Hollister · Zoning · R2
Hollister R2 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Hollister's R2 zone, generally buildings can be up to 30 feet tall, the front setback is 18 feet minimum and the minimum lot size is 8,000 sq. ft. per 2 units, with the conditions listed below (Hollister code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 30 feet (Dwelling(s))
- Minimum front setback: 18 feet minimum (Residence; measured from the back of the sidewalk)
- Minimum side setback: 6 feet (Interior)
- Minimum rear setback: 20% of lot depth, at least 15 feet and at most 20 feet (corner lots: the designated rear yard is at least 15 feet)
- Minimum lot size: 8,000 sq. ft. per 2 units
- Maximum lot coverage: 40%
- Maximum density: maximum of 12 units per acre
R2 (Two-Family Residential District) is a zoning district in Hollister. Every value below was read from the Hollister 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 R2
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 | 30 feet Applies: Dwelling(s) See notes 4, 2, 5 below the table in the code. § 17.04.030 · code textTable row “(R2) Two-Family Residential District”, column “Building Height (4)”: Dwelling(s): 30 feet (2) Accessory: 15 feet (5) Note 4: See building height exceptions in Chapter 17.16. Note 2: Transition in building height and other design elements shall be incorporated into development near existing residential neighborhoods to assure that the new development is not out of scale with the character of the surrounding uses. Note 5: Planning Commission approval is required for accessory structures higher than 15 feet. |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 18 feet minimum Applies: Residence; measured from the back of the sidewalk See notes 1, 2 below the table in the code. § 17.04.030 · code textTable row “(RE) Residential Estate (R1) Low Density Residential District (1), (2) (R2) Two-Family Residential District”, column “Front Yard”: Measured from the back of the sidewalk Residence: 18 feet minimum Garage: 20 feet minimum Note 1: A single-family residence on a corner lot that has been lawfully established prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter may be reconstructed with administrative Planning and Engineering approval of a similar nonconforming setback that complies with Building and Fire Codes if it has been involuntarily damaged or partially damaged by a fire or other calamity. Note 2: An alternative to the setbacks may be allowed with administrative approvals from the Planning and Engineering Departments for placement of a residence on a corner lot to assure adequate separation of a driveway from an intersection provided there is at least 1,000 square feet of useable open space in the rear or side yard and a minimum setback of six feet from any adjoining property line and there |
| Minimum side setback | 6 feet Applies: Interior See notes 1, 2 below the table in the code. § 17.04.030 · code textTable row “(RE) Residential Estate (R1) Low Density Residential District (1), (2) (R2) Two-Family Residential District”, column “Side Yard”: Interior: 6 feet Corner: 10 feet Note 1: A single-family residence on a corner lot that has been lawfully established prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter may be reconstructed with administrative Planning and Engineering approval of a similar nonconforming setback that complies with Building and Fire Codes if it has been involuntarily damaged or partially damaged by a fire or other calamity. Note 2: An alternative to the setbacks may be allowed with administrative approvals from the Planning and Engineering Departments for placement of a residence on a corner lot to assure adequate separation of a driveway from an intersection provided there is at least 1,000 square feet of useable open space in the rear or side yard and a minimum setback of six feet from any adjoining property line and there |
| Minimum rear setback | 20% of lot depth, at least 15 feet and at most 20 feet Applies: corner lots: the designated rear yard is at least 15 feet See notes 1, 2 below the table in the code. § 17.04.030 · code textTable row “(RE) Residential Estate (R1) Low Density Residential District (1), (2) (R2) Two-Family Residential District”, column “Rear Yard”: 20% of lot depth, with a minimum of 15 feet and a maximum of 20 feet. For corner lots, the designated rear yard shall be a minimum of 15 feet, with the remaining interior side yard being 6 feet (1) Note 1: A single-family residence on a corner lot that has been lawfully established prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter may be reconstructed with administrative Planning and Engineering approval of a similar nonconforming setback that complies with Building and Fire Codes if it has been involuntarily damaged or partially damaged by a fire or other calamity. Note 2: An alternative to the setbacks may be allowed with administrative approvals from the Planning and Engineering Departments for placement of a residence on a corner lot to assure adequate separation of a driveway from an intersection provided there is at least 1,000 square feet of useable open space in the rear or side yard and a minimum setback of six feet from any adjoining property line and there |
| Minimum lot size | 8,000 sq. ft. per 2 units See note 5 below the table in the code. § 17.04.030 · code textTable row “(R2) Two-Family Residential District (5)”, column “Minimum Lot Size (5)”: 8,000 sq. ft. per 2 units Note 5: Partially developed parcels with potential for infill development may be subdivided without a growth management allocation if the Planning Commission can make the following findings: (a) the minimum lot size of an existing residential use shall be at least 5,000 square feet and the setback requirements for the R1 District can be met; (b) the orientation of the single-family home will help support |
| Maximum lot coverage | 40% § 17.04.030 · code textTable row “(R2) Two-Family Residential District”, column “Lot Coverage (Max.)”: 40% |
| Maximum density | maximum of 12 units per acre See notes 5, 1, 2, 7 below the table in the code. § 17.04.030 · code textTable row “(R2) Two-Family Residential District (5)”, column “Residential Density (1), (2), (7)”: Min. of 8 units per acre with a max. of 12 units per acre Note 5: Partially developed parcels with potential for infill development may be subdivided without a growth management allocation if the Planning Commission can make the following findings: (a) the minimum lot size of an existing residential use shall be at least 5,000 square feet and the setback requirements for the R1 District can be met; (b) the orientation of the single-family home will help support Note 1: Residential density does not include a density bonus. Note 2: Lots in the Monica Estates subdivision Tract 180 shall be considered conforming for minimum lot size. Note 7: The Planning Commission may waive the minimum density requirement for a development proposal with 100 percent multifamily affordable housing in the R4, R4-20, and OT-H Zoning Districts where it is demonstrated that the minimum density standard poses a constraint to the viability of the development. The manager's unit may be excluded from the affordability requirement. A Conditional Use Permit shal |
Uses in R2
Uses the code's use tables allow in R2, or allow with a permit. Each links to its page with the code section.
- Duplex — Allowed — see note
- Apartment building — Allowed
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in R2:
- Minimum front setback: 20 feet minimum — Garage; measured from the back of the sidewalk § 17.04.030
- Minimum side setback: 10 feet — on a corner lot § 17.04.030
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, FAR limit for R2 in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Hollister Municipal Code.
Other Hollister zoning districts
Who this affects
HomeownersArchitects and designersDevelopersReal estate agents
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Hollister's R2 zone?
30 feet (dwelling(s)) — Hollister Municipal Code § 17.04.030.
What is the minimum front setback in Hollister's R2 zone?
18 feet minimum (residence; measured from the back of the sidewalk) — Hollister Municipal Code § 17.04.030.
What is the minimum side setback in Hollister's R2 zone?
6 feet (interior) — Hollister Municipal Code § 17.04.030.
What is the minimum rear setback in Hollister's R2 zone?
20% of lot depth, at least 15 feet and at most 20 feet (corner lots: the designated rear yard is at least 15 feet) — Hollister Municipal Code § 17.04.030.
What is the minimum lot size in Hollister's R2 zone?
8,000 sq. ft. per 2 units — Hollister Municipal Code § 17.04.030.
General information, not legal advice.
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