Skip to content

Sacramento · Zoning · R-4A

Sacramento R-4A zoning: height, setbacks and lot size

In Sacramento's R-4A zone, generally buildings can be up to 75 ft tall, the front setback is 5 ft and the minimum lot size is 3,200 sq ft, with the conditions listed below (Sacramento code, read October 2026).

Key points

  • Maximum building height: 75 ft
  • Minimum front setback: 5 ft (multi-unit dwellings)
  • Minimum side setback: No minimum
  • Minimum rear setback: 15 ft
  • Minimum lot size: 3,200 sq ft
  • Maximum lot coverage: 70%
  • Maximum density: 110 dwelling units per net acre

R-4A (Multi-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-4A

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
75 ft
§ 17.208.620 · code text
The maximum height is 75 feet.
Minimum front setback
5 ft
Applies: multi-unit dwellings
§ 17.208.640 · code text
The minimum front and street side-yard setback for multi-unit dwellings is five feet.
Minimum side setback
No minimum
§ 17.208.640 · code text
Unless paragraph 2 of this subsection applies, there is no minimum interior side-yard setback.
Minimum rear setback
15 ft
§ 17.208.640 · code text
Unless paragraph 2 of this subsection applies, the minimum rear-yard setback is 15 feet.
Minimum lot size
3,200 sq ft
§ 17.208.630 · code text
The minimum lot size is 3,200 square feet.
Maximum lot coverage
70%
§ 17.208.620 · code text
The maximum lot coverage is 70%.
Maximum density
110 dwelling units per net acre
§ 17.208.620 · code text
The maximum density is 110 dwelling units per net acre.

When a different number applies

The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in R-4A:

  • Minimum front setback: 3 ft — single-unit and two-unit dwellings § 17.208.640
  • Minimum side setback: 5 ft — interior side-yard lot line abuts a lot in the R-1 or R-1B zone or a lot containing a detached single-unit dwelling § 17.208.640
  • Minimum side setback: 40 ft — Tower: the part of a building above the first 65 ft § 17.208.640
  • Minimum rear setback: 5 ft — rear-yard lot line abuts a public alley § 17.208.640
  • Minimum rear setback: 40 ft — Tower: the part of a building above the first 65 ft § 17.208.640

Not on this page

We did not find a general stories, FAR limit for R-4A 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

HomeownersArchitects and designersDevelopersReal estate agents

Frequently asked questions

What is the maximum building height in Sacramento's R-4A zone?

75 ft — Sacramento Municipal Code § 17.208.620.

What is the minimum front setback in Sacramento's R-4A zone?

5 ft (multi-unit dwellings) — Sacramento Municipal Code § 17.208.640.

What is the minimum side setback in Sacramento's R-4A zone?

No minimum — Sacramento Municipal Code § 17.208.640.

What is the minimum rear setback in Sacramento's R-4A zone?

15 ft — Sacramento Municipal Code § 17.208.640.

What is the minimum lot size in Sacramento's R-4A zone?

3,200 sq ft — Sacramento Municipal Code § 17.208.630.

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a Sacramento property in R-4A

Ask GoCodebook what you can build at a specific address and get an answer that cites the section.

Ask your question

More on Sacramento