McFarland · Zoning · R-4
McFarland R-4 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In McFarland's R-4 zone, generally buildings can be up to 45 ft (4 stories) tall and the front setback is 10 ft, with the conditions listed below (McFarland code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 45 ft
- Maximum number of stories: 4 stories
- Minimum front setback: 10 ft (where 40% or more of the block frontage is built with front yards varying under 10 ft, buildings may not project beyond that average line)
- Minimum side setback: 5 ft
- Minimum rear setback: 15 ft (may be reduced to 5 ft if buildings cover no more than 60% of the lot)
R-4 (R-4 ZONE) is a zoning district in McFarland. Every value below was read from the McFarland 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-4
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 | 45 ft § 17.28.030 · code textFour stories and not to exceed forty-five feet. |
|---|---|
| Maximum number of stories | 4 stories § 17.28.030 · code textFour stories and not to exceed forty-five feet. |
| Minimum front setback | 10 ft Applies: where 40% or more of the block frontage is built with front yards varying under 10 ft, buildings may not project beyond that average line § 17.28.040 · code textA. There shall be a front yard of not less than ten feet, except where lots comprising forty percent or more of the frontage on one side of a street between intersecting streets are developed with buildings having an average front yard with a variation of not more than ten feet, no building hereafter erected or structurally altered shall project beyond the average front yard line so established. |
| Minimum side setback | 5 ft § 17.28.050 · code textThere shall be a side yard on each side of a main building of not less than five feet, except that on the street side of corner lots there shall be a side yard of not less than ten feet. |
| Minimum rear setback | 15 ft Applies: may be reduced to 5 ft if buildings cover no more than 60% of the lot § 17.28.060 · code textThere shall be a rear yard behind every main building of not less than fifteen feet; provided, however, the rear yard may be reduced to five feet if not more than sixty percent of the lot is covered by buildings or structures. |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in R-4:
- Minimum front setback: 45 ft — Along a secondary highway, measured from the centerline of the highway § 17.28.040
- Minimum front setback: 55 ft — Along a major highway, measured from the centerline of the highway § 17.28.040
- Minimum side setback: 10 ft — Street side of corner lots § 17.28.050
- Minimum side setback: 45 ft — Along a secondary highway, measured from the centerline of the highway § 17.28.050
- Minimum side setback: 55 ft — Along a major highway, measured from the centerline of the highway § 17.28.050
- Minimum rear setback: 5 ft — If not more than 60% of the lot is covered by buildings or structures § 17.28.060
Not on this page
We did not find a general lot size, lot coverage, FAR, density limit for R-4 in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the McFarland Municipal Code.
Other McFarland zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in McFarland's R-4 zone?
45 ft — McFarland Municipal Code § 17.28.030.
What is the maximum number of stories in McFarland's R-4 zone?
4 stories — McFarland Municipal Code § 17.28.030.
What is the minimum front setback in McFarland's R-4 zone?
10 ft (where 40% or more of the block frontage is built with front yards varying under 10 ft, buildings may not project beyond that average line) — McFarland Municipal Code § 17.28.040.
What is the minimum side setback in McFarland's R-4 zone?
5 ft — McFarland Municipal Code § 17.28.050.
What is the minimum rear setback in McFarland's R-4 zone?
15 ft (may be reduced to 5 ft if buildings cover no more than 60% of the lot) — McFarland Municipal Code § 17.28.060.
General information, not legal advice.
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