Riverside · Zoning · BMP
Riverside BMP zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Riverside's BMP zone, generally buildings can be up to 45 ft tall, the front setback is 20 ft and the minimum lot size is 40,000 sq. ft., with the conditions listed below (Riverside code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 45 ft (Not within 200 ft of a sensitive receptor (a residential zone or use, a K-12 school, a park or open space, a day care, assisted living or a hospital); 35 ft within 200 ft)
- Minimum front setback: 20 ft (buildings 30 ft or less in height and not on an arterial street, fully landscaped; 50 ft where the lot abuts a residential zone or use)
- Minimum side setback: 0 ft
- Minimum rear setback: 0 ft
- Minimum lot size: 40,000 sq. ft. (a specific plan or master plan may allow smaller lots; a master plan needs at least five acres)
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 1.50
BMP is a zoning district in Riverside. Every value below was read from the Riverside 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 BMP
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 | 45 ft Applies: Not within 200 ft of a sensitive receptor (a residential zone or use, a K-12 school, a park or open space, a day care, assisted living or a hospital); 35 ft within 200 ft § 19.435.030 · code textTable row “a. Within 200 feet of a sensitive receptor 6, 7, 8”, column “BMP”: 35 ft. |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 20 ft Applies: buildings 30 ft or less in height and not on an arterial street, fully landscaped; 50 ft where the lot abuts a residential zone or use § 19.130.030 · code textTable row “a. Buildings over 30 ft. in height or on an arterial street”, column “BMP”: 50 or 40 ft. 4 (See Notes) |
| Minimum side setback | 0 ft § 19.435.030 · code textTable row “a. Interior Side”, column “BMP”: 0 ft. |
| Minimum rear setback | 0 ft § 19.435.030 · code textTable row “a. Rear yard”, column “BMP”: 0 ft. |
| Minimum lot size | 40,000 sq. ft. Applies: a specific plan or master plan may allow smaller lots; a master plan needs at least five acres § 19.435.030 · code textTable row “Lot Area - Minimum”, column “BMP”: 40,000 sq. ft. 2 |
| Maximum floor area ratio (FAR) | 1.50 See note 1 below the table in the code. § 19.130.030 · code textTable row “Floor-Area-Ratio (FAR) - Maximum 1, 3”, column “BMP”: 1.50 Note 1: The Approving or Appeal Authority may allow a development project to exceed a maximum FAR when findings can be made that such project (a) will not have a detrimental effect on infrastructure and municipal services, (b) will not adversely impact the surrounding neighborhood, and (c) will not likely set a precedent for additional development that would adversely affect infrastructure, service or sur |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in BMP:
- Maximum building height: 35 ft — within 200 ft of a residential zone or use, unless a freeway separates the site from it § 19.130.030
- Minimum front setback: 50 ft — Buildings over 30 ft in height or on an arterial street § 19.435.030
- Minimum front setback: 40 ft — Buildings over 30 ft in height or on an arterial street, if landscaped in its entirety § 19.435.030
- Minimum side setback: 60 ft — Adjacent to Residential Zone or use, except where the site is separated from such residential zone or use by a freeway. § 19.130.030
- Minimum rear setback: 60 ft — Adjacent to Residential Zone or use, except where the site is separated from such residential zone or use by a freeway. § 19.130.030
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 0.50 — warehousing and distribution facilities only: lots under 2 acres, within 200 ft of a sensitive receptor § 19.435.030
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, lot coverage, density limit for BMP in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Riverside Municipal Code.
Other Riverside zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Riverside's BMP zone?
45 ft (not within 200 ft of a sensitive receptor (a residential zone or use, a K-12 school, a park or open space, a day care, assisted living or a hospital); 35 ft within 200 ft) — Riverside Municipal Code § 19.435.030.
What is the minimum front setback in Riverside's BMP zone?
20 ft (buildings 30 ft or less in height and not on an arterial street, fully landscaped; 50 ft where the lot abuts a residential zone or use) — Riverside Municipal Code § 19.130.030.
What is the minimum side setback in Riverside's BMP zone?
0 ft — Riverside Municipal Code § 19.435.030.
What is the minimum rear setback in Riverside's BMP zone?
0 ft — Riverside Municipal Code § 19.435.030.
What is the minimum lot size in Riverside's BMP zone?
40,000 sq. ft. (a specific plan or master plan may allow smaller lots; a master plan needs at least five acres) — Riverside Municipal Code § 19.435.030.
General information, not legal advice.
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