Redwood City R-5 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size

R-5 (MULTI-FAMILY—HIGH 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-5

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	75 ft Applies: Uses other than single-family homes and duplexes. On a parcel at least 100 ft wide and 20,000 sq ft, up to 100 ft. § 10.3 · code text The maximum building height for structures of all other types of use is seventy-five (75) feet, except as follows:
Minimum front setback	15 ft Applies: carport entrances and garage doors must be set back 20 ft § 10.7 · code text Structures must be set back a minimum of fifteen (15) feet from the front property line; carport entrances and garages 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; applies to each interior side yard § 10.7 · code text One-story structures must be set back a minimum distance of ten percent (10%) of the lot width for each interior side yard. In no case shall the minimum required setback be less than four (4) feet or more than six (6) feet.
Minimum lot size	5,000 sq ft § 10.4 · code text The minimum lot size is five thousand (5,000) square feet.
Maximum lot coverage	60% § 10.6 · code text The maximum lot coverage is sixty percent (60%).

Uses in R-5

Uses the code's use tables allow in R-5, 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

The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in R-5:

Maximum building height: 28 ft — Single family homes and duplexes § 10.3
Maximum building height: No maximum height limit — On any parcel having an average width of at least 150 feet and an area of at least 40,000 square feet § 10.3
Minimum front setback: 20 ft — Carport entrances and garage doors § 10.7
Minimum front setback: One-half the height of the building — The fifth story and above § 10.7
Minimum side setback: One-half the height of the building — The fifth story and above on corner lots § 10.7

Not on this page

We did not find a general stories, rear setback, FAR, density limit for R-5 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

HomeownersArchitects and designersDevelopersReal estate agents

Frequently asked questions

What is the maximum building height in Redwood City's R-5 zone?

75 ft (uses other than single-family homes and duplexes. On a parcel at least 100 ft wide and 20,000 sq ft, up to 100 ft) — Redwood City Municipal Code § 10.3.

What is the minimum front setback in Redwood City's R-5 zone?

15 ft (carport entrances and garage doors must be set back 20 ft) — Redwood City Municipal Code § 10.7.

What is the minimum side setback in Redwood City's R-5 zone?

10% of lot width, min 4 ft, max 6 ft (one-story structures; applies to each interior side yard) — Redwood City Municipal Code § 10.7.

What is the minimum lot size in Redwood City's R-5 zone?

5,000 sq ft — Redwood City Municipal Code § 10.4.

What is the maximum lot coverage in Redwood City's R-5 zone?

60% — Redwood City Municipal Code § 10.6.

General information, not legal advice.