Riverside County · Zoning · R-3
Riverside County R-3 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Riverside County's R-3 zone, generally buildings can be up to 50 ft tall, the front setback is 10 ft and the minimum lot size is 7,200 sq ft, with the conditions listed below (Riverside County code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 50 ft
- Minimum front setback: 10 ft (For buildings that do not exceed 35 feet in height)
- Minimum side setback: 5 ft (For buildings that do not exceed 35 feet in height)
- Minimum rear setback: 10 ft (For buildings that do not exceed 35 feet in height)
- Minimum lot size: 7,200 sq ft
- Maximum lot coverage: 50%
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 2.0
R-3 (R-3 GENERAL RESIDENTIAL ZONE) is a zoning district in Riverside County. Every value below was read from the Riverside 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 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 | 50 ft § 17.44.020 · code textAll buildings and structures shall not exceed fifty (50) feet in height, unless a height up to seventy-five (75) feet is specifically permitted under the provisions of section 17.172.230. |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 10 ft Applies: For buildings that do not exceed 35 feet in height § 17.44.020 · code textThe minimum front and rear yards shall be ten (10) feet for buildings that do not exceed thirty-five (35) feet in height. |
| Minimum side setback | 5 ft Applies: For buildings that do not exceed 35 feet in height § 17.44.020 · code textThe minimum side yard shall be five feet for buildings that do not exceed thirty-five (35) feet in height. |
| Minimum rear setback | 10 ft Applies: For buildings that do not exceed 35 feet in height § 17.44.020 · code textThe minimum front and rear yards shall be ten (10) feet for buildings that do not exceed thirty-five (35) feet in height. |
| Minimum lot size | 7,200 sq ft § 17.44.020 · code textThe minimum lot area shall be seven thousand two hundred (7,200) square feet with a minimum average width of sixty (60) feet and a minimum average depth of one hundred (100) feet, unless different minimums are specifically required in a particular area. |
| Maximum lot coverage | 50% § 17.44.020 · code textNo lot shall have more than fifty (50) percent of its net area covered with buildings or structures. |
| Maximum floor area ratio (FAR) | 2.0 § 17.44.020 · code textThe maximum ratio of floor area to lot area shall not be greater than two to one, not including basement floor area. |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in R-3:
- Maximum building height: 75 ft — Specifically permitted under section 17.172.230 § 17.44.020
- Minimum front setback: 10 ft plus 2 ft for each foot by which height exceeds 35 ft — Any portion of a building exceeding 35 feet in height § 17.44.020
- Minimum side setback: 5 ft plus 2 ft for each foot by which height exceeds 35 ft — Any portion of a building exceeding 35 feet in height § 17.44.020
- Minimum rear setback: 10 ft plus 2 ft for each foot by which height exceeds 35 ft — Any portion of a building exceeding 35 feet in height § 17.44.020
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, density limit for R-3 in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Riverside County Municipal Code.
Other Riverside County zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Riverside County's R-3 zone?
50 ft — Riverside County Municipal Code § 17.44.020.
What is the minimum front setback in Riverside County's R-3 zone?
10 ft (for buildings that do not exceed 35 feet in height) — Riverside County Municipal Code § 17.44.020.
What is the minimum side setback in Riverside County's R-3 zone?
5 ft (for buildings that do not exceed 35 feet in height) — Riverside County Municipal Code § 17.44.020.
What is the minimum rear setback in Riverside County's R-3 zone?
10 ft (for buildings that do not exceed 35 feet in height) — Riverside County Municipal Code § 17.44.020.
What is the minimum lot size in Riverside County's R-3 zone?
7,200 sq ft — Riverside County Municipal Code § 17.44.020.
General information, not legal advice.
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