Lake Elsinore R-2 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size

R-2 (Medium Density Residential District) is a zoning district in Lake Elsinore. Every value below was read from the Lake Elsinore 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-2

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 ft Applies: main building; accessory structures excluded § 17.80.100 · code text Except as otherwise provided for accessory structures, the maximum building height in the R-2 district shall be 30 feet.
Minimum front setback	20 ft Applies: main dwelling unit § 17.80.080 · code text 1. Main dwelling unit: 20 feet.
Minimum side setback	5 ft Applies: adjacent to interior lot lines § 17.80.080 · code text Adjacent to interior lot lines there shall be a minimum side yard of five feet.
Minimum rear setback	15 ft Applies: 20 ft where a straight-in entry garage gains access via the rear yard § 17.80.080 · code text Rear yard: 15 feet, with the exception that where straight-in entry garage gains access via the rear yard, the setback shall be 20 feet.
Minimum lot size	7,260 sq ft Applies: new lot § 17.80.050 · code text The minimum net lot area for any new lot created in the R-2 district shall be 7,260 square feet.
Maximum lot coverage	50% § 17.80.090 · code text The maximum lot coverage of all structures in the R-2 district shall be 50 percent.
Maximum density	1 unit per 3,630 sq ft Applies: each dwelling unit § 17.80.060 · code text The minimum lot area required for each dwelling unit in the R-2 district shall be 3,630 square feet of net lot area per unit.

When a different number applies

The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in R-2:

Minimum front setback: 15 ft — turn-in entry garages may encroach to within 15 feet of the front property line § 17.80.080
Minimum side setback: 15 ft — adjacent to a public right-of-way § 17.80.080
Minimum side setback: 20 ft — straight-in entry garage gains access via the side yard § 17.80.080
Minimum rear setback: 20 ft — straight-in entry garage gains access via the rear yard § 17.80.080

Not on this page

We did not find a general stories, FAR limit for R-2 in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Lake Elsinore Municipal Code.

Other Lake Elsinore zoning districts

Who this affects

HomeownersArchitects and designersDevelopersReal estate agents

Frequently asked questions

What is the maximum building height in Lake Elsinore's R-2 zone?

30 ft (main building; accessory structures excluded) — Lake Elsinore Municipal Code § 17.80.100.

What is the minimum front setback in Lake Elsinore's R-2 zone?

20 ft (main dwelling unit) — Lake Elsinore Municipal Code § 17.80.080.

What is the minimum side setback in Lake Elsinore's R-2 zone?

5 ft (adjacent to interior lot lines) — Lake Elsinore Municipal Code § 17.80.080.

What is the minimum rear setback in Lake Elsinore's R-2 zone?

15 ft (20 ft where a straight-in entry garage gains access via the rear yard) — Lake Elsinore Municipal Code § 17.80.080.

What is the minimum lot size in Lake Elsinore's R-2 zone?

7,260 sq ft (new lot) — Lake Elsinore Municipal Code § 17.80.050.

General information, not legal advice.