Ceres · Zoning · R-4
Ceres R-4 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Ceres's R-4 zone, generally buildings can be up to 35 ft (3 stories) tall, the front setback is 20 ft and the minimum lot size is 5,300 sq ft, with the conditions listed below (Ceres code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 35 ft (Three stories or 35 ft, whichever is less.)
- Maximum number of stories: 3 stories (Three stories or 35 ft, whichever is less.)
- Minimum front setback: 20 ft
- Minimum side setback: 12 ft and 5 ft (Lots with two interior side yards: one at least 12 ft and the other at least 5 ft.)
- Minimum rear setback: 20% of lot depth, max 25 ft
- Minimum lot size: 5,300 sq ft
- Maximum lot coverage: 60% (Interior lots; 54% on corner lots; single- and two-family lots 40% (plus 10% of lot area for accessory structures))
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 0.50 (single-story buildings and first story of all multiple story buildings on two-family interior lots)
- Maximum density: 20 dwelling units/acre (all residential uses)
R-4 (Medium-High 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-4
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 Applies: Three stories or 35 ft, whichever is less. § 18.11.060 · code textNo main building or accessory building erected shall have a height greater than three stories or thirty-five feet, whichever is less. |
|---|---|
| Maximum number of stories | 3 stories Applies: Three stories or 35 ft, whichever is less. § 18.11.060 · code textNo main building or accessory building erected shall have a height greater than three stories or thirty-five feet, whichever is less. |
| Minimum front setback | 20 ft § 18.11.060 · code textFront yard. 20 feet minimum, except detached accessory structures shall have a 354 foot minimum front yard setback. |
| Minimum side setback | 12 ft and 5 ft Applies: Lots with two interior side yards: one at least 12 ft and the other at least 5 ft. § 18.11.060 · 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, max 25 ft § 18.11.060 · code textMinimum 20 percent of lot depth, but not be required to exceed 25 feet maximum. |
| Minimum lot size | 5,300 sq ft § 18.11.060 · code textFor all principal uses, the minimum lot area shall be 5,300 square feet. |
| Maximum lot coverage | 60% Applies: Interior lots; 54% on corner lots; single- and two-family lots 40% (plus 10% of lot area for accessory structures) § 18.11.060 · code textFor single-family and two-family lots, the maximum allowable lot coverage by structures for all uses shall be 40 percent. |
| Maximum floor area ratio (FAR) | 0.50 Applies: single-story buildings and first story of all multiple story buildings on two-family interior lots § 18.11.060 · code textFor single-story buildings and the first story of all multiple story buildings, the maximum allowable FAR shall be 0.50:1.0. |
| Maximum density | 20 dwelling units/acre Applies: all residential uses § 18.11.060 · code textFor all residential uses, the density shall not exceed 20 dwelling units/acre. |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in R-4:
- Minimum side setback: 12 ft — lots having only one interior side yard § 18.11.060
- Minimum side setback: 20 ft — exterior side yard § 18.11.060
- Maximum lot coverage: 54% — all other corner lots § 18.11.060
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 0.64 — two-story buildings on single-family lots § 18.11.060
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 0.96 — three-story buildings on single-family lots § 18.11.060
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 0.80 — two-story buildings on two-family interior lots § 18.11.060
Other Ceres zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Ceres's R-4 zone?
35 ft (three stories or 35 ft, whichever is less) — Ceres Municipal Code § 18.11.060.
What is the maximum number of stories in Ceres's R-4 zone?
3 stories (three stories or 35 ft, whichever is less) — Ceres Municipal Code § 18.11.060.
What is the minimum front setback in Ceres's R-4 zone?
20 ft — Ceres Municipal Code § 18.11.060.
What is the minimum side setback in Ceres's R-4 zone?
12 ft and 5 ft (lots with two interior side yards: one at least 12 ft and the other at least 5 ft) — Ceres Municipal Code § 18.11.060.
What is the minimum rear setback in Ceres's R-4 zone?
20% of lot depth, max 25 ft — Ceres Municipal Code § 18.11.060.
General information, not legal advice.
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