Chula Vista · Zoning · I-R
Chula Vista I-R zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Chula Vista's I-R zone, generally buildings can be up to 45 ft (three and one-half stories) tall and the front setback is 20 ft, with the conditions listed below (Chula Vista code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 45 ft (More than 200 feet from a residential zone or land planned for residential use)
- Maximum number of stories: three and one-half stories (More than 200 feet from a residential zone or land planned for residential use)
- Minimum front setback: 20 ft (Buildings; the setback on the adopted building line map takes precedence)
- Minimum side setback: 20 ft
- Minimum rear setback: 25 ft
- Maximum lot coverage: 40%
I-R (Research Industrial Zone) is a zoning district in Chula Vista. Every value below was read from the Chula Vista 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 I-R
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 | 45 ft Applies: More than 200 feet from a residential zone or land planned for residential use § 19.42.070 · code textNo structure shall exceed three and one-half stories or 45 feet in height; however, no structure shall exceed two stories or 35 feet in height when located within 200 feet of any residential zone or any area designated for future residential development on the General Plan, except as provided in CVMC 19.16.040. |
|---|---|
| Maximum number of stories | three and one-half stories Applies: More than 200 feet from a residential zone or land planned for residential use § 19.42.070 · code textNo structure shall exceed three and one-half stories or 45 feet in height; however, no structure shall exceed two stories or 35 feet in height when located within 200 feet of any residential zone or any area designated for future residential development on the General Plan, except as provided in CVMC 19.16.040. |
| Minimum front setback | 20 ft Applies: Buildings; the setback on the adopted building line map takes precedence § 19.42.080 · code textTable row “20,000”, column “Front”: Buildings 20* |
| Minimum side setback | 20 ft § 19.42.080 · code textTable row “20,000”, column “Feet Side”: 20 |
| Minimum rear setback | 25 ft § 19.42.080 · code textTable row “20,000”, column “Rear”: 25 |
| Maximum lot coverage | 40% § 19.42.080 · code textTable row “20,000”, column “Lot Coverage (max. %)”: 40 |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in I-R:
- Maximum building height: 35 ft — Within 200 feet of a residential zone or land planned for residential use; also limited to two stories § 19.42.070
Not on this page
We did not find a general lot size, FAR, density limit for I-R in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Chula Vista Municipal Code.
Other Chula Vista zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Chula Vista's I-R zone?
45 ft (more than 200 feet from a residential zone or land planned for residential use) — Chula Vista Municipal Code § 19.42.070.
What is the maximum number of stories in Chula Vista's I-R zone?
three and one-half stories (more than 200 feet from a residential zone or land planned for residential use) — Chula Vista Municipal Code § 19.42.070.
What is the minimum front setback in Chula Vista's I-R zone?
20 ft (buildings; the setback on the adopted building line map takes precedence) — Chula Vista Municipal Code § 19.42.080.
What is the minimum side setback in Chula Vista's I-R zone?
20 ft — Chula Vista Municipal Code § 19.42.080.
What is the minimum rear setback in Chula Vista's I-R zone?
25 ft — Chula Vista Municipal Code § 19.42.080.
General information, not legal advice.
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