Chula Vista R-E zoning: height, setbacks and lot size

R-E (RESIDENTIAL ESTATES 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 R-E

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	28 ft § 19.22.060 · code text Principal buildings may not exceed two and one-half stories or 28 feet in height.
Minimum front setback	25 ft Applies: The building line map setback takes precedence § 19.22.070 · code text Table row “R-E 4A”, column “Front”: 25*
Minimum side setback	10 ft Applies: One side yard, plain R-E classification; both side yards together at least 20 ft. R-E 4A, 2A and 40: 15 ft and 30 ft § 19.22.070 · code text Table row “R-E 4A”, column “One Side Yard”: 15
Minimum rear setback	25 ft § 19.22.070 · code text Table row “R-E 4A”, column “Rear”: 25
Minimum lot size	20,000 sq ft Applies: Plain R-E classification; R-E 40, 2A and 4A need 40,000 sq ft, 2 acres and 4 acres § 19.22.070 · code text Table row “R-E 4A”, column “Lot Area (sq. ft.)”: 4 acres
Maximum lot coverage	40% § 19.22.070 · code text All buildings, including accessory buildings and structures, in the residential estates zone shall not cover more than 40 percent of the lot;
Maximum floor area ratio (FAR)	45% Applies: single-family dwellings on lots of 7,000 square feet or greater § 19.22.160 · code text Construction of dwellings or any remodeling or additions to existing dwellings shall have a floor area ratio (FAR) which limits the maximum building area to 45 percent of the lot area for single-family dwellings on lots of 7,000 square feet or greater and 50 percent of the lot area or 3,150 square feet, whichever is less, for single-family dwellings on lots of less than 7,000 square feet.

When a different number applies

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

Minimum lot size: 2 acres — R-E 2A § 19.22.070
Minimum lot size: 40,000 sq. ft. — R-E 40 § 19.22.070
Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 50% of lot area or 3,150 sq. ft., whichever is less — single-family dwellings on lots of less than 7,000 square feet § 19.22.160

Not on this page

We did not find a general stories, density limit for R-E 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

HomeownersArchitects and designersDevelopersReal estate agents

Frequently asked questions

What is the maximum building height in Chula Vista's R-E zone?

28 ft — Chula Vista Municipal Code § 19.22.060.

What is the minimum front setback in Chula Vista's R-E zone?

25 ft (the building line map setback takes precedence) — Chula Vista Municipal Code § 19.22.070.

What is the minimum side setback in Chula Vista's R-E zone?

10 ft (one side yard, plain R-E classification; both side yards together at least 20 ft. R-E 4A, 2A and 40: 15 ft and 30 ft) — Chula Vista Municipal Code § 19.22.070.

What is the minimum rear setback in Chula Vista's R-E zone?

25 ft — Chula Vista Municipal Code § 19.22.070.

What is the minimum lot size in Chula Vista's R-E zone?

20,000 sq ft (plain R-E classification; R-E 40, 2A and 4A need 40,000 sq ft, 2 acres and 4 acres) — Chula Vista Municipal Code § 19.22.070.

General information, not legal advice.