Cupertino · Zoning · R1-5
Cupertino R1-5 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Cupertino's R1-5 zone, generally buildings can be up to 28 ft (2 stories) tall and the front setback is 20 ft, with the conditions listed below (Cupertino code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 28 ft
- Maximum number of stories: 2 stories
- Minimum front setback: 20 ft (First floor; the second floor needs 25 ft)
- Minimum side setback: 5 ft on both sides (Interior lot, first floor; second floor needs 25 ft combined, at least 10 ft each side)
- Minimum rear setback: 20 ft (may be reduced to 10 ft with a Minor Residential Permit if usable rear yard stays at least 20 times the lot width)
- Maximum lot coverage: 45% (Of net lot area; 5% more is allowed for open features like roof overhangs, patios and porches)
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 45% of net lot area (A housing development project on a lot with a slope of 30% or greater must stay within the floor area allowed under Chapter 19.40)
R1-5 is a zoning district in Cupertino. Every value below was read from the Cupertino 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 R1-5
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 § 19.28.070 · code textTable row “1. Total principal building height”, column “R1-5”: 28 feet, no more than two stories |
|---|---|
| Maximum number of stories | 2 stories § 19.28.070 · code textTable row “1. Total principal building height”, column “R1-5”: 28 feet, no more than two stories |
| Minimum front setback | 20 ft Applies: First floor; the second floor needs 25 ft § 19.28.070 · code textTable row “a. Minimum setback”, column “R1-5”: 20 feet |
| Minimum side setback | 5 ft on both sides Applies: Interior lot, first floor; second floor needs 25 ft combined, at least 10 ft each side § 19.28.070 · code textTable row “a. Interior lot”, column “R1-5”: 5 feet on both sides |
| Minimum rear setback | 20 ft Applies: may be reduced to 10 ft with a Minor Residential Permit if usable rear yard stays at least 20 times the lot width § 19.28.070 · code textTable row “3. Rear yard”, column “R1-5”: a. 20 feet i. May be reduced to 10 feet, with a Minor Residential Permit, subject to Chapter 19.12, if, after the reduction, the usable rear yard area is not less than 20 times the lot width as measured from the front setback line. |
| Maximum lot coverage | 45% Applies: Of net lot area; 5% more is allowed for open features like roof overhangs, patios and porches § 19.28.070 · code textTable row “A. Maximum lot coverage”, column “R1-5”: 1. 45% of the net lot area a. An additional 5% is allowed for roof overhangs, patios, porches, and other similar features not enclosed on by walls on at least three (3) sides |
| Maximum floor area ratio (FAR) | 45% of net lot area Applies: A housing development project on a lot with a slope of 30% or greater must stay within the floor area allowed under Chapter 19.40 § 19.28.070 · code textTable row “B. Maximum floor area ratio”, column “R1-5”: 1. 45% of the net lot area, however, a housing development project on a lot having a slope 30% or greater shall not exceed the floor area allowed under Chapter 19.40. |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in R1-5:
- Maximum building height: 18 ft — Areas the City Council marks with an i suffix on the zoning symbol § 19.28.070
- Maximum number of stories: 1 story — Areas the City Council marks with an i suffix on the zoning symbol § 19.28.070
- Minimum side setback: 5 ft — corner lot, interior side § 19.28.070
- Minimum rear setback: 10 ft — may be reduced with a Minor Residential Permit if usable rear yard area is not less than 20 times the lot width § 19.28.070
Not on this page
We did not find a general lot size, density limit for R1-5 in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Cupertino Municipal Code.
Other Cupertino zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Cupertino's R1-5 zone?
28 ft — Cupertino Municipal Code § 19.28.070.
What is the maximum number of stories in Cupertino's R1-5 zone?
2 stories — Cupertino Municipal Code § 19.28.070.
What is the minimum front setback in Cupertino's R1-5 zone?
20 ft (first floor; the second floor needs 25 ft) — Cupertino Municipal Code § 19.28.070.
What is the minimum side setback in Cupertino's R1-5 zone?
5 ft on both sides (interior lot, first floor; second floor needs 25 ft combined, at least 10 ft each side) — Cupertino Municipal Code § 19.28.070.
What is the minimum rear setback in Cupertino's R1-5 zone?
20 ft (may be reduced to 10 ft with a Minor Residential Permit if usable rear yard stays at least 20 times the lot width) — Cupertino Municipal Code § 19.28.070.
General information, not legal advice.
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