-use | 15 | 50% | 750% | 0.05 ha |
| Madaraka | Medium and low density residential, Institutional | 15 | 50% | 750% | 0.05 ha |
| South B and Plainsview | High and Low density residential | 16 | 50% | 800% | 0.05 ha |
| South C | High and Low density residential | 15 | 50% | 750% | 0.05 ha |
Makadara
| Zone | Use | Most floors | Coverage | Plot ratio | Smallest plot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bahati | Residential | 8 | 45% | 360% | 0.04 ha |
| Buruburu | Residential | 3 | 50% | 150% | 0.01 ha |
| Hamza | Residential | 7 | 50% | 350% | 0.01 ha |
| Harambee | — | — | — | — | — |
| Industrial Area | Industrial | 3 | 80% | 240% | 0.05 ha |
| Jericho | Residential | 16 | 35% | 560% | 0.04 ha |
| Jerusalem | Residential | 16 | 35% | 560% | 0.04 ha |
| Kaloleni | Residential | 8 | 45% | 360% | 0.04 ha |
| Kimathi | — | — | — | — | — |
| Lumumba | Residential | 16 | 35% | 560% | 0.04 ha |
| Makongeni | Residential | 8 | 45% | 360% | 0.05 ha |
| Maringo | Residential | 16 | 35% | 560% | 0.04 ha |
| Mbotela | Residential | 16 | 35% | 560% | 0.04 ha |
| Pumwani | Residential | 20 | 60% | 1,200% | 0.05 ha |
| Shauri Moyo | Residential | 5 | 50% | 250% | 0.04 ha |
| Uhuru Estate | Residential | 16 | 35% | 560% | 0.04 ha |
Nairobi National Park
| Zone | Use | Most floors | Coverage | Plot ratio | Smallest plot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nairobi National Park | — | — | — | — | — |
Roysambu
| Zone | Use | Most floors | Coverage | Plot ratio | Smallest plot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Along Thika Road | High-density residential | 20 | 50% | 1,000% | 0.1 ha |
| Garden Estate | Low-density residential area | 1 | 50% | 100% | 0.1 ha |
| Githurai 44 | High-density residential | 12 | 50% | 600% | 0.05 ha |
| Kahawa West | Medium and Low density residential | 12 | 50% | 600% | 0.05 ha |
| Kiwanja | Medium and low density Residential | 12 | 50% | 600% | 0.05 ha |
| Kiwanja Area | Medium and low density Residential | 12 | 50% | 600% | 0.05 ha |
| Marurui | Low-density residential | 1 | 50% | 100% | 0.1 ha |
| Marurui (Block 139) | Medium density residential | 6 | 50% | 360% | 0.05 ha |
| Mirema | — | — | — | — | — |
| Muthaiga North | — | — | — | — | — |
| Njathaini | Low-density residential | 1 | 50% | 100% | 0.1 ha |
| Ridgeways | Low-density residential area | 1 | 50% | 100% | 0.2 ha |
| Roysambu Commercial Core | Residential, Commercial | 15 | 60% | 900% | 0.05 ha |
| Safari Park | Low-density residential | 15 | 50% | 750% | 0.1 ha |
| Thome | Low-density residential | 1 | 50% | 50% | 0.1 ha |
| USIU | Medium and low density residential | 12 | 50% | 600% | 0.2 ha |
| Zimmerman | Medium density residential | 12 | 60% | 720% | 0.05 ha |
Ruai
| Zone | Use | Most floors | Coverage | Plot ratio | Smallest plot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Githunguri | Low-density residential | 1 | 50% | 100% | 0.05 ha |
| Kamulu | Low density residential Agriculture | 4 | 50% | 200% | 0.05 ha |
| Mihango | Medium and low-density residential | 10 | 50% | 500% | 0.05 ha |
| Ruai Commercial | Mixed-use | 10 | 50% | 500% | 0.1 ha |
| Ruai Industrial | Residential, Light Industrial and Agricultural | 3 | 60% | 180% | 0.4 ha |
| Ruai Residential | Low density residential Agriculture | 4 | 50% | 200% | 0.05 ha |
| Utawala | Medium and low-density residential | 10 | 50% | 500% | 0.05 ha |
Runda–Ruaka
