Orange County · Zoning · R3
Orange County R3 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Orange County's R3 zone, buildings can be up to 65 ft tall, the front setback is 20 ft and the minimum lot size is 5,000 sq ft (Orange County code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 65 ft
- Minimum front setback: 20 ft
- Minimum rear setback: 25 ft (where the rear opens on an alley, private street, park or beach, half its width counts toward the setback, but never under 15 ft)
- Minimum lot size: 5,000 sq ft
R3 is a zoning district in Orange County. Every value below was read from the Orange County 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 R3
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 § 7-9-32.3 · code textTable row “Maximum Building Height (ft)”, column “R3”: 65 |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 20 ft § 7-9-32.3 · code textTable row “Front Setback From Ultimate Street R/W Line”, column “R3”: 20 |
| Minimum rear setback | 25 ft Applies: where the rear opens on an alley, private street, park or beach, half its width counts toward the setback, but never under 15 ft § 7-9-32.3 · code textTable row “Rear Setback From Property Line Not Abutting Street”, column “R3”: 25 or D |
| Minimum lot size | 5,000 sq ft § 7-9-32.3 · code textTable row “Minimum Building Site Area (sq ft)”, column “R3”: 5,000 |
Uses in R3
Uses the code's use tables allow in R3, or allow with a permit. Each links to its page with the code section.
- Duplex — Allowed — see note
- Apartment building — Needs a permitted for 4 or fewer dwelling units; site development permit for 5 or more; use permit for residential condominium, stock cooperative and community apartment projects (note 4) — see note
- Rooming or boarding house — Needs a permitted for 6 people or fewer; site development permit for more than 6 people (note 7) — see note
- Child care center — Needs an use permit — see note
- Church or place of worship — Needs an use permit
- Community garden — Needs a site development permit
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, side setback, lot coverage, FAR, density limit for R3 in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Orange County Municipal Code.
Other Orange County zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Orange County's R3 zone?
65 ft — Orange County Municipal Code § 7-9-32.3.
What is the minimum front setback in Orange County's R3 zone?
20 ft — Orange County Municipal Code § 7-9-32.3.
What is the minimum rear setback in Orange County's R3 zone?
25 ft (where the rear opens on an alley, private street, park or beach, half its width counts toward the setback, but never under 15 ft) — Orange County Municipal Code § 7-9-32.3.
What is the minimum lot size in Orange County's R3 zone?
5,000 sq ft — Orange County Municipal Code § 7-9-32.3.
General information, not legal advice.
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