Lancaster H zoning: height, setbacks and lot size

H (Hospital) is a zoning district in Lancaster. Every value below was read from the Lancaster 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 H

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 number of stories	5 stories Applies: Permitted uses; uses subject to permit are governed by Article I of Chapter 17.32 § 17.12.610 · code text No building or structure for a permitted use in the H zone shall exceed a height of 5 stories.
Minimum front setback	20 ft plus 5 ft for each story over one Applies: Front yard; 5 feet is added for each story over one § 17.12.640 · code text Front yard, street side yard and interior side yard: 20 feet plus 5 feet for each story over one. No parking shall take place within 20 feet of a property line within a required front or street side yard, such area shall be fully landscaped except where crossed by approved driveways.
Minimum side setback	20 ft plus 5 ft for each story over one Applies: Interior side yard; 5 feet is added for each story over one § 17.12.640 · code text Front yard, street side yard and interior side yard: 20 feet plus 5 feet for each story over one. No parking shall take place within 20 feet of a property line within a required front or street side yard, such area shall be fully landscaped except where crossed by approved driveways.
Minimum rear setback	50 ft Applies: where the rear yard abuts a public street, the first 20 ft from the street must be landscaped § 17.12.640 · code text Where the rear yard abuts a public street, said yard shall be landscaped in the same manner as required for the front yard for a distance of not less than 20 feet, measured from the street right-of-way line to a line parallel to the right-of-way on the lot or parcel of land.
Minimum lot size	40,000 sq ft Applies: Lots created after adoption of this section § 17.12.640 · code text Minimum lot area: 40,000 square feet (see Sections 17.40.070 and 17.40.080 in the event public use or required street dedication would reduce the net area of an existing lot to less than 40,000 square feet);
Maximum lot coverage	50% § 17.12.640 · code text Maximum lot coverage: 50% of the lot area.

Not on this page

We did not find a general height, FAR, density limit for H in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Lancaster Municipal Code.

Other Lancaster zoning districts

Who this affects

HomeownersArchitects and designersDevelopersReal estate agents

Frequently asked questions

What is the maximum number of stories in Lancaster's H zone?

5 stories (permitted uses; uses subject to permit are governed by Article I of Chapter 17.32) — Lancaster Municipal Code § 17.12.610.

What is the minimum front setback in Lancaster's H zone?

20 ft plus 5 ft for each story over one (front yard; 5 feet is added for each story over one) — Lancaster Municipal Code § 17.12.640.

What is the minimum side setback in Lancaster's H zone?

20 ft plus 5 ft for each story over one (interior side yard; 5 feet is added for each story over one) — Lancaster Municipal Code § 17.12.640.

What is the minimum rear setback in Lancaster's H zone?

50 ft (where the rear yard abuts a public street, the first 20 ft from the street must be landscaped) — Lancaster Municipal Code § 17.12.640.

What is the minimum lot size in Lancaster's H zone?

40,000 sq ft (lots created after adoption of this section) — Lancaster Municipal Code § 17.12.640.

General information, not legal advice.