Davis · Zoning · R-3-L
Davis R-3-L zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Davis's R-3-L zone, buildings can be up to 38 ft (3 stories) tall, the front setback is 20 ft and the minimum lot size is 7,500 sq ft (Davis code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 38 ft
- Maximum number of stories: 3 stories
- Minimum front setback: 20 ft
- Minimum side setback: 6 ft one side; 18 ft total both sides (Interior side yard; street side yard is 15 ft)
- Minimum rear setback: 15 ft (20 ft if the principal building is two or two and one-half stories; 25 ft if three or three and one-half stories)
- Minimum lot size: 7,500 sq ft
- Maximum lot coverage: 40%
- Maximum density: 1 unit per 900 sq ft (Efficiency apartment)
R-3-L (Residential Garden Apartment (R-3) District) 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-3-L
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 | 38 ft § 40.08.050 · code textNo principal building shall exceed three stories or thirty-eight feet in height. |
|---|---|
| Maximum number of stories | 3 stories § 40.08.050 · code textNo principal building shall exceed three stories or thirty-eight feet in height. |
| Minimum front setback | 20 ft § 40.08.060 · code text(e) Front yards. Zones R-3-L and R-3-M, twenty feet. |
| Minimum side setback | 6 ft one side; 18 ft total both sides Applies: Interior side yard; street side yard is 15 ft § 40.08.060 · code text(f) Side yards. Zones R-3-L and R-3-M. Street side yard, fifteen feet. Interior side yard, one side, six feet, total both sides, eighteen feet. If the principal building is three or three and one-half stories, one side, twelve feet, total both sides, thirty feet. |
| Minimum rear setback | 15 ft Applies: 20 ft if the principal building is two or two and one-half stories; 25 ft if three or three and one-half stories § 40.08.060 · code text(g) Rear yard. Zones R-3-L and R-3-M, fifteen feet. If the principal building is two or two and one-half stories, twenty feet. If the principal building is three or three and one-half stories, twenty-five feet. |
| Minimum lot size | 7,500 sq ft § 40.08.060 · code text(1) Zone R-3-L, seventy-five hundred square feet. |
| Maximum lot coverage | 40% § 40.08.060 · code text(c) Lot coverage. Forty percent. |
| Maximum density | 1 unit per 900 sq ft Applies: Efficiency apartment § 40.08.060 · code text(A) Efficiency apartment, nine hundred square feet. |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in R-3-L:
- Minimum side setback: 12 ft one side; 30 ft total both sides — If the principal building is three or three and one-half stories § 40.08.060
- Minimum rear setback: 20 ft — If the principal building is two or two and one-half stories § 40.08.060
- Minimum rear setback: 25 ft — If the principal building is three or three and one-half stories § 40.08.060
- Maximum density: 1 unit per 1,250 sq ft — One bedroom apartment § 40.08.060
- Maximum density: 1 unit per 1,400 sq ft — Two or more bedroom apartment § 40.08.060
Not on this page
We did not find a general FAR limit for R-3-L 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-3-L zone?
38 ft — Davis Municipal Code § 40.08.050.
What is the maximum number of stories in Davis's R-3-L zone?
3 stories — Davis Municipal Code § 40.08.050.
What is the minimum front setback in Davis's R-3-L zone?
20 ft — Davis Municipal Code § 40.08.060.
What is the minimum side setback in Davis's R-3-L zone?
6 ft one side; 18 ft total both sides (interior side yard; street side yard is 15 ft) — Davis Municipal Code § 40.08.060.
What is the minimum rear setback in Davis's R-3-L zone?
15 ft (20 ft if the principal building is two or two and one-half stories; 25 ft if three or three and one-half stories) — Davis Municipal Code § 40.08.060.
General information, not legal advice.
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