Montclair · Zoning · R-1
Montclair R-1 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Montclair's R-1 zone, generally buildings can be up to 35 ft (2 stories) tall and the front setback is 25 ft, with the conditions listed below (Montclair code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 35 ft
- Maximum number of stories: 2 stories
- Minimum front setback: 25 ft (no deeper than the adjoining lots average; Planning Commission may require 30 ft on alternating lots, 35 ft on limited access roads)
- Minimum rear setback: 20 ft (For a two-story building.)
- Maximum lot coverage: 35%
- Maximum density: 1 unit per 7,500 sq ft (except for lots held under separate ownership or of record on May 15, 1958)
R-1 (Single-Family Residential) is a zoning district in Montclair. Every value below was read from the Montclair 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-1
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 § 11.18.040 · code textThe maximum building height shall be two stories and shall not exceed 35 feet. |
|---|---|
| Maximum number of stories | 2 stories § 11.18.040 · code textThe maximum building height shall be two stories and shall not exceed 35 feet. |
| Minimum front setback | 25 ft Applies: no deeper than the adjoining lots average; Planning Commission may require 30 ft on alternating lots, 35 ft on limited access roads § 11.18.040 · code textA front yard having a depth not less than 25 feet; provided, however, no front yard need be deeper than the average of the depths of the front yards of the lots next thereto on either side, a vacant lot or a lot occupied by a building with a front yard of more than 25 feet being considered as having a front yard 25 feet deep; the Planning Commission may require within a subdivision a 30-foot setback on alternating lots and may require a 35-foot setback on limited access roads to provide for circular drives; |
| Minimum rear setback | 20 ft Applies: For a two-story building. § 11.18.040 · code textA rear yard having a depth of not less than 15 feet for a one-story building and 20 feet for a two-story building; provided further, the provisions of subsection F of this section shall also apply. |
| Maximum lot coverage | 35% § 11.18.040 · code textThe building area shall not cover more than 35 percent of the total area of any lot. |
| Maximum density | 1 unit per 7,500 sq ft Applies: except for lots held under separate ownership or of record on May 15, 1958 § 11.18.040 · code textThe minimum lot area per dwelling unit (except for lots held under separate ownership or of record on May 15, 1958; see subsection B of this section) shall be 7500 square feet. |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in R-1:
- Minimum front setback: 30 ft — The Planning Commission may require this setback on alternating lots within a subdivision. § 11.18.040
- Minimum front setback: 35 ft — On limited access roads, as required by the Planning Commission to provide for circular drives. § 11.18.040
- Minimum side setback: 5 ft — interior lot with vehicular access to an alley; each side yard § 11.18.040
- Minimum side setback: 12 ft — One side yard of an interior lot having no vehicular access to an alley. § 11.18.040
- Minimum side setback: 5 ft — The other side yard of an interior lot having no vehicular access to an alley; one side yard. § 11.18.040
- Minimum rear setback: 15 ft — For a one-story building. § 11.18.040
Not on this page
We did not find a general side setback, lot size, FAR limit for R-1 in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Montclair Municipal Code.
Other Montclair zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Montclair's R-1 zone?
35 ft — Montclair Municipal Code § 11.18.040.
What is the maximum number of stories in Montclair's R-1 zone?
2 stories — Montclair Municipal Code § 11.18.040.
What is the minimum front setback in Montclair's R-1 zone?
25 ft (no deeper than the adjoining lots average; Planning Commission may require 30 ft on alternating lots, 35 ft on limited access roads) — Montclair Municipal Code § 11.18.040.
What is the minimum rear setback in Montclair's R-1 zone?
20 ft (for a two-story building) — Montclair Municipal Code § 11.18.040.
What is the maximum lot coverage in Montclair's R-1 zone?
35% — Montclair Municipal Code § 11.18.040.
General information, not legal advice.
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