Albany · Zoning · RHD
Albany RHD zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Albany's RHD zone, generally buildings can be up to 35 ft tall, the front setback is 15 ft and the minimum lot size is 5,000 sq ft, with the conditions listed below (Albany code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 35 ft (Single-family residence on a downhill site)
- Minimum front setback: 15 ft (Single-family development on land under two acres; through lots have a front setback at both streets)
- Minimum rear setback: 20 ft (Single-family development on land under two acres)
- Minimum lot size: 5,000 sq ft (Single-family development on land comprising less than two acres)
- Maximum lot coverage: 40% (Single-family development on land comprising less than two acres)
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 0.50 (Single-family development on land under two acres)
- Maximum density: 6 or 9 dwelling units/acre (6 in the low density area, 9 in the high density area; slope limits may reduce it)
RHD is a zoning district in Albany. Every value below was read from the Albany Municipal Code and links to its section (read October 2026). State laws such as the ADU and SB 9 rules can allow more on a residential lot. General information, not legal advice — read the code text and check with the city before you build.
Development standards in RHD
The general rule for a typical lot in this zone. Zoning tables often attach notes, such as rules for corner lots, lots next to a residential zone, or new subdivisions only. Open “code text” under a value to see the table cell or sentence it was read from.
| Maximum building height | 35 ft Applies: Single-family residence on a downhill site § 20.24 · code textThe maximum building height for a single-family residence on a downhill site shall be 35 feet above the original grade of a site measured from the midpoint of the building envelope. |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 15 ft Applies: Single-family development on land under two acres; through lots have a front setback at both streets See notes 2, 8 below the table in the code. § 20.24 · code textTable row “Front”, column “RHD (2)”: 15 (8)(15) Note 2: In the RHD District, all multiple-family development, and any single-family development which comprises two or more acres of land area, shall be processed as a development plan under planned unit development procedures specified in Subsection 20.100.060 . See Subsection 20.24.040 for development regulations applicable to the RHD District in addition to the regulations stated in this table. Note 8: Applies to single-family development in RHD District on land comprising less than two acres. Also shall be considered to be the minimum standards required for development of a single-family planned unit development on two acres or more, except that modified development standards may be approved if deemed appropriate by the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council. |
| Minimum rear setback | 20 ft Applies: Single-family development on land under two acres See notes 2, 8 below the table in the code. § 20.24 · code textTable row “Rear”, column “RHD (2)”: 20 (8) Note 2: In the RHD District, all multiple-family development, and any single-family development which comprises two or more acres of land area, shall be processed as a development plan under planned unit development procedures specified in Subsection 20.100.060 . See Subsection 20.24.040 for development regulations applicable to the RHD District in addition to the regulations stated in this table. Note 8: Applies to single-family development in RHD District on land comprising less than two acres. Also shall be considered to be the minimum standards required for development of a single-family planned unit development on two acres or more, except that modified development standards may be approved if deemed appropriate by the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council. |
| Minimum lot size | 5,000 sq ft Applies: Single-family development on land comprising less than two acres See notes 2, 8, 10 below the table in the code. § 20.24 · code textTable row “Single-family 2-family Multiple-family Public/quasi-public”, column “RHD (2)”: 5,000 (8) Note 2: In the RHD District, all multiple-family development, and any single-family development which comprises two or more acres of land area, shall be processed as a development plan under planned unit development procedures specified in Subsection 20.100.060 . See Subsection 20.24.040 for development regulations applicable to the RHD District in addition to the regulations stated in this table. Note 8: Applies to single-family development in RHD District on land comprising less than two acres. Also shall be considered to be the minimum standards required for development of a single-family planned unit development on two acres or more, except that modified development standards may be approved if deemed appropriate by the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council. Note 10: Existing lots which do not meet minimum area standards may be developed or improved as provided in § 20.44, Nonconforming Uses, Structures and Lots. |
| Maximum lot coverage | 40% Applies: Single-family development on land comprising less than two acres See notes 2, 8 below the table in the code. § 20.24 · code textTable row “Single-family 2-family Multiple-family Public/quasi-public”, column “RHD (2)”: 40% (8) Note 2: In the RHD District, all multiple-family development, and any single-family development which comprises two or more acres of land area, shall be processed as a development plan under planned unit development procedures specified in Subsection 20.100.060 . See Subsection 20.24.040 for development regulations applicable to the RHD District in addition to the regulations stated in this table. Note 8: Applies to single-family development in RHD District on land comprising less than two acres. Also shall be considered to be the minimum standards required for development of a single-family planned unit development on two acres or more, except that modified development standards may be approved if deemed appropriate by the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council. |
| Maximum floor area ratio (FAR) | 0.50 Applies: Single-family development on land under two acres See notes 2, 8 below the table in the code. § 20.24 · code textTable row “Single-family dwelling Multifamily dwelling”, column “RHD (2)”: 0.50 (8) Note 2: In the RHD District, all multiple-family development, and any single-family development which comprises two or more acres of land area, shall be processed as a development plan under planned unit development procedures specified in Subsection 20.100.060 . See Subsection 20.24.040 for development regulations applicable to the RHD District in addition to the regulations stated in this table. Note 8: Applies to single-family development in RHD District on land comprising less than two acres. Also shall be considered to be the minimum standards required for development of a single-family planned unit development on two acres or more, except that modified development standards may be approved if deemed appropriate by the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council. |
| Maximum density | 6 or 9 dwelling units/acre Applies: 6 in the low density area, 9 in the high density area; slope limits may reduce it See note 2 below the table in the code. § 20.24 · code textTable row “Maximum Density (dwelling units/acre)”, column “RHD (2)”: 6 or 9 (4) Note 2: In the RHD District, all multiple-family development, and any single-family development which comprises two or more acres of land area, shall be processed as a development plan under planned unit development procedures specified in Subsection 20.100.060 . See Subsection 20.24.040 for development regulations applicable to the RHD District in addition to the regulations stated in this table. |
Uses in RHD
Uses the code's use tables allow in RHD, or allow with a permit. Each links to its page with the code section.
- Child care center — Needs an use permit (major)
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in RHD:
- Maximum building height: 28 ft — Single-family residence on an uphill site § 20.24
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, side setback limit for RHD in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Albany Municipal Code.
Other Albany zoning districts
Who this affects
HomeownersArchitects and designersDevelopersReal estate agents
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Albany's RHD zone?
35 ft (single-family residence on a downhill site) — Albany Municipal Code § 20.24.
What is the minimum front setback in Albany's RHD zone?
15 ft (single-family development on land under two acres; through lots have a front setback at both streets) — Albany Municipal Code § 20.24.
What is the minimum rear setback in Albany's RHD zone?
20 ft (single-family development on land under two acres) — Albany Municipal Code § 20.24.
What is the minimum lot size in Albany's RHD zone?
5,000 sq ft (single-family development on land comprising less than two acres) — Albany Municipal Code § 20.24.
What is the maximum lot coverage in Albany's RHD zone?
40% (single-family development on land comprising less than two acres) — Albany Municipal Code § 20.24.
General information, not legal advice.
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