Placentia · Zoning · R-2
Placentia R-2 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Placentia's R-2 zone, generally buildings can be up to 35 ft tall, the front setback is 20 ft and the minimum lot size is 7,000 sq ft, with the conditions listed below (Placentia code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 35 ft (30 ft when adjacent to R-A or R-1 property; 35 ft allowed with 2 ft extra setback per additional foot of height)
- Minimum front setback: 20 ft
- Minimum side setback: 5 ft (Interior lot line. Different if bordering a major, primary or secondary street, or optional design standards are used.)
- Minimum rear setback: 10 ft (Different if the rear yard borders a major, primary or secondary street, or optional design standards are used.)
- Minimum lot size: 7,000 sq ft (Interior lot.)
- Maximum lot coverage: 50%
R-2 (LOW-MEDIUM DENSITY MULTIPLE-FAMILY DISTRICT) is a zoning district in Placentia. Every value below was read from the Placentia 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 | 35 ft Applies: 30 ft when adjacent to R-A or R-1 property; 35 ft allowed with 2 ft extra setback per additional foot of height § 23.15.040 · code textMaximum allowable height limit in the “R-2” district shall be thirty-five (35) feet, except when located adjacent to properties zoned “R-A” or “R-l,” where the maximum height shall be thirty (30) feet, however, a thirty-five (35) foot maximum height shall be permitted when two (2) feet of additional setback is provided for every one (1) foot of additional height. |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 20 ft § 23.15.070 · code textMinimum front yard in the “R-2” district shall be twenty (20) feet, fully landscaped with no encroachment except for driveways, from any street right-of-way. |
| Minimum side setback | 5 ft Applies: Interior lot line. Different if bordering a major, primary or secondary street, or optional design standards are used. § 23.15.080 · code textInterior lot line, five (5) feet, unless bordering on a major, primary or secondary street, then as set out in Section 23.81.130 or unless optional designs standards have been used as set out in Section 23.15.110. |
| Minimum rear setback | 10 ft Applies: Different if the rear yard borders a major, primary or secondary street, or optional design standards are used. § 23.15.090 · code textMinimum rear yard in the “R-2” district shall be ten (10) feet unless bordering on a major, primary or secondary street, then as set out in Section 23.81.130 or unless optional design standards have been used as set out in Section 23.15.110. |
| Minimum lot size | 7,000 sq ft Applies: Interior lot. § 23.15.050 · code textInterior lot, seven thousand (7,000) square feet; |
| Maximum lot coverage | 50% § 23.15.060 · code textMaximum allowable lot coverage by buildings or structures subject to all other regulations herein in the “R-2” district shall be fifty (50) percent. |
Uses in R-2
Uses the code's use tables allow in R-2, or allow with a permit. Each links to its page with the code section.
- Single-family home — Allowed
- Duplex — Allowed
- Child care center — Needs an use permit
- Church or place of worship — Needs an use permit
- Growing crops — Needs an use permit
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in R-2:
- Maximum building height: 30 ft — Adjacent to R-A or R-1 zoned property. 35 ft allowed with 2 ft of extra setback per extra foot of height. § 23.15.040
- Minimum front setback: 25 ft — To the garage door where a front entrance door is provided. § 23.15.070
- Minimum lot size: 8,000 sq ft — Corner lot. § 23.15.050
- Minimum lot size: 3 acres — Churches. § 23.15.050
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, FAR, density limit for R-2 in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Placentia Municipal Code.
Other Placentia zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Placentia's R-2 zone?
35 ft (30 ft when adjacent to R-A or R-1 property; 35 ft allowed with 2 ft extra setback per additional foot of height) — Placentia Municipal Code § 23.15.040.
What is the minimum front setback in Placentia's R-2 zone?
20 ft — Placentia Municipal Code § 23.15.070.
What is the minimum side setback in Placentia's R-2 zone?
5 ft (interior lot line. Different if bordering a major, primary or secondary street, or optional design standards are used) — Placentia Municipal Code § 23.15.080.
What is the minimum rear setback in Placentia's R-2 zone?
10 ft (different if the rear yard borders a major, primary or secondary street, or optional design standards are used) — Placentia Municipal Code § 23.15.090.
What is the minimum lot size in Placentia's R-2 zone?
7,000 sq ft (interior lot) — Placentia Municipal Code § 23.15.050.
General information, not legal advice.
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