Ceres · Zoning · R-1
Ceres R-1 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Ceres's R-1 zone, generally buildings can be up to 25 ft (2 stories) tall, the front setback is 20 ft and the minimum lot size is 6,200 sq ft, with the conditions listed below (Ceres code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 25 ft (Main building; or two stories, whichever is less)
- Maximum number of stories: 2 stories (Main building; or 25 feet, whichever is less)
- Minimum front setback: 20 ft
- Minimum side setback: 12 ft on one side, 5 ft on the other (Lots with two interior side yards)
- Minimum rear setback: 15% of lot depth, not exceeding 25 ft
- Minimum lot size: 6,200 sq ft (Interior lots)
- Maximum lot coverage: 40% (An extra 10% of lot size is allowed for accessory structures on single-family lots once the dwelling reaches 40%)
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 0.40 (Single-story buildings and the first story of multiple-story buildings, interior and corner lots)
- Maximum density: 1 unit per 6,200 sq ft
R-1 (Single-Family Residential Zone) is a zoning district in Ceres. Every value below was read from the Ceres 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-1
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 | 25 ft Applies: Main building; or two stories, whichever is less § 18.08.060 · code textNo main building shall have a height greater than two stories or 25 feet; whichever is less as defined under section 18.02.010 of this title. |
|---|---|
| Maximum number of stories | 2 stories Applies: Main building; or 25 feet, whichever is less § 18.08.060 · code textNo main building shall have a height greater than two stories or 25 feet; whichever is less as defined under section 18.02.010 of this title. |
| Minimum front setback | 20 ft § 18.08.060 · code textTwenty feet minimum, except detached accessory structures shall have a 35-foot minimum front yard setback. |
| Minimum side setback | 12 ft on one side, 5 ft on the other Applies: Lots with two interior side yards § 18.08.060 · code textFor lots having two interior side yard areas, one such interior side yard shall have a setback of at least 12 feet, and the other interior side yard setback shall be at least five feet. |
| Minimum rear setback | 15% of lot depth, not exceeding 25 ft § 18.08.060 · code textMinimum 15 percent of lot depth, but not be required to exceed 25 feet maximum. |
| Minimum lot size | 6,200 sq ft Applies: Interior lots § 18.08.060 · code textFor interior lots, the minimum lot area shall be 6,200 square feet. |
| Maximum lot coverage | 40% Applies: An extra 10% of lot size is allowed for accessory structures on single-family lots once the dwelling reaches 40% § 18.08.060 · code textThe maximum allowable lot coverage by structures for all uses shall be 40 percent. |
| Maximum floor area ratio (FAR) | 0.40 Applies: Single-story buildings and the first story of multiple-story buildings, interior and corner lots § 18.08.060 · code textFor single story buildings and the first story of all multiple story buildings, the maximum allowable FAR shall be 0.40:1.0. |
| Maximum density | 1 unit per 6,200 sq ft § 18.08.060 · code textFor all residential uses, there shall be a minimum of 6,200 square feet of lot area for each dwelling unit. |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in R-1:
- Minimum front setback: 35 ft — Detached accessory structures § 18.08.060
- Minimum side setback: 12 ft — Lots having only one interior side yard § 18.08.060
- Minimum side setback: 5 ft — Garage space may be substituted for a portion of the required 12 feet; setback adjacent to garage space § 18.08.060
- Minimum side setback: 15 ft — Exterior side yard for main dwelling § 18.08.060
- Minimum side setback: 20 ft — Exterior side yard for garages and access parking areas § 18.08.060
- Minimum lot size: 7,500 sq ft — Corner lots § 18.08.060
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 0.54 — Interior lots; all two-story buildings § 18.08.060
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 0.64 — Corner lots; all two-story buildings § 18.08.060
Other Ceres zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Ceres's R-1 zone?
25 ft (main building; or two stories, whichever is less) — Ceres Municipal Code § 18.08.060.
What is the maximum number of stories in Ceres's R-1 zone?
2 stories (main building; or 25 feet, whichever is less) — Ceres Municipal Code § 18.08.060.
What is the minimum front setback in Ceres's R-1 zone?
20 ft — Ceres Municipal Code § 18.08.060.
What is the minimum side setback in Ceres's R-1 zone?
12 ft on one side, 5 ft on the other (lots with two interior side yards) — Ceres Municipal Code § 18.08.060.
What is the minimum rear setback in Ceres's R-1 zone?
15% of lot depth, not exceeding 25 ft — Ceres Municipal Code § 18.08.060.
General information, not legal advice.
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