Inyo County · Zoning · R-3
Inyo County R-3 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Inyo County's R-3 zone, generally buildings can be up to 40 ft (3 stories) tall, the front setback is 15 ft and the minimum lot size is 10,000 sq ft, with the conditions listed below (Inyo County code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 40 ft (Principal structure/dwelling unit)
- Maximum number of stories: 3 stories (Principal structure/dwelling unit)
- Minimum front setback: 15 ft (25 ft where the property abuts an R-1 or R-2 zone, unless the adjacent property has a nonconforming structure)
- Minimum side setback: 5 ft for each story (Principal buildings; accessory buildings need 0 ft, but 5 ft on one side)
- Minimum rear setback: 15 ft
- Minimum lot size: 10,000 sq ft
R-3 (Multiple Residential Zone) is a zoning district in Inyo County. Every value below was read from the Inyo 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 | 40 ft Applies: Principal structure/dwelling unit § 18.34.050 · code text1. Principal structure/dwelling unit, three stories or forty feet, |
|---|---|
| Maximum number of stories | 3 stories Applies: Principal structure/dwelling unit § 18.34.050 · code text1. Principal structure/dwelling unit, three stories or forty feet, |
| Minimum front setback | 15 ft Applies: 25 ft where the property abuts an R-1 or R-2 zone, unless the adjacent property has a nonconforming structure § 18.34.050 · code textD. Front yard; fifteen feet except where the property abuts an R-1 or R-2 zone; then the setback shall be twenty-five feet unless the adjacent property has a nonconforming structure, then the front yard setback shall be the same as the adjacent developed property; |
| Minimum side setback | 5 ft for each story Applies: Principal buildings; accessory buildings need 0 ft, but 5 ft on one side § 18.34.050 · code textF. Side yard: five feet for each story, zero feet for accessory buildings but five feet on one side; |
| Minimum rear setback | 15 ft § 18.34.050 · code textE. Rear yard: fifteen feet, zero feet for accessory buildings; |
| Minimum lot size | 10,000 sq ft § 18.34.050 · code textB. Minimum parcel size: ten thousand square feet, except when a greater minimum area is established pursuant to Section 18.78.055 of this title; |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in R-3:
- Minimum front setback: 25 ft — Where the property abuts an R-1 or R-2 zone, unless the adjacent property has a nonconforming structure § 18.34.050
Not on this page
We did not find a general lot coverage, FAR, density limit for R-3 in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Inyo County Municipal Code.
Other Inyo County zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Inyo County's R-3 zone?
40 ft (principal structure/dwelling unit) — Inyo County Municipal Code § 18.34.050.
What is the maximum number of stories in Inyo County's R-3 zone?
3 stories (principal structure/dwelling unit) — Inyo County Municipal Code § 18.34.050.
What is the minimum front setback in Inyo County's R-3 zone?
15 ft (25 ft where the property abuts an R-1 or R-2 zone, unless the adjacent property has a nonconforming structure) — Inyo County Municipal Code § 18.34.050.
What is the minimum side setback in Inyo County's R-3 zone?
5 ft for each story (principal buildings; accessory buildings need 0 ft, but 5 ft on one side) — Inyo County Municipal Code § 18.34.050.
What is the minimum rear setback in Inyo County's R-3 zone?
15 ft — Inyo County Municipal Code § 18.34.050.
General information, not legal advice.
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