Ceres · Zoning · R-3
Ceres R-3 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Ceres's R-3 zone, generally buildings can be up to 40 ft (3 stories) tall, the front setback is 20 ft and the minimum lot size is 6,000 sq ft, with the conditions listed below (Ceres code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 40 ft (Main building; maximum is three stories or 40 feet, whichever is less)
- Maximum number of stories: 3 stories (Main building; maximum is three stories or 40 feet, whichever is less)
- Minimum front setback: 20 ft
- Minimum side setback: 12 ft and 5 ft (For lots having two interior side yard areas, one interior side yard must be at least 12 feet and the other at least 5 feet)
- Minimum rear setback: 20% of lot depth, maximum 25 ft
- Minimum lot size: 6,000 sq ft (For all principal uses)
- Maximum lot coverage: 50% (All other interior lots)
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 0.40:1.0 (Single-family and two-family lots, interior or corner; single-story buildings and the first story of multiple-story buildings.)
- Maximum density: 12 dwelling units/acre (All residential uses)
R-3 (Medium Density Multiple-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-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 | 40 ft Applies: Main building; maximum is three stories or 40 feet, whichever is less § 18.10.060 · code textNo main building erected shall have a height greater than three stories or 40 feet, whichever is less, as defined under section 18.02.010 of this title. |
|---|---|
| Maximum number of stories | 3 stories Applies: Main building; maximum is three stories or 40 feet, whichever is less § 18.10.060 · code textNo main building erected shall have a height greater than three stories or 40 feet, whichever is less, as defined under section 18.02.010 of this title. |
| Minimum front setback | 20 ft § 18.10.060 · code textFront yard. Twenty feet minimum, except detached accessory structures shall have a 35-foot minimum front yard setback. |
| Minimum side setback | 12 ft and 5 ft Applies: For lots having two interior side yard areas, one interior side yard must be at least 12 feet and the other at least 5 feet § 18.10.060 · 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 | 20% of lot depth, maximum 25 ft § 18.10.060 · code textMinimum 20 percent of lot depth, but not be required to exceed 25 feet maximum. |
| Minimum lot size | 6,000 sq ft Applies: For all principal uses § 18.10.060 · code textFor all principal uses, the minimum lot area shall be 6,000 square feet. |
| Maximum lot coverage | 50% Applies: All other interior lots § 18.10.060 · code textFor all other interior lots, 50 percent. |
| Maximum floor area ratio (FAR) | 0.40:1.0 Applies: Single-family and two-family lots, interior or corner; single-story buildings and the first story of multiple-story buildings. § 18.10.060 · 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 | 12 dwelling units/acre Applies: All residential uses § 18.10.060 · code textFor all residential uses, the density shall not exceed 12 dwelling units/acre, the maximum density permitted for properties designated medium-high density residential (seven to 12 dwelling units/acre) in the general plan. |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in R-3:
- Minimum side setback: 12 ft — Lots having only one interior side yard § 18.10.060
- Minimum side setback: 20 ft — Exterior side yard § 18.10.060
- Maximum lot coverage: 45% — All other corner lots § 18.10.060
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 0.54:1.0 — Single-family and two-family interior lots; all two-story buildings § 18.10.060
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 0.64:1.0 — Single-family and two-family corner lots; all two-story buildings § 18.10.060
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 0.50:1.0 — All other interior lots; single-story buildings and first story of all multiple-story buildings § 18.10.060
Other Ceres zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Ceres's R-3 zone?
40 ft (main building; maximum is three stories or 40 feet, whichever is less) — Ceres Municipal Code § 18.10.060.
What is the maximum number of stories in Ceres's R-3 zone?
3 stories (main building; maximum is three stories or 40 feet, whichever is less) — Ceres Municipal Code § 18.10.060.
What is the minimum front setback in Ceres's R-3 zone?
20 ft — Ceres Municipal Code § 18.10.060.
What is the minimum side setback in Ceres's R-3 zone?
12 ft and 5 ft (for lots having two interior side yard areas, one interior side yard must be at least 12 feet and the other at least 5 feet) — Ceres Municipal Code § 18.10.060.
What is the minimum rear setback in Ceres's R-3 zone?
20% of lot depth, maximum 25 ft — Ceres Municipal Code § 18.10.060.
General information, not legal advice.
Ask about a Ceres 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