Downey · Zoning · R-1 — 5,000
Downey R-1 — 5,000 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Downey's R-1 — 5,000 zone, buildings can be up to 28 ft tall, the front setback is 20 ft and the minimum lot size is 5,000 sq ft (Downey code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 28 ft
- Minimum front setback: 20 ft
- Minimum side setback: 10% of lot width, min 5 ft, max 14 ft
- Minimum rear setback: 20 ft
- Minimum lot size: 5,000 sq ft
- Maximum lot coverage: 45%
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 0.45
R-1 — 5,000 (R-1) is a zoning district in Downey. Every value below was read from the Downey 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-1 — 5,000
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 § 9312.08 · code textTable row “main building”, column “R-1 — 5,000”: 28' |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 20 ft § 9312.08 · code textTable row “Front setback (1st floor) — minimum (feet) c,d”, column “R-1 — 5,000”: 20' |
| Minimum side setback | 10% of lot width, min 5 ft, max 14 ft § 9312.08 · code textTable row “Side setback (1st floor) — minimum (feet) e,f”, column “R-1 — 5,000”: 10% lot width, but not less than 5 feet and not to exceed 14 feet |
| Minimum rear setback | 20 ft § 9312.08 · code textTable row “Rear setback — minimum (feet) d”, column “R-1 — 5,000”: 20' |
| Minimum lot size | 5,000 sq ft § 9312.08 · code textTable row “Lot area — minimum (sq. ft.)”, column “R-1 — 5,000”: 5,000 |
| Maximum lot coverage | 45% § 9312.08 · code textTable row “Lot coverage — maximum”, column “R-1 — 5,000”: 45% |
| Maximum floor area ratio (FAR) | 0.45 § 9312.08 · code textTable row “Floor area ratio — maximum a”, column “R-1 — 5,000”: 0.45 |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in R-1 — 5,000:
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 0.50 — Single-family dwelling units providing renewable energy sources that provide 50% or greater of a parcel's annual energy requirements § 9312.08
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, density limit for R-1 — 5,000 in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Downey Municipal Code.
Other Downey zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Downey's R-1 — 5,000 zone?
28 ft — Downey Municipal Code § 9312.08.
What is the minimum front setback in Downey's R-1 — 5,000 zone?
20 ft — Downey Municipal Code § 9312.08.
What is the minimum side setback in Downey's R-1 — 5,000 zone?
10% of lot width, min 5 ft, max 14 ft — Downey Municipal Code § 9312.08.
What is the minimum rear setback in Downey's R-1 — 5,000 zone?
20 ft — Downey Municipal Code § 9312.08.
What is the minimum lot size in Downey's R-1 — 5,000 zone?
5,000 sq ft — Downey Municipal Code § 9312.08.
General information, not legal advice.
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