El Cerrito · Zoning · RS-5
El Cerrito RS-5 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In El Cerrito's RS-5 zone, generally buildings can be up to 25-35 ft tall, the front setback is 10 ft and the minimum lot size is 5,000 sq ft, with the conditions listed below (El Cerrito code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 25-35 ft (Base height varies by lot slope: 25 ft for 10% or less, 30 ft for greater than 10% and less than 40%, and 35 ft for over 40%)
- Minimum front setback: 10 ft (20 ft for the entire width of required covered parking)
- Minimum side setback: 5 ft
- Minimum rear setback: 15 ft
- Minimum lot size: 5,000 sq ft (Interior lots)
- Maximum lot coverage: 50% (Where lot slope is 30% or less)
RS-5 is a zoning district in El Cerrito. Every value below was read from the El Cerrito 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 RS-5
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 | 25-35 ft Applies: Base height varies by lot slope: 25 ft for 10% or less, 30 ft for greater than 10% and less than 40%, and 35 ft for over 40% § 19.06.030 · code textTable row “Maximum Height (ft.)”, column “RS-5”: Base Height 25-35; Maximum Height with CUP 30-40 |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 10 ft Applies: 20 ft for the entire width of required covered parking § 19.06.030 · code textTable row “Front - Minimum”, column “RS-5”: 10 |
| Minimum side setback | 5 ft § 19.06.030 · code textTable row “Side”, column “RS-5”: 5 |
| Minimum rear setback | 15 ft § 19.06.030 · code textTable row “Rear”, column “RS-5”: 15 |
| Minimum lot size | 5,000 sq ft Applies: Interior lots § 19.06.030 · code textTable row “Interior Lots”, column “RS-5”: 5,000 |
| Maximum lot coverage | 50% Applies: Where lot slope is 30% or less § 19.06.030 · code textTable row “Where Lot Slope is 30% or Less”, column “RS-5”: 50 |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in RS-5:
- Maximum building height: 30-40 ft — Maximum height with Conditional Use Permit; varies by lot slope § 19.06.030
- Minimum lot size: 6,000 sq ft — Corner lots § 19.06.030
- Maximum lot coverage: 40% — Where lot slope is greater than 30% § 19.06.030
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, FAR, density limit for RS-5 in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the El Cerrito Municipal Code.
Other El Cerrito zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in El Cerrito's RS-5 zone?
25-35 ft (base height varies by lot slope: 25 ft for 10% or less, 30 ft for greater than 10% and less than 40%, and 35 ft for over 40%) — El Cerrito Municipal Code § 19.06.030.
What is the minimum front setback in El Cerrito's RS-5 zone?
10 ft (20 ft for the entire width of required covered parking) — El Cerrito Municipal Code § 19.06.030.
What is the minimum side setback in El Cerrito's RS-5 zone?
5 ft — El Cerrito Municipal Code § 19.06.030.
What is the minimum rear setback in El Cerrito's RS-5 zone?
15 ft — El Cerrito Municipal Code § 19.06.030.
What is the minimum lot size in El Cerrito's RS-5 zone?
5,000 sq ft (interior lots) — El Cerrito Municipal Code § 19.06.030.
General information, not legal advice.
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