Placentia · Zoning · R-3
Placentia R-3 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Placentia's R-3 zone, generally buildings can be up to 35 ft tall, the front setback is 15 ft and the minimum lot size is 8,000 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: 15 ft
- Minimum side setback: 5 ft (Interior lot line; buildings with living units and most accessory structures.)
- Minimum rear setback: 10 ft (Interior lot line, for buildings with living units and most accessory structures. 15 ft along a street frontage.)
- Minimum lot size: 8,000 sq ft (Interior lot)
- Maximum lot coverage: 60% (Counts buildings, parking areas, driveways, covered patios and oil well enclosures.)
R-3 (HIGH 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-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 | 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 § 23.21.040 · code textMaximum allowable height in the “R-3” district shall be thirty-five (35) feet, except when located adjacent to properties zoned R-A or R-1, 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 | 15 ft § 23.21.070 · code textMinimum front yard in the “R-3” district shall be fifteen (15) feet, fully landscaped with no encroachment except for driveways, from any street right-of-way. |
| Minimum side setback | 5 ft Applies: Interior lot line; buildings with living units and most accessory structures. § 23.21.080 · code textBuildings containing living units and accessory structures not specified in subdivision (B) of this subsection, five (5) feet; |
| Minimum rear setback | 10 ft Applies: Interior lot line, for buildings with living units and most accessory structures. 15 ft along a street frontage. § 23.21.090 · code textStreet frontage, fifteen (15) feet, |
| Minimum lot size | 8,000 sq ft Applies: Interior lot § 23.21.050 · code textInterior lot: Eight thousand (8,000) square feet in area and eighty (80) feet in width; |
| Maximum lot coverage | 60% Applies: Counts buildings, parking areas, driveways, covered patios and oil well enclosures. § 23.21.060 · code textNot more than sixty (60) percent of the total area shall be devoted to main and accessory building area, parking area, driveways, covered patios (not including lattice patio covers) and oil well enclosures. |
Uses in R-3
Uses the code's use tables allow in R-3, or allow with a permit. Each links to its page with the code section.
- Single-family home — Needs an use permit — see note
- Duplex — Allowed
- Apartment building — Allowed
- Child care center — Needs an use permit
- Church or place of worship — Needs an use permit
- Private school — Needs an use permit
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in R-3:
- 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. § 23.21.040
- Minimum side setback: 10 ft — Street side of a corner lot § 23.21.080
- Minimum side setback: 0 ft — Garages and carports at an interior lot line, if the planning commission approves; not where it abuts R-1 property. § 23.21.080
- Minimum rear setback: 0 ft — Garages and carports at an interior lot line, if the planning commission approves; not where it abuts R-1 property. § 23.21.090
- Minimum lot size: 9,000 sq ft — Corner lot § 23.21.050
- Minimum lot size: 40,000 sq ft — School, churches and recreational uses § 23.21.050
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, FAR, density limit for R-3 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-3 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 § 23.21.040.
What is the minimum front setback in Placentia's R-3 zone?
15 ft — Placentia Municipal Code § 23.21.070.
What is the minimum side setback in Placentia's R-3 zone?
5 ft (interior lot line; buildings with living units and most accessory structures) — Placentia Municipal Code § 23.21.080.
What is the minimum rear setback in Placentia's R-3 zone?
10 ft (interior lot line, for buildings with living units and most accessory structures. 15 ft along a street frontage) — Placentia Municipal Code § 23.21.090.
What is the minimum lot size in Placentia's R-3 zone?
8,000 sq ft (interior lot) — Placentia Municipal Code § 23.21.050.
General information, not legal advice.
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