Imperial County · Zoning · R-3
Imperial County R-3 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Imperial County's R-3 zone, generally buildings can be up to 80 ft (6 stories) tall, the front setback is 20 ft and the minimum lot size is 6,000 sq ft, with the conditions listed below (Imperial County code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 80 ft (buildings and structures)
- Maximum number of stories: 6 stories (buildings and structures)
- Minimum front setback: 20 ft (may be 15 ft if two off-street parking spaces per unit plus one visitor space per three units are provided)
- Minimum side setback: 5 ft
- Minimum lot size: 6,000 sq ft (Basic lot minimum, for the first dwelling unit)
- Maximum density: 1 unit per 2,000 sq ft (net lot area per dwelling unit; the basic lot minimum is 6,000 sq ft for the first unit)
R-3 is a zoning district in Imperial County. Every value below was read from the Imperial County 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-3
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 | 80 ft Applies: buildings and structures § 90504.07 · code textBuildings and structures located in the R-3 zone shall not exceed six stories or eighty (80) feet. |
|---|---|
| Maximum number of stories | 6 stories Applies: buildings and structures § 90504.07 · code textBuildings and structures located in the R-3 zone shall not exceed six stories or eighty (80) feet. |
| Minimum front setback | 20 ft Applies: may be 15 ft if two off-street parking spaces per unit plus one visitor space per three units are provided § 90504.06 · code textExcept as otherwise provided, the front yard minimum setback for all buildings shall be as follows: Twenty (20) feet minimum unless a minimum of two off-street parking spaces per unit, plus one visitor parking space for every three units is provided in which case the minimum may be fifteen (15) feet. |
| Minimum side setback | 5 ft § 90504.06 · code textThe minimum side yard shall be at least five feet on each side of the building except for the following: |
| Minimum lot size | 6,000 sq ft Applies: Basic lot minimum, for the first dwelling unit § 90504.05 · code textThere shall be a minimum of two thousand (2,000) net square feet of lot area per dwelling unit in the R-3 zone, provided however that the basic lot minimum is six thousand (6,000) square feet, for the first unit. |
| Maximum density | 1 unit per 2,000 sq ft Applies: net lot area per dwelling unit; the basic lot minimum is 6,000 sq ft for the first unit § 90504.05 · code textThere shall be a minimum of two thousand (2,000) net square feet of lot area per dwelling unit in the R-3 zone, provided however that the basic lot minimum is six thousand (6,000) square feet, for the first unit. |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in R-3:
- Minimum front setback: 15 ft — when a minimum of two off-street parking spaces per unit, plus one visitor parking space for every three units, is provided § 90504.06
- Minimum side setback: 0 ft — on designated zero lot line construction, one side may be zero, provided the opposite side is a minimum of 10 feet and fire protection requirements are met § 90504.06
- Minimum side setback: 10 ft — opposite side on designated zero lot line construction § 90504.06
- Minimum rear setback: 15 ft — for primary structures on lots that do not have an alley § 90504.06
- Minimum rear setback: 10 ft — for primary structures on lots that do have an alley with a minimum width of 20 feet § 90504.06
Not on this page
We did not find a general rear setback, lot coverage, FAR limit for R-3 in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Imperial County Municipal Code.
Other Imperial County zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Imperial County's R-3 zone?
80 ft (buildings and structures) — Imperial County Municipal Code § 90504.07.
What is the maximum number of stories in Imperial County's R-3 zone?
6 stories (buildings and structures) — Imperial County Municipal Code § 90504.07.
What is the minimum front setback in Imperial County's R-3 zone?
20 ft (may be 15 ft if two off-street parking spaces per unit plus one visitor space per three units are provided) — Imperial County Municipal Code § 90504.06.
What is the minimum side setback in Imperial County's R-3 zone?
5 ft — Imperial County Municipal Code § 90504.06.
What is the minimum lot size in Imperial County's R-3 zone?
6,000 sq ft (basic lot minimum, for the first dwelling unit) — Imperial County Municipal Code § 90504.05.
General information, not legal advice.
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