| Zone | Use | Most floors | Coverage | Plot ratio | Smallest plot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gigiri and UN | International organizations, embassies, low-density residential, offices | 1 | 25% | 50% | 0.2 ha |
| Karura Forest | — | — | — | — | — |
| New Muthaiga | Low-density residential | 1 | 25% | 50% | 0.2 ha |
| Nyari and Kitisuru | Low-density residential | 1 | 25% | 50% | 0.2 ha |
| Old Muthaiga | Low-density residential | 1 | 25% | 50% | 2 ha |
| Runda Commercial Core | Mixed use | 20 | 50% | 1,000% | 0.2 ha |
| Runda Residential | Low-density residential | 1 | 25% | 50% | 0.2 ha |
Westlands
| Zone | Use | Most floors | Coverage | Plot ratio | Smallest plot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kianda Triangle | Residential, Educational | 6 | 50% | 300% | 0.05 ha |
| Kibagare | Low Density residential, High density residential | Mixed Density | 50% | 800% | 0.2 ha |
| Kitusuru | Low Density Residential | 1 | 35% | 50% | 0.1 ha |
| Kyuna | Low Density residential | 1 | 35% | 50% | 0.1 ha |
| Loresho | Low density residential | 1 | 35% | 50% | 0.1 ha |
| Lower Springvalley | Residential | 16 | 50% | 800% | 0.1 ha |
| Muthangari and Kabasiran | Residential, Educational | 1 | 35% | 50% | 0.05 ha |
| Parklands | High and medium density residential | 25 | 50% | 1,250% | 0.05 ha |
| Rhapta Road Area | High and medium density residential | 20 | 50% | 1,000% | 0.05 ha |
| Upper Springvalley | Residential | 1 | 25% | 50% | 0.05 ha |
| Westlands Core | Mixed use | 30 | 80% | 2,400% | 0.05 ha |
Woodley–Kilimani
| Zone | Use | Most floors | Coverage | Plot ratio | Smallest plot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dennis Pritt - Lower | Medium and low density residential | 4 | 50% | 200% | 0.05 ha |
| Dennis Pritt - Upper | High-density, medium and low residential | 15 | 50% | 750% | 0.05 ha |
| Hurlingham | High density residential, commercial | 20 | 60% | 1,200% | — |
| Kileleshwa | High, medium and low density residential | 30 | 50% | 1,500% | 0.05 ha |
| Kilimani | High and Low density residential, Offices | 20 | 50% | 1,000% | 0.05 ha |
| Lavington | Low-density residential, Offices | 1 | 50% | 100% | 0.05 ha |
| Ngong Road Area | High density residential and commercial | 30 | 50% | 1,500% | 0.05 ha |
| Riverside Drive | Residential, Offices | 30 | 50% | 1,500% | 0.05 ha |
| Woodley | — | — | — | — | — |
| Woodley–Kilimani Commercial Core | Commercial, High density residential | 30 | 50% | 1,500% | 0.05 ha |
Questions about Nairobi zoning
What is the Nairobi Development Control Policy 2026?
It is Nairobi City County’s set of planning rules for what may be built where. It divides the county into zones and, for each zone, sets the land use, the most floors, the ground coverage, the plot ratio and the smallest plot size.
Which Nairobi zones allow the tallest buildings?
Central Area - Core CBD and Upper Hill and Community, at up to 75 floors.
Where are the lowest-density zones in Nairobi?
Zones that allow one floor on a quarter of the plot or less include Karen (Hardy, Kuwinda, Karen C, Miotoni, Park Place), Nyari and Kitisuru, Upper Springvalley, Runda Residential, Gigiri and UN, Old Muthaiga, New Muthaiga and Mountain View Estate.
How do I find the zone for my plot?
Open the Nairobi Maps map, find your parcel by its LR, block or FR number, and tap it. The box shows the zone and its figures, worked out for that plot.
Where can I read the full policy?
Nairobi City County publishes the Development Control Policy 2026 on its website, nairobi.go.ke. Nairobi Maps shows the policy’s figures and rules for each zone on the map.