Coachella R-D zoning: height, setbacks and lot size

R-D (Resort District) is a zoning district in Coachella. Every value below was read from the Coachella 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-D

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	50 ft Applies: Buildings other than hotels; 35 ft within 50 ft of a single-family or agricultural zone § 17.17.030 · code text Notwithstanding the above, the maximum height of any building located within fifty (50) feet of any single-family residential zone, or any agricultural zone, shall be two-and-one-half stories or thirty-five (35) feet, whichever is less.
Maximum number of stories	4 stories Applies: Buildings other than hotels; two and a half stories within 50 ft of a single-family or agricultural zone § 17.17.030 · code text The maximum height of hotel buildings shall be seven stories or eighty-five (85) feet, whichever is less. The maximum height of all other buildings shall be four stories or fifty (50) feet, whichever is less.
Minimum front setback	15 ft Applies: increased to the average of the adjoining zones' front yards where one or both adjoining zones are residential § 17.17.030 · code text Each lot or building site shall have a front yard of at least fifteen (15) feet in depth, except where one or both adjoining zones are residential, in which case the required yard shall be increased to equal the average of the required front yards of the adjoining zones.
Minimum side setback	None required Applies: 10 ft on sides adjoining a street or a residential zone § 17.17.030 · code text There shall be no side yard requirement except where a R-D zone adjoins a street or a residential zone, in which case there shall be a side yard of not less than ten (10) feet on the side or sides adjoining said street or residential zones.
Minimum rear setback	None required Applies: 10 ft where the zone adjoins a residential zone § 17.17.030 · code text There shall be no rear yard requirement except where the R-D zone adjoins a residential zone, in which case there shall be a rear yard of not less than ten (10) feet adjoining that residential zone.
Minimum lot size	10,000 sq ft § 17.17.030 · code text The minimum lot size shall be ten thousand (10,000) square feet.
Maximum lot coverage	No limit § 17.17.030 · code text Maximum Lot Coverage. None.
Maximum floor area ratio (FAR)	0.1 Applies: Non-residential uses § 17.17.030 · code text Maximum non-residential FAR. 0.1; an increase to 0.75 may be granted for theme parks and other entertainment related uses.
Maximum density	8 dwelling units/acre § 17.17.030 · code text Maximum Density. Eight (8) dwelling units/acre.

When a different number applies

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

Maximum building height: 85 ft — hotel buildings; subject to the maximum of 7 stories, whichever is less § 17.17.030
Minimum front setback: average of the required front yards of the adjoining zones — one or both adjoining zones are residential § 17.17.030
Minimum side setback: 10 ft — R-D zone adjoins a street or a residential zone; on the side or sides adjoining said street or residential zones § 17.17.030
Minimum side setback: required front yard of the adjoining key lot to the rear — reversed corner lot; side yard adjoining the street § 17.17.030
Minimum rear setback: 10 ft — Where the zone adjoins a residential zone; not where a public alley separates them § 17.17.030
Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 0.75 — An increase may be granted for theme parks and other entertainment uses § 17.17.030

Other Coachella zoning districts

Who this affects

HomeownersArchitects and designersDevelopersReal estate agents

Frequently asked questions

What is the maximum building height in Coachella's R-D zone?

50 ft (buildings other than hotels; 35 ft within 50 ft of a single-family or agricultural zone) — Coachella Municipal Code § 17.17.030.

What is the maximum number of stories in Coachella's R-D zone?

4 stories (buildings other than hotels; two and a half stories within 50 ft of a single-family or agricultural zone) — Coachella Municipal Code § 17.17.030.

What is the minimum front setback in Coachella's R-D zone?

15 ft (increased to the average of the adjoining zones' front yards where one or both adjoining zones are residential) — Coachella Municipal Code § 17.17.030.

What is the minimum side setback in Coachella's R-D zone?

None required (10 ft on sides adjoining a street or a residential zone) — Coachella Municipal Code § 17.17.030.

What is the minimum rear setback in Coachella's R-D zone?

None required (10 ft where the zone adjoins a residential zone) — Coachella Municipal Code § 17.17.030.

General information, not legal advice.