Belvedere · Zoning · R-3
Belvedere R-3 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Belvedere's R-3 zone, generally buildings can be up to 34 feet tall, the front setback is 10 ft 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: 34 feet (As measured from the highest point of the structure (excluding chimneys) to base flood elevation plus one foot of freeboard)
- Minimum front setback: 10 ft (Buildings greater than 15 feet but below 25 feet high, within the first 40 feet from the front property line)
- Minimum side setback: 10 ft (For buildings 16–25 feet high)
- Minimum lot size: 6,000 square feet
- Maximum lot coverage: 40% (Lots not next to open water, excluding uncovered decks; up to 50 percent for multiple-family housing next to commercial-zoned property; total 60 percent)
- Maximum density: 20 units per net acre (Minimum 5 units per net acre; set by the General Plan medium density designation)
R-3 (R-3 ZONE) 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-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 | 34 feet Applies: As measured from the highest point of the structure (excluding chimneys) to base flood elevation plus one foot of freeboard § 19.28.040 · code textTable row “Maximum height<br>Please see Chapter<br>19.56for<br>additional conditions.”, column “**R-3 (Multifamily Residential**<br>**Zone)**”: Up to 34 feet as measured from the<br>highest point of the structure<br>(excluding chimneys) to base food<br>elevation plus one foot of freeboard<br>and a maximum of 36 feet as<br>measured from existing grade as<br>defined in Section<br>19.08.224.<br>Up to a 38-foot maximum as<br>measured from existing grade shall<br>be provided if projects meet<br>requirements of Section<br>19.36.040(A). |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 10 ft Applies: Buildings greater than 15 feet but below 25 feet high, within the first 40 feet from the front property line § 19.36.040 · code textTable row “Front yard setback”, column “10 feet”: Building less than 25 feet high within first 40 feet|10 feet |
| Minimum side setback | 10 ft Applies: For buildings 16–25 feet high § 19.36.040 · code textTable row “Side yard setback”, column “10 feet”: For buildings 16—25 feet high|10 feet |
| Minimum lot size | 6,000 square feet § 19.28.040 · code textTable row “Minimum lot size”, column “**R-3 (Multifamily Residential**<br>**Zone)**”: 6,000 square feet |
| Maximum lot coverage | 40% Applies: Lots not next to open water, excluding uncovered decks; up to 50 percent for multiple-family housing next to commercial-zoned property; total 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 density | 20 units per net acre Applies: Minimum 5 units per net acre; set by the General Plan medium density designation § 19.36.040 · code textTable row “Density”, column “5—20 units (as per General Plan designation, medium density MFR)”: Units per net acre|5—20 units (as per General Plan designation, medium density MFR) |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in R-3:
- Maximum building height: 36 feet — As measured from existing grade as defined in Section 19.08.224 § 19.28.040
- Maximum building height: 38 feet — Incentive projects with affordable units, for buildings with frontage on Beach Road; see Section 19.36.040(A) § 19.28.040
- Minimum side setback: 5 ft — buildings 15 feet or less in height § 19.48.150
- Minimum side setback: 15 ft — Buildings more than 25 feet high; the table adds one foot of setback for every foot of height over 25 feet § 19.48.150
- 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, rear setback, FAR limit for R-3 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-3 zone?
34 feet (as measured from the highest point of the structure (excluding chimneys) to base flood elevation plus one foot of freeboard) — Belvedere Municipal Code § 19.28.040.
What is the minimum front setback in Belvedere's R-3 zone?
10 ft (buildings greater than 15 feet but below 25 feet high, within the first 40 feet from the front property line) — Belvedere Municipal Code § 19.36.040.
What is the minimum side setback in Belvedere's R-3 zone?
10 ft (for buildings 16–25 feet high) — Belvedere Municipal Code § 19.36.040.
What is the minimum lot size in Belvedere's R-3 zone?
6,000 square feet — Belvedere Municipal Code § 19.28.040.
What is the maximum lot coverage in Belvedere's R-3 zone?
40% (lots not next to open water, excluding uncovered decks; up to 50 percent for multiple-family housing next to commercial-zoned property; total 60 percent) — Belvedere Municipal Code § 19.52.060.
General information, not legal advice.
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