Redwood City · Zoning · R-3
Redwood City R-3 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Redwood City'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 5,000 sq ft, with the conditions listed below (Redwood City code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 35 ft
- Minimum front setback: 15 ft (carport entrances and garage doors must be set back 20 ft)
- Minimum side setback: 10% of lot width, min 4 ft, max 6 ft (one-story structures; two-story requirements are in Section 32.3)
- Minimum rear setback: 20 ft
- Minimum lot size: 5,000 sq ft
- Maximum lot coverage: 60%
R-3 (MULTI-FAMILY—LOW DENSITY) is a zoning district in Redwood City. Every value below was read from the Redwood City 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 § 8.3 · code textThe maximum building height for all structures is thirty-five (35) feet, except single-family homes and duplexes which have a maximum building height of twenty-eight (28) feet. |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 15 ft Applies: carport entrances and garage doors must be set back 20 ft § 8.7 · code textStructures must be set back a minimum of fifteen (15) feet from the front property line; carport entrances and garage doors must be set back a minimum of twenty (20) feet. |
| Minimum side setback | 10% of lot width, min 4 ft, max 6 ft Applies: one-story structures; two-story requirements are in Section 32.3 § 8.7 · code textOne-story structures must be set back a minimum distance of ten percent (10%) of the lot width at each interior side yard. In no case shall the minimum required setback be less than four (4) feet or more than six (6) feet. For two-story requirements, see Section 32.3 (Supplemental Setback Requirements). |
| Minimum rear setback | 20 ft § 8.7 · code textStructures must be set back twenty (20) feet from the rear property line. |
| Minimum lot size | 5,000 sq ft § 8.4 · code textThe minimum lot size is five thousand (5,000) square feet. |
| Maximum lot coverage | 60% § 8.6 · code textThe maximum lot coverage is sixty percent (60%). |
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.
- Duplex — Allowed
- Church or place of worship — Needs an use permit
When a different number applies
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 Redwood City Municipal Code.
Other Redwood City zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Redwood City's R-3 zone?
35 ft — Redwood City Municipal Code § 8.3.
What is the minimum front setback in Redwood City's R-3 zone?
15 ft (carport entrances and garage doors must be set back 20 ft) — Redwood City Municipal Code § 8.7.
What is the minimum side setback in Redwood City's R-3 zone?
10% of lot width, min 4 ft, max 6 ft (one-story structures; two-story requirements are in Section 32.3) — Redwood City Municipal Code § 8.7.
What is the minimum rear setback in Redwood City's R-3 zone?
20 ft — Redwood City Municipal Code § 8.7.
What is the minimum lot size in Redwood City's R-3 zone?
5,000 sq ft — Redwood City Municipal Code § 8.4.
General information, not legal advice.
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