Oakland · Zoning · RU-3
Oakland RU-3 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Oakland's RU-3 zone, generally buildings can be up to 65 ft tall and the minimum lot size is 4,000 sf, with the conditions listed below (Oakland code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 65 ft (primary building; any part above 45 feet must be set back from the side and rear yards)
- Minimum side setback: 3 ft (Lots equal to or greater than 3,000 square feet)
- Minimum rear setback: 10 ft (Residential Facilities)
- Minimum lot size: 4,000 sf
- Maximum density: 1 unit per 450 sf of lot area (Regular Dwelling Units)
RU-3 is a zoning district in Oakland. Every value below was read from the Oakland 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 RU-3
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 | 65 ft Applies: primary building; any part above 45 feet must be set back from the side and rear yards § 17.19.050 · code textTable row “Maximum height primary building”, column “RU-3”: 65 ft. |
|---|---|
| Minimum side setback | 3 ft Applies: Lots equal to or greater than 3,000 square feet § 17.19.050 · code textTable row “Minimum interior side”, column “RU-3”: 3 ft. |
| Minimum rear setback | 10 ft Applies: Residential Facilities § 17.19.050 · code textTable row “Rear (Residential Facilities)”, column “RU-3”: 10 ft. |
| Minimum lot size | 4,000 sf § 17.19.050 · code textTable row “Lot area”, column “RU-3”: 4,000 sf. |
| Maximum density | 1 unit per 450 sf of lot area Applies: Regular Dwelling Units § 17.19.050 · code textTable row “Permitted density for Regular Dwelling Units”, column “RU-3”: 1 unit per 450 sf. of lot area |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in RU-3:
- Minimum front setback: 10 ft — residential facilities on lots of 3,000 sq ft or more; gradient of 20% or less (5 ft if the street-to-setback gradient is steeper) § 17.19.050
- Minimum front setback: 5 ft — Commercial Facilities § 17.19.050
- Minimum side setback: 0 ft — Lots less than 3,000 square feet § 17.19.050
- Maximum density: 1 unit per 225 sf of lot area — Rooming Units § 17.19.050
- Maximum density: 1 unit per 225 sf of lot area — Efficiency Dwelling Units § 17.19.050
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, front setback, lot coverage, FAR limit for RU-3 in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Oakland Municipal Code.
Other Oakland zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Oakland's RU-3 zone?
65 ft (primary building; any part above 45 feet must be set back from the side and rear yards) — Oakland Municipal Code § 17.19.050.
What is the minimum side setback in Oakland's RU-3 zone?
3 ft (lots equal to or greater than 3,000 square feet) — Oakland Municipal Code § 17.19.050.
What is the minimum rear setback in Oakland's RU-3 zone?
10 ft (residential Facilities) — Oakland Municipal Code § 17.19.050.
What is the minimum lot size in Oakland's RU-3 zone?
4,000 sf — Oakland Municipal Code § 17.19.050.
What is the maximum density in Oakland's RU-3 zone?
1 unit per 450 sf of lot area (regular Dwelling Units) — Oakland Municipal Code § 17.19.050.
General information, not legal advice.
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