Norwalk · Zoning · R-1
Norwalk R-1 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Norwalk's R-1 zone, generally buildings can be up to 30 ft (2 stories) tall and the front setback is 20% of lot depth, no more than 20 ft required, with the conditions listed below (Norwalk code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 30 ft (non-dwelling structures needing greater height, such as tank housings, fans or church spires, may exceed it)
- Maximum number of stories: 2 stories
- Minimum front setback: 20% of lot depth, no more than 20 ft required (first story)
- Minimum side setback: 5 ft (first story)
- Minimum rear setback: 20% of lot depth, no more than 20 ft required
- Maximum lot coverage: 40%
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 40%
R-1 (Single-Family Residential Zone) is a zoning district in Norwalk. Every value below was read from the Norwalk 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 | 30 ft Applies: non-dwelling structures needing greater height, such as tank housings, fans or church spires, may exceed it § 17.05.020 · code textNo primary building or structure in an R-1 zone shall exceed two stories or 30 feet in height, whichever is the lesser, except that non-dwelling structures which require greater height for functional purposes, such as structures for the housing of tanks, ventilating fans, church spires or similar features may exceed such height, as provided by Section 17.03.230. |
|---|---|
| Maximum number of stories | 2 stories § 17.05.020 · code textNo primary building or structure in an R-1 zone shall exceed two stories or 30 feet in height, whichever is the lesser, except that non-dwelling structures which require greater height for functional purposes, such as structures for the housing of tanks, ventilating fans, church spires or similar features may exceed such height, as provided by Section 17.03.230. |
| Minimum front setback | 20% of lot depth, no more than 20 ft required Applies: first story § 17.05.030 · code textEvery lot and every parcel in an R-1 zone shall have a front yard of not less than 20% of the lot depth, but such front yard need not exceed 20 feet for the first story. |
| Minimum side setback | 5 ft Applies: first story § 17.05.040 · code textInterior lots or parcels and corner lots or parcels shall have a side yard on each side of the lot or parcel of not less than five feet in width for the first story and 10 feet in width for the second story. |
| Minimum rear setback | 20% of lot depth, no more than 20 ft required § 17.05.050 · code textEvery lot and every parcel in an R-1 zone shall have a rear yard with a depth not less than 20% of the depth of such parcel or lot, provided that such rear yard depth need not exceed 20 feet. |
| Maximum lot coverage | 40% § 17.05.054 · code textThe maximum allowable lot coverage shall not exceed 40% of the lot size. |
| Maximum floor area ratio (FAR) | 40% § 17.05.056 · code textThe maximum allowable floor area ratio shall not exceed 40% of the lot size. |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in R-1:
- Minimum front setback: 5 ft farther back than the first story — second story § 17.05.030
- Minimum side setback: 10 ft — Second story § 17.05.040
Not on this page
We did not find a general lot size, density limit for R-1 in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Norwalk Municipal Code.
Other Norwalk zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Norwalk's R-1 zone?
30 ft (non-dwelling structures needing greater height, such as tank housings, fans or church spires, may exceed it) — Norwalk Municipal Code § 17.05.020.
What is the maximum number of stories in Norwalk's R-1 zone?
2 stories — Norwalk Municipal Code § 17.05.020.
What is the minimum front setback in Norwalk's R-1 zone?
20% of lot depth, no more than 20 ft required (first story) — Norwalk Municipal Code § 17.05.030.
What is the minimum side setback in Norwalk's R-1 zone?
5 ft (first story) — Norwalk Municipal Code § 17.05.040.
What is the minimum rear setback in Norwalk's R-1 zone?
20% of lot depth, no more than 20 ft required — Norwalk Municipal Code § 17.05.050.
General information, not legal advice.
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