Brisbane R-BA zoning: height, setbacks and lot size

R-BA (Brisbane Acres Residential District) is a zoning district in Brisbane. Every value below was read from the Brisbane 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-BA

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 § 17.12.040 · code text Except as otherwise provided in paragraph 2 of this subsection G. and in Section 17.32.060, the maximum height of any structure shall be thirty-five (35) feet.
Minimum front setback	10 ft § 17.12.040 · code text Front setback: Ten (10) feet.
Minimum side setback	10% of lot width, min 5 ft, max 15 ft § 17.12.040 · code text Side setback: Ten percent (10%) of the lot width, but in no event more than fifteen (15) feet or less than five (5) feet.
Minimum rear setback	10 ft § 17.12.040 · code text Rear setback: Ten (10) feet.
Minimum lot size	20,000 sq ft § 17.12.040 · code text The minimum area of any lot shall be twenty thousand (20,000) square feet, except as otherwise provided in Section 17.12.050, Density transfer, and Section 17.12.055, Clustered development, of this chapter.
Maximum lot coverage	25% § 17.12.040 · code text The maximum coverage by all structures on any lot shall be twenty-five percent (25%).
Maximum floor area ratio (FAR)	0.72 Applies: Total floor area of all buildings may not exceed 5,500 sq ft § 17.12.040 · code text The maximum floor area ratio of all buildings on a lot shall be 0.72; provided, however, that in no event shall the floor area of all buildings on a lot exceed five thousand five hundred (5,500) square feet.
Maximum density	1 unit per lot Applies: single-family dwelling § 17.12.040 · code text Not more than one single-family dwelling shall be located on each lot in the R-BA District.

When a different number applies

The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in R-BA:

Maximum building height: 20 ft — for a distance of 20 feet from the front lot line, measured from finish grade § 17.12.040
Maximum building height: 20 ft — Residential structures on sites sloping down from the street, within 20 ft of the front lot line; measured above the center of the street § 17.12.040
Maximum building height: 15 ft — garages and carports; measured above the elevation of the center of the adjacent street § 17.12.040
Minimum side setback: 10 ft — garages or carports accessed from a street or alley along that side of the lot § 17.12.040

Not on this page

We did not find a general stories limit for R-BA in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Brisbane Municipal Code.

Other Brisbane zoning districts

Who this affects

HomeownersArchitects and designersDevelopersReal estate agents

Frequently asked questions

What is the maximum building height in Brisbane's R-BA zone?

35 ft — Brisbane Municipal Code § 17.12.040.

What is the minimum front setback in Brisbane's R-BA zone?

10 ft — Brisbane Municipal Code § 17.12.040.

What is the minimum side setback in Brisbane's R-BA zone?

10% of lot width, min 5 ft, max 15 ft — Brisbane Municipal Code § 17.12.040.

What is the minimum rear setback in Brisbane's R-BA zone?

10 ft — Brisbane Municipal Code § 17.12.040.

What is the minimum lot size in Brisbane's R-BA zone?

20,000 sq ft — Brisbane Municipal Code § 17.12.040.

General information, not legal advice.