Lake Forest · Zoning · R4
Lake Forest R4 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Lake Forest's R4 zone, buildings can be up to 35 ft tall, the front setback is 20 ft and the minimum lot size is 7,200 sq ft (Lake Forest code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 35 ft
- Minimum front setback: 20 ft
- Minimum side setback: 5 ft
- Minimum rear setback: 25 ft
- Minimum lot size: 7,200 sq ft
- Maximum density: 1 unit per 3,000 sq ft net land area
R4 (Suburban Multifamily Residential District) is a zoning district in Lake Forest. Every value below was read from the Lake Forest 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 R4
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 | 35 ft § 9.64.080 · code textThirty-five feet maximum except per Section 9.144.020. |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 20 ft § 9.144.030 · code textTable row “R4”, column “Front”: 20 |
| Minimum side setback | 5 ft § 9.144.030 · code textTable row “R4”, column “Side”: 5 |
| Minimum rear setback | 25 ft § 9.144.030 · code textTable row “R4”, column “Rear”: 25 |
| Minimum lot size | 7,200 sq ft § 9.64.080 · code textSeven thousand two hundred square feet minimum except per Section 9.144.020. |
| Maximum density | 1 unit per 3,000 sq ft net land area § 9.64.080 · code textThree thousand square feet minimum net land area per dwelling unit except per Section 9.144.020. |
Uses in R4
Uses the code's use tables allow in R4, or allow with a permit. Each links to its page with the code section.
- Single-family home — Allowed
- Apartment building — Allowed — see note
- Church or place of worship — Needs an use permit
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in R4:
- Minimum front setback: 10 ft — On panhandle building site, from any property line § 9.144.030
- Minimum rear setback: At least 15 ft — Rear lot line on an alley, private street or park: half its width counts toward the 25 ft setback § 9.144.030
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, lot coverage, FAR limit for R4 in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Lake Forest Municipal Code.
Other Lake Forest zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Lake Forest's R4 zone?
35 ft — Lake Forest Municipal Code § 9.64.080.
What is the minimum front setback in Lake Forest's R4 zone?
20 ft — Lake Forest Municipal Code § 9.144.030.
What is the minimum side setback in Lake Forest's R4 zone?
5 ft — Lake Forest Municipal Code § 9.144.030.
What is the minimum rear setback in Lake Forest's R4 zone?
25 ft — Lake Forest Municipal Code § 9.144.030.
What is the minimum lot size in Lake Forest's R4 zone?
7,200 sq ft — Lake Forest Municipal Code § 9.64.080.
General information, not legal advice.
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