Sacramento · Zoning · R-1A
Sacramento R-1A zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Sacramento's R-1A zone, generally buildings can be up to 35 feet tall and the front setback is 20 feet, with the conditions listed below (Sacramento code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 35 feet
- Minimum front setback: 20 feet (If there is no other building with a front-yard setback on the same side of the street on the same block)
- Minimum side setback: No minimum
- Minimum rear setback: five feet
- Maximum lot coverage: 50 percent
- Maximum density: 2 dwelling units per lot
R-1A (R-1A 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-1A
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 feet § 17.204.320 · code textThe maximum height is 35 feet. |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 20 feet Applies: If there is no other building with a front-yard setback on the same side of the street on the same block § 17.204.340 · 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 | No minimum § 17.204.340 · code textUnless paragraph 2 of this subsection applies, no minimum interior side-yard setback is required. |
| Minimum rear setback | five feet § 17.204.340 · code textThe minimum rear-yard setback is five feet. |
| Maximum lot coverage | 50 percent § 17.204.320 · code textThe maximum lot coverage is 50 percent. |
| Maximum density | 2 dwelling units per lot § 17.204.320 · code textA maximum of 2 dwelling units is allowed per lot. |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in R-1A:
- Minimum front setback: equal to either of the two nearest buildings' setbacks or in between the two nearest buildings' setbacks — If there are at least two other buildings with front-yard setbacks on the same side of the street on the same block § 17.204.340
- Minimum front setback: the front-yard setback of that building — If there is only one other building with a front-yard setback on the same side of the street on the same block § 17.204.340
- Minimum side setback: 5 feet — If the interior side-yard lot line abuts a lot in an R-1 or R-1B zone, or abuts a lot containing a detached single-unit dwelling § 17.204.340
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, lot size, FAR limit for R-1A 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-1A zone?
35 feet — Sacramento Municipal Code § 17.204.320.
What is the minimum front setback in Sacramento's R-1A zone?
20 feet (if there is no other building with a front-yard setback on the same side of the street on the same block) — Sacramento Municipal Code § 17.204.340.
What is the minimum side setback in Sacramento's R-1A zone?
No minimum — Sacramento Municipal Code § 17.204.340.
What is the minimum rear setback in Sacramento's R-1A zone?
five feet — Sacramento Municipal Code § 17.204.340.
What is the maximum lot coverage in Sacramento's R-1A zone?
50 percent — Sacramento Municipal Code § 17.204.320.
General information, not legal advice.
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