El Centro · Zoning · R3
El Centro R3 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In El Centro's R3 zone, generally buildings can be up to 45 ft tall, the front setback is 15 ft and the minimum lot size is 3,600 sq ft, with the conditions listed below (El Centro code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 45 ft
- Minimum front setback: 15 ft (any habitable portion of residence and side-loading garages)
- Minimum side setback: 5 ft (interior side)
- Minimum rear setback: 15 ft (lots not abutting a freeway; 50 ft where the lot abuts a freeway)
- Minimum lot size: 3,600 sq ft (single-family detached dwelling; a subdivided infill lot may be 90 percent of this minimum)
- Maximum lot coverage: 60%
- Maximum density: 25 units per acre
R3 is a zoning district in El Centro. Every value below was read from the El Centro 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 R3
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 | 45 ft § 29-54 · code textTable row “(g) Maximum building height, in feet”, column “R3”: 45 |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 15 ft Applies: any habitable portion of residence and side-loading garages § 29-54 · code textTable row “a. Any habitable portion of residence and side-loading garages”, column “R3”: 15 |
| Minimum side setback | 5 ft Applies: interior side § 29-54 · code textTable row “a. Interior side”, column “R3”: 5 |
| Minimum rear setback | 15 ft Applies: lots not abutting a freeway; 50 ft where the lot abuts a freeway § 29-54 · code textTable row “a. Abutting a freeway”, column “R3”: 50 |
| Minimum lot size | 3,600 sq ft Applies: single-family detached dwelling; a subdivided infill lot may be 90 percent of this minimum § 29-54 · code textTable row “(1) Single-family detached dwelling”, column “R3”: 3,600 |
| Maximum lot coverage | 60% § 29-54 · code textTable row “(f) Maximum lot coverage, percent”, column “R3”: 60 |
| Maximum density | 25 units per acre § 29-54 · code textTable row “(b) Density-maximum dwelling units per net acre (1)”, column “R3”: 25 |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in R3:
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, FAR limit for R3 in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the El Centro Municipal Code.
Other El Centro zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in El Centro's R3 zone?
45 ft — El Centro Municipal Code § 29-54.
What is the minimum front setback in El Centro's R3 zone?
15 ft (any habitable portion of residence and side-loading garages) — El Centro Municipal Code § 29-54.
What is the minimum side setback in El Centro's R3 zone?
5 ft (interior side) — El Centro Municipal Code § 29-54.
What is the minimum rear setback in El Centro's R3 zone?
15 ft (lots not abutting a freeway; 50 ft where the lot abuts a freeway) — El Centro Municipal Code § 29-54.
What is the minimum lot size in El Centro's R3 zone?
3,600 sq ft (single-family detached dwelling; a subdivided infill lot may be 90 percent of this minimum) — El Centro Municipal Code § 29-54.
General information, not legal advice.
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