Davis · Zoning · R-HD
Davis R-HD zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Davis's R-HD zone, generally buildings can be up to 100 ft tall, the front setback is 10 ft and the minimum lot size is 7,500 sq ft, with the conditions listed below (Davis code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 100 ft
- Minimum front setback: 10 ft (Add 1 ft for each 3 ft the building is taller than 12 ft.)
- Minimum side setback: 5 ft (Interior side yard; street side yard is 10 ft; add 1 ft for each 3 ft the building is taller than 12 ft.)
- Minimum rear setback: 10 ft (Add 1 ft for each 3 ft the building is taller than 12 ft.)
- Minimum lot size: 7,500 sq ft
- Maximum lot coverage: 50%
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 2.0
- Maximum density: 1 unit per 500 sq ft (Efficiency apartment)
R-HD (RESIDENTIAL HIGH DENSITY APARTMENT) 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-HD
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 | 100 ft § 40.09.050 · code textNo building shall exceed one hundred feet in height, except as provided in Section 40.27.030. |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 10 ft Applies: Add 1 ft for each 3 ft the building is taller than 12 ft. § 40.09.060 · code text(1) Front Yard. Ten feet, except as modified by Section 40.27.050. |
| Minimum side setback | 5 ft Applies: Interior side yard; street side yard is 10 ft; add 1 ft for each 3 ft the building is taller than 12 ft. § 40.09.060 · code text(2) Side Yard, Interior. Five feet. |
| Minimum rear setback | 10 ft Applies: Add 1 ft for each 3 ft the building is taller than 12 ft. § 40.09.060 · code text(4) Rear Yard. Ten feet. |
| Minimum lot size | 7,500 sq ft § 40.09.060 · code text(a) Lot area. Seventy-five hundred square feet. |
| Maximum lot coverage | 50% § 40.09.060 · code text(e) Maximum lot coverage. Fifty percent. |
| Maximum floor area ratio (FAR) | 2.0 § 40.09.060 · code text(d) Floor area ratio. The floor area of the building shall not exceed two times the area of the lot. |
| Maximum density | 1 unit per 500 sq ft Applies: Efficiency apartment § 40.09.060 · code text(1) Efficiency apartment, five hundred square feet. |
Uses in R-HD
Uses the code's use tables allow in R-HD, or allow with a permit. Each links to its page with the code section.
- Rooming or boarding house — Allowed
- Child care center — Needs a conditional use permit
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in R-HD:
- Maximum density: 1 unit per 700 sq ft — One bedroom apartment § 40.09.060
- Maximum density: 1 unit per 800 sq ft — Two bedroom apartment § 40.09.060
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories limit for R-HD 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-HD zone?
100 ft — Davis Municipal Code § 40.09.050.
What is the minimum front setback in Davis's R-HD zone?
10 ft (add 1 ft for each 3 ft the building is taller than 12 ft) — Davis Municipal Code § 40.09.060.
What is the minimum side setback in Davis's R-HD zone?
5 ft (interior side yard; street side yard is 10 ft; add 1 ft for each 3 ft the building is taller than 12 ft) — Davis Municipal Code § 40.09.060.
What is the minimum rear setback in Davis's R-HD zone?
10 ft (add 1 ft for each 3 ft the building is taller than 12 ft) — Davis Municipal Code § 40.09.060.
What is the minimum lot size in Davis's R-HD zone?
7,500 sq ft — Davis Municipal Code § 40.09.060.
General information, not legal advice.
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