Sacramento · Zoning · R-1
Sacramento R-1 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Sacramento's R-1 zone, generally buildings can be up to 35 ft tall, the front setback is 20 ft and the minimum lot size is 5,200 sq ft, with the conditions listed below (Sacramento code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 35 ft
- Minimum front setback: 20 ft (When there is no other building with a front-yard setback on the same side of the street on the same block)
- Minimum side setback: 5 ft
- Minimum rear setback: 15 ft
- Minimum lot size: 5,200 sq ft (Interior lots)
- Maximum lot coverage: 40% or 2,500 sq ft, whichever is greater (in no event may lot coverage exceed 50 percent)
- Maximum density: 1 single-unit dwelling per lot
R-1 (Single-Unit Dwelling Zone) is a zoning district in Sacramento. Every value below was read from the Sacramento 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-1
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 § 17.204.220 · code textThe maximum height is 35 feet. |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 20 ft Applies: When there is no other building with a front-yard setback on the same side of the street on the same block § 17.204.240 · code textIf there is no other building with a front-yard setback on the same side of the street on the same block as the lot for which the setback is being determined, the minimum front-yard setback is 20 feet. |
| Minimum side setback | 5 ft § 17.204.240 · code textUnless paragraph 2 or 3 of this subsection applies, the minimum interior side-yard setback is five feet. |
| Minimum rear setback | 15 ft § 17.204.240 · code textUnless paragraph 2 of this subsection applies, the minimum rear-yard setback is 15 feet. |
| Minimum lot size | 5,200 sq ft Applies: Interior lots § 17.204.230 · code textThe minimum lot size is 5,200 square feet for interior lots and 6,200 square feet for corner lots. |
| Maximum lot coverage | 40% or 2,500 sq ft, whichever is greater Applies: in no event may lot coverage exceed 50 percent § 17.204.220 · code textThe maximum lot coverage is 40% or 2,500 square feet, whichever is greater; provided, that lot coverage shall not exceed 50 percent. |
| Maximum density | 1 single-unit dwelling per lot § 17.204.220 · code textUnless paragraphs 1 or 2 of this subsection apply, the maximum density is one single-unit dwelling per lot. |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in R-1:
- Minimum front setback: Equal to either of the two nearest buildings' setbacks or in between those setbacks — When there are at least two other buildings with front-yard setbacks on the same side of the street on the same block § 17.204.240
- Minimum front setback: The front-yard setback of that building — When there is only one other building with a front-yard setback on the same side of the street on the same block § 17.204.240
- Minimum side setback: 3 ft — Interior lots less than 52 feet wide and corner lots less than 62 feet wide § 17.204.240
- Minimum rear setback: 5 ft — When the rear lot line abuts a public alley § 17.204.240
- Minimum lot size: 6,200 sq ft — Corner lots § 17.204.230
- Minimum lot size: 6,200 sq ft — Lot or lots containing two duplex units (one duplex dwelling) § 17.204.230
- Maximum lot coverage: 50% — Absolute cap: lot coverage shall not exceed 50 percent § 17.204.220
- Maximum density: 1 or 2 single-unit dwellings, or 1 duplex dwelling, per lot — Corner lots § 17.204.220
- Maximum density: 2 single-unit dwellings per lot — Through-lots with a depth of 125 feet or more § 17.204.220
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, FAR limit for R-1 in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Sacramento Municipal Code.
Other Sacramento zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Sacramento's R-1 zone?
35 ft — Sacramento Municipal Code § 17.204.220.
What is the minimum front setback in Sacramento's R-1 zone?
20 ft (when there is no other building with a front-yard setback on the same side of the street on the same block) — Sacramento Municipal Code § 17.204.240.
What is the minimum side setback in Sacramento's R-1 zone?
5 ft — Sacramento Municipal Code § 17.204.240.
What is the minimum rear setback in Sacramento's R-1 zone?
15 ft — Sacramento Municipal Code § 17.204.240.
What is the minimum lot size in Sacramento's R-1 zone?
5,200 sq ft (interior lots) — Sacramento Municipal Code § 17.204.230.
General information, not legal advice.
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