Riverside · Zoning · RA-5
Riverside RA-5 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Riverside's RA-5 zone, buildings can be up to 35 ft (2 stories) tall, the front setback is 40 ft and the minimum lot size is 5 Acres (Riverside code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 35 ft
- Maximum number of stories: 2 stories
- Minimum front setback: 40 ft
- Minimum side setback: 20 ft
- Minimum rear setback: 25 ft
- Minimum lot size: 5 Acres
- Maximum lot coverage: 30%
- Maximum density: 0.20 dwelling units per gross acre
RA-5 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 RA-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 | 35 ft § 19.100.040 · code textTable row “Building Height - Maximum 10,15”, column “RA-5”: 35 ft. |
|---|---|
| Maximum number of stories | 2 stories § 19.100.040 · code textTable row “Number of Stories - Maximum 15”, column “RA-5”: 2 |
| Minimum front setback | 40 ft § 19.100.040 · code textTable row “A. Front 7”, column “RA-5”: 40 ft. 2 |
| Minimum side setback | 20 ft See note 16 below the table in the code. § 19.100.040 · code textTable row “B. Side 5, 16”, column “RA-5”: 20 ft. 2 Note 16: See Chapter 18.085 (Urban Lot Splits) of the Subdivision Code and Chapter 19.443 (Two-Unit Developments) of this Title for density, lot area, lot width, lot depth, side setback and rear setback requirements for residential development pursuant to California Government Code § 65852.21 and § 66411.7. |
| Minimum rear setback | 25 ft See note 16 below the table in the code. § 19.100.040 · code textTable row “C. Rear 5, 16”, column “RA-5”: 25 ft. 2 Note 16: See Chapter 18.085 (Urban Lot Splits) of the Subdivision Code and Chapter 19.443 (Two-Unit Developments) of this Title for density, lot area, lot width, lot depth, side setback and rear setback requirements for residential development pursuant to California Government Code § 65852.21 and § 66411.7. |
| Minimum lot size | 5 Acres § 19.100.040 · code textTable row “Lot Area - Minimum (Net) 16”, column “RA-5”: 5 Acres 2,9,14 |
| Maximum lot coverage | 30% § 19.100.040 · code textTable row “Lot Coverage - Maximum”, column “RA-5”: 30% |
| Maximum density | 0.20 dwelling units per gross acre § 19.100.040 · code textTable row “Density - Maximum (Dwelling Units per Gross Acre) 1,15, 16”, column “RA-5”: 0.20 |
Not on this page
We did not find a general FAR limit for RA-5 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 RA-5 zone?
35 ft — Riverside Municipal Code § 19.100.040.
What is the maximum number of stories in Riverside's RA-5 zone?
2 stories — Riverside Municipal Code § 19.100.040.
What is the minimum front setback in Riverside's RA-5 zone?
40 ft — Riverside Municipal Code § 19.100.040.
What is the minimum side setback in Riverside's RA-5 zone?
20 ft — Riverside Municipal Code § 19.100.040.
What is the minimum rear setback in Riverside's RA-5 zone?
25 ft — Riverside Municipal Code § 19.100.040.
General information, not legal advice.
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