Belvedere · Zoning · R-2
Belvedere R-2 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Belvedere's R-2 zone, generally buildings can be up to 22 feet tall and the minimum lot size is 6,000 square feet, with the conditions listed below (Belvedere code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 22 feet (plus a 1 ft bonus for each additional foot of second-story setback, up to 26 ft; never above 29 ft from existing grade)
- Minimum side setback: 5 ft (new structures and additions to existing structures)
- Minimum lot size: 6,000 square feet
- Maximum lot coverage: 40% (Lots not adjacent to open water, excluding uncovered outdoor decks; total coverage may not exceed 60 percent)
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 0.50 (Lots up to 8,000 square feet; larger lots are capped at 4,000 square feet of floor area)
R-2 is a zoning district in Belvedere. Every value below was read from the Belvedere 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-2
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 | 22 feet Applies: plus a 1 ft bonus for each additional foot of second-story setback, up to 26 ft; never above 29 ft from existing grade § 19.28.040 · code textTable row “Maximum height<br>Please see Chapter<br>19.56for<br>additional conditions.”, column “**R-2 (Duplex Residential Zone)**”: 22 feet, plus a one-foot bonus for<br>every additional foot of additional<br>second-story setback to a<br>maximum of 26 feet.<br>Height is measured from existing<br>grade. If the structure constitutes a<br>“substantial improvement” under<br>FEMA regulations, height is<br>measured from base food<br>elevation plus one foot of<br>freeboard.<br>In no event shall a structure be<br>constructed to a height above 29<br>feet from existing grade as defined<br>in Section<br>19.08.224. |
|---|---|
| Minimum side setback | 5 ft Applies: new structures and additions to existing structures § 19.48.145 · code textSide yards in the R2 zone shall be three and one-half feet for existing structures and five feet for new structures and for additions to existing structures, except that for any second story level the side yard shall be ten feet. |
| Minimum lot size | 6,000 square feet § 19.28.040 · code textTable row “Minimum lot size”, column “**R-2 (Duplex Residential Zone)**”: 6,000 square feet |
| Maximum lot coverage | 40% Applies: Lots not adjacent to open water, excluding uncovered outdoor decks; total coverage may not exceed 60 percent § 19.52.060 · code textLot coverage in the R-2 and R-3 zones shall be fifty percent on lots adjacent to open water, excluding uncovered outdoor decks, and forty percent on other lots, excluding uncovered outdoor decks, with a total coverage not to exceed sixty percent. |
| Maximum floor area ratio (FAR) | 0.50 Applies: Lots up to 8,000 square feet; larger lots are capped at 4,000 square feet of floor area § 19.28.040 · code textTable row “Maximum floor area<br> <br>”, column “**R-2 (Duplex Residential Zone)**”: Ratio of .50 to lot area<br>For lots with areas less than or<br>equal to 8,000 square feet |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in R-2:
- Maximum building height: 26 feet — With a one-foot bonus for every additional foot of additional second-story setback § 19.28.040
- Maximum building height: 29 feet — Absolute limit for any structure, measured from existing grade § 19.28.040
- Minimum front setback: 10 feet — For a structure greater than 15 feet but below 25 feet above existing grade within first 40 feet from front property line § 19.28.040
- Minimum side setback: 10 ft — any second story level § 19.48.145
- Minimum side setback: 10 feet — For a structure greater than 15 feet but below 25 feet above existing grade § 19.28.040
- Minimum rear setback: 15 feet — Abutting a street, alley or private way § 19.28.040
- Maximum lot coverage: 50% — lots adjacent to open water, excluding uncovered outdoor decks § 19.52.060
- Maximum lot coverage: 60% — total coverage § 19.52.060
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, front setback, rear setback, density limit for R-2 in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Belvedere Municipal Code.
Other Belvedere zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Belvedere's R-2 zone?
22 feet (plus a 1 ft bonus for each additional foot of second-story setback, up to 26 ft; never above 29 ft from existing grade) — Belvedere Municipal Code § 19.28.040.
What is the minimum side setback in Belvedere's R-2 zone?
5 ft (new structures and additions to existing structures) — Belvedere Municipal Code § 19.48.145.
What is the minimum lot size in Belvedere's R-2 zone?
6,000 square feet — Belvedere Municipal Code § 19.28.040.
What is the maximum lot coverage in Belvedere's R-2 zone?
40% (lots not adjacent to open water, excluding uncovered outdoor decks; total coverage may not exceed 60 percent) — Belvedere Municipal Code § 19.52.060.
What is the maximum floor area ratio (far) in Belvedere's R-2 zone?
0.50 (lots up to 8,000 square feet; larger lots are capped at 4,000 square feet of floor area) — Belvedere Municipal Code § 19.28.040.
General information, not legal advice.
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