Davis · Zoning · R-2-CD
Davis R-2-CD zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Davis's R-2-CD zone, generally buildings can be up to 30 ft (2 stories) tall, the front setback is Average of neighboring buildings and the minimum lot size is 5,250 sq ft, with the conditions listed below (Davis code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 30 ft
- Maximum number of stories: 2 stories
- Minimum front setback: Average of neighboring buildings (Whichever is less restrictive: average of homes within 100 ft on both sides of the street, or average of the two adjacent buildings)
- Minimum side setback: 5 ft (Interior side yard; both sides together at least 12 ft; street side yard 10 ft with planting strip, 15 ft without)
- Minimum rear setback: 20 ft (First story of a primary structure)
- Minimum lot size: 5,250 sq ft (Old East Davis, all lots)
- Maximum lot coverage: 40% (an accessory structure with the primary structure may bring coverage up to 50%)
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 40% plus 500 sq ft for a garage or carport
R-2-CD (RESIDENTIAL ONE- AND TWO-FAMILY CONSERVATION) is a zoning district in Davis. Every value below was read from the Davis 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-2-CD
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 | 30 ft § 40.04A.050 · code textNo principal building shall exceed two stories or thirty feet in height. |
|---|---|
| Maximum number of stories | 2 stories § 40.04A.050 · code textNo principal building shall exceed two stories or thirty feet in height. |
| Minimum front setback | Average of neighboring buildings Applies: Whichever is less restrictive: average of homes within 100 ft on both sides of the street, or average of the two adjacent buildings § 40.04A.060 · code textThe front yard setback is equal to the average front setback of all residences on both sides of the street within one hundred feet of the property lines of the new project; or |
| Minimum side setback | 5 ft Applies: Interior side yard; both sides together at least 12 ft; street side yard 10 ft with planting strip, 15 ft without § 40.04A.060 · code textThe minimum side yard setback for any primary or accessory structure with an interior side yard shall be five feet, and the total side yard setback shall be a minimum of twelve feet. |
| Minimum rear setback | 20 ft Applies: First story of a primary structure § 40.04A.060 · code textExcept as otherwise provided for in this section, the minimum rear yard setback for the first story of a primary structure shall be twenty feet. |
| Minimum lot size | 5,250 sq ft Applies: Old East Davis, all lots § 40.04A.060 · code textIn Old East Davis, the minimum lot size for all lots shall be five thousand two hundred fifty square feet. |
| Maximum lot coverage | 40% Applies: an accessory structure with the primary structure may bring coverage up to 50% § 40.04A.060 · code textLot coverage shall not exceed forty percent, except that an accessory structure may, in combination with the primary structure, exceed the otherwise applicable maximum lot coverage, up to a maximum of fifty percent. |
| Maximum floor area ratio (FAR) | 40% plus 500 sq ft for a garage or carport § 40.04A.060 · code textFAR shall not exceed forty percent in addition to five hundred square feet for a garage or carport. |
Uses in R-2-CD
Uses the code's use tables allow in R-2-CD, or allow with a permit. Each links to its page with the code section.
- Child care center — Needs a conditional use permit
- Growing crops — Allowed — see note
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in R-2-CD:
- Minimum side setback: 10 ft — Two-story portion, or portion of a single-story structure exceeding 20 feet in height § 40.04A.060
- Minimum rear setback: 25 ft — Portion of a structure over one story § 40.04A.060
- Minimum rear setback: 5 ft — Corner lots, if the required unimproved rear-yard area is provided § 40.04A.060
- Minimum lot size: 5,625 sq ft — Old North Davis, lot adjoining an alley § 40.04A.060
- Minimum lot size: 6,000 sq ft — Old North Davis, lot not adjoining an alley § 40.04A.060
- Maximum lot coverage: 50% — Accessory structure in combination with the primary structure § 40.04A.060
Not on this page
We did not find a general density limit for R-2-CD in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Davis Municipal Code.
Other Davis zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Davis's R-2-CD zone?
30 ft — Davis Municipal Code § 40.04A.050.
What is the maximum number of stories in Davis's R-2-CD zone?
2 stories — Davis Municipal Code § 40.04A.050.
What is the minimum front setback in Davis's R-2-CD zone?
Average of neighboring buildings (whichever is less restrictive: average of homes within 100 ft on both sides of the street, or average of the two adjacent buildings) — Davis Municipal Code § 40.04A.060.
What is the minimum side setback in Davis's R-2-CD zone?
5 ft (interior side yard; both sides together at least 12 ft; street side yard 10 ft with planting strip, 15 ft without) — Davis Municipal Code § 40.04A.060.
What is the minimum rear setback in Davis's R-2-CD zone?
20 ft (first story of a primary structure) — Davis Municipal Code § 40.04A.060.
General information, not legal advice.
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