Norwalk · Zoning · R-2
Norwalk R-2 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Norwalk's R-2 zone, generally buildings can be up to 30 ft (2 stories) tall and the front setback is 15% of lot depth, no more than 15 ft required, with the conditions listed below (Norwalk code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 30 ft (whichever is lesser with 2 stories)
- Maximum number of stories: 2 stories (whichever is lesser with 30 feet)
- Minimum front setback: 15% of lot depth, no more than 15 ft required (first story)
- Minimum side setback: 10% of lot width, at least 5 ft first story and 10 ft second story (property less than 50 feet wide; 50 ft or wider needs 5 ft first story, 10 ft second story)
- Minimum rear setback: 20% of lot depth, no more than 20 ft required (subject to exceptions the code lists after this rule)
- Maximum lot coverage: 45%
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 45%
- Maximum density: 2 units for lots ≥ 5,000 sq ft (lot or parcel containing not less than 5,000 square feet of area)
R-2 (Multi-Family Medium Density 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-2
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: whichever is lesser with 2 stories § 17.05.110 · code textNo primary building or structure shall exceed two stories or 30 feet in height, whichever is the lesser, except as provided by Section 17.03.230 for certain roof and similar structures. |
|---|---|
| Maximum number of stories | 2 stories Applies: whichever is lesser with 30 feet § 17.05.110 · code textNo primary building or structure shall exceed two stories or 30 feet in height, whichever is the lesser, except as provided by Section 17.03.230 for certain roof and similar structures. |
| Minimum front setback | 15% of lot depth, no more than 15 ft required Applies: first story § 17.05.120 · code textEvery lot and every parcel in an R-2 zone shall have a front yard of not less than 15% of the lot depth, provided that such front yard depth need not exceed 15 feet for the first story. |
| Minimum side setback | 10% of lot width, at least 5 ft first story and 10 ft second story Applies: property less than 50 feet wide; 50 ft or wider needs 5 ft first story, 10 ft second story § 17.05.130 · code textEvery property less than 50 feet in width shall have a side yard on each side of the property of not less than 10% of the lot width, but in no case less than five feet for the first story and 10 feet for the second story. |
| Minimum rear setback | 20% of lot depth, no more than 20 ft required Applies: subject to exceptions the code lists after this rule § 17.05.140 · code textEvery lot and parcel in an R-2 zone shall have a rear yard of not less than 20% of the lot depth but need not exceed 20 feet subject to the following exceptions: |
| Maximum lot coverage | 45% § 17.05.144 · code textThe maximum allowable lot coverage shall not exceed 45% of the lot size. |
| Maximum floor area ratio (FAR) | 45% § 17.05.146 · code textThe maximum allowable floor area ratio shall not exceed 45% of the lot size. |
| Maximum density | 2 units for lots ≥ 5,000 sq ft Applies: lot or parcel containing not less than 5,000 square feet of area § 17.05.170 · code textFor every lot or parcel containing not less than 5,000 square feet of area, the number of units permitted is two. |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in R-2:
- Minimum front setback: 5 ft farther back than the first story — second story § 17.05.120
- Minimum side setback: 5 ft for first story; 10 ft for second story — property 50 feet or more in width § 17.05.130
- Maximum density: 3 units for lots ≥ 7,000 sq ft — lot or parcel containing not less than 7,000 square feet of area § 17.05.170
- Maximum density: 16 dwelling units per acre — lot or parcel containing not less than 9,000 square feet of area; one dwelling unit for each 2722 square feet of net area § 17.05.170
Not on this page
We did not find a general lot size limit for R-2 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-2 zone?
30 ft (whichever is lesser with 2 stories) — Norwalk Municipal Code § 17.05.110.
What is the maximum number of stories in Norwalk's R-2 zone?
2 stories (whichever is lesser with 30 feet) — Norwalk Municipal Code § 17.05.110.
What is the minimum front setback in Norwalk's R-2 zone?
15% of lot depth, no more than 15 ft required (first story) — Norwalk Municipal Code § 17.05.120.
What is the minimum side setback in Norwalk's R-2 zone?
10% of lot width, at least 5 ft first story and 10 ft second story (property less than 50 feet wide; 50 ft or wider needs 5 ft first story, 10 ft second story) — Norwalk Municipal Code § 17.05.130.
What is the minimum rear setback in Norwalk's R-2 zone?
20% of lot depth, no more than 20 ft required (subject to exceptions the code lists after this rule) — Norwalk Municipal Code § 17.05.140.
General information, not legal advice.
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