San Bernardino County · Zoning · RS
San Bernardino County RS zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In San Bernardino County's RS zone, generally buildings can be up to 35 ft tall and the front setback is 25 ft, with the conditions listed below (San Bernardino County code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 35 ft
- Minimum front setback: 25 ft (Valley or Desert Region; in the Mountain Region 15 ft on lots under 14,000 sq ft, 25 ft on larger lots.)
- Minimum side setback: 5 ft on one side, 10 ft on other (Valley or Desert Region; Mountain Region: 20 percent of lot width, up to 15 ft.)
- Minimum rear setback: 15 ft
- Maximum lot coverage: 40% (Lot of 20,000 sq ft or larger; all lots in the Mountain Region.)
- Maximum density: 4 units per acre
RS (Single Residential) is a zoning district in San Bernardino County. Every value below was read from the San Bernardino County 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 RS
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 § 82.04.060 · code textTable row “Maximum height”, column “RS Single Residential”: 35 ft. |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 25 ft Applies: Valley or Desert Region; in the Mountain Region 15 ft on lots under 14,000 sq ft, 25 ft on larger lots. See note 2 below the table in the code. § 82.04.060 · code textTable row “Front”, column “RS Single Residential”: 25 ft. (2) Note 2: A Final Map or Parcel Map may establish front yard setbacks of no less than 22 feet, provided that the average setback of all parcels in the subdivision is 25 feet. |
| Minimum side setback | 5 ft on one side, 10 ft on other Applies: Valley or Desert Region; Mountain Region: 20 percent of lot width, up to 15 ft. § 82.04.060 · code textTable row “Side - Interior (each)”, column “RS Single Residential”: 5 ft. on one side, 10 ft. on other |
| Minimum rear setback | 15 ft § 82.04.060 · code textTable row “Rear”, column “RS Single Residential”: 15 ft. |
| Maximum lot coverage | 40% Applies: Lot of 20,000 sq ft or larger; all lots in the Mountain Region. See notes 3, 4 below the table in the code. § 82.04.060 · code textTable row “Maximum coverage”, column “RS Single Residential”: Lot less than 20,000 sq. ft - Entire building envelope (3) ; Lot of 20,000 sq. ft. or larger - 40 percent (4) Note 3: Setback, Building Code, and Composite Development Plan requirements still apply. Note 4: The maximum lot coverage allowed in Chapter 82.06, Table 82-21A will prevail for allowed institutional land uses. |
| Maximum density | 4 units per acre See notes 5, 1 below the table in the code. § 82.04.060 · code textTable row “Maximum density (5)”, column “RS Single Residential”: 4 units per acre (1) ; accessory dwellings as allowed by Chapter 84.36 (Accessory Dwelling Units) Note 5: The maximum density may be greater when modified by Chapter 83.03 (Affordable Housing Incentives - Density Bonus). Note 1: Map suffix may modify. |
Uses in RS
Uses the code's use tables allow in RS, or allow with a permit. Each links to its page with the code section.
- Single-family home — Allowed
- Child care center — Needs a minor use permit (conditional use permit if the project does not qualify for a minor use permit)
- Church or place of worship — Needs a conditional use permit
- Community garden — Needs a conditional use permit
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in RS:
- Maximum lot coverage: Entire building envelope — Lot under 20,000 sq ft in the Valley or Desert Region; Mountain Region: 40 percent. § 82.04.060
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, lot size, FAR limit for RS in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the San Bernardino County Municipal Code.
Other San Bernardino County zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in San Bernardino County's RS zone?
35 ft — San Bernardino County Municipal Code § 82.04.060.
What is the minimum front setback in San Bernardino County's RS zone?
25 ft (valley or Desert Region; in the Mountain Region 15 ft on lots under 14,000 sq ft, 25 ft on larger lots) — San Bernardino County Municipal Code § 82.04.060.
What is the minimum side setback in San Bernardino County's RS zone?
5 ft on one side, 10 ft on other (valley or Desert Region; Mountain Region: 20 percent of lot width, up to 15 ft) — San Bernardino County Municipal Code § 82.04.060.
What is the minimum rear setback in San Bernardino County's RS zone?
15 ft — San Bernardino County Municipal Code § 82.04.060.
What is the maximum lot coverage in San Bernardino County's RS zone?
40% (lot of 20,000 sq ft or larger; all lots in the Mountain Region) — San Bernardino County Municipal Code § 82.04.060.
General information, not legal advice.
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