Bell · Zoning · R-3
Bell R-3 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Bell's R-3 zone, generally buildings can be up to 35 ft (3 stories) tall, the front setback is 15 ft or average front setback, whichever is less and the minimum lot size is 7,200 sq ft, with the conditions listed below (Bell code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 35 ft (Primary building or structure)
- Maximum number of stories: 3 stories (Primary building or structure)
- Minimum front setback: 15 ft or average front setback, whichever is less
- Minimum side setback: 5 ft
- Minimum rear setback: 10 ft
- Minimum lot size: 7,200 sq ft (created after December 31, 1989)
- Maximum lot coverage: 50%
- Maximum density: 1 unit per 1,452 sq ft
R-3 (HIGH DENSITY MULTIPLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL ZONE) is a zoning district in Bell. Every value below was read from the Bell 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 R-3
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: Primary building or structure § 17.24.050 · code textNo primary building or structure located on an R-3 zoned lot shall exceed a height of three stories or 35 feet, whichever is less. |
|---|---|
| Maximum number of stories | 3 stories Applies: Primary building or structure § 17.24.050 · code textNo primary building or structure located on an R-3 zoned lot shall exceed a height of three stories or 35 feet, whichever is less. |
| Minimum front setback | 15 ft or average front setback, whichever is less § 17.24.050 · code textEach lot in the R-3 zone shall maintain a front yard setback area of not less than 15 feet in depth, or a depth equal to that of the average front setback of the properties along the same side of the block whichever depth is the lesser. |
| Minimum side setback | 5 ft § 17.24.050 · code textAn R-3 zoned interior lot shall have and maintain a side yard setback area having a minimum width of five feet. |
| Minimum rear setback | 10 ft § 17.24.050 · code textEach R-3 zoned lot shall have a rear yard setback at least 10 feet in depth. |
| Minimum lot size | 7,200 sq ft Applies: created after December 31, 1989 § 17.24.050 · code textThe minimum lot area of an R-3 zoned lot created after December 31, 1989, shall be 7,200 square feet. |
| Maximum lot coverage | 50% § 17.24.050 · code textNot more than 50% of the lot area of any R-3 zoned lot shall be covered by main or accessory buildings. |
| Maximum density | 1 unit per 1,452 sq ft § 17.24.050 · code textOne unit may be located upon an R-3 zoned lot for each 1,452 square feet of lot area of such lot. |
Not on this page
We did not find a general FAR limit for R-3 in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Bell Municipal Code.
Other Bell zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Bell's R-3 zone?
35 ft (primary building or structure) — Bell Municipal Code § 17.24.050.
What is the maximum number of stories in Bell's R-3 zone?
3 stories (primary building or structure) — Bell Municipal Code § 17.24.050.
What is the minimum front setback in Bell's R-3 zone?
15 ft or average front setback, whichever is less — Bell Municipal Code § 17.24.050.
What is the minimum side setback in Bell's R-3 zone?
5 ft — Bell Municipal Code § 17.24.050.
What is the minimum rear setback in Bell's R-3 zone?
10 ft — Bell Municipal Code § 17.24.050.
General information, not legal advice.
Ask about a Bell property in R-3
Ask GoCodebook what you can build at a specific address and get an answer that cites the section.
Ask your question