Santa Ana · Zoning · R2
Santa Ana R2 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Santa Ana's R2 zone, generally buildings can be up to 27 ft (2 stories) tall, the front setback is 20 ft and the minimum lot size is 6,000 sq ft, with the conditions listed below (Santa Ana code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 27 ft
- Maximum number of stories: 2 stories
- Minimum front setback: 20 ft
- Minimum side setback: 5 ft
- Minimum rear setback: 15 ft
- Minimum lot size: 6,000 sq ft (Lots containing only one dwelling unit)
- Maximum lot coverage: 50%
R2 (Two-Family Residence) is a zoning district in Santa Ana. Every value below was read from the Santa Ana 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 R2
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 | 27 ft § 41-248 · code textNo primary structure shall exceed twenty-seven (27) feet nor two (2) stories in height, as measured from the lowest adjacent grade of the structure to the top of the structure. |
|---|---|
| Maximum number of stories | 2 stories § 41-248 · code textNo primary structure shall exceed twenty-seven (27) feet nor two (2) stories in height, as measured from the lowest adjacent grade of the structure to the top of the structure. |
| Minimum front setback | 20 ft § 41-249 · code textThere shall be a front yard of not less than twenty (20) feet from the street. |
| Minimum side setback | 5 ft § 41-250 · code textEach side yard shall be not less than five (5) feet for each building. |
| Minimum rear setback | 15 ft § 41-251 · code textThere shall be a rear yard of not less than fifteen (15) feet for each dwelling unit. |
| Minimum lot size | 6,000 sq ft Applies: Lots containing only one dwelling unit § 41-247.6 · code textLots containing only one (1) dwelling unit shall have an area of at least six thousand (6,000) square feet. |
| Maximum lot coverage | 50% § 41-248.5 · code textNo more than fifty (50) per cent of the lot shall be covered by structures. |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in R2:
- Minimum front setback: 10 ft — Front yard of the rear unit adjacent to the rear yard of the front unit when there are two single-family detached units on a site § 41-249
- Minimum side setback: 10 ft — Street-side yard on corner lots, for each building § 41-250
- Minimum rear setback: 10 ft — May be reduced provided the rear yard has at least 1,200 square feet of open space area, exclusive of side yard areas § 41-251
- Minimum lot size: 6,000 sq ft plus 3,000 sq ft per additional dwelling unit — Lots containing two or more dwelling units; additional 3,000 square feet for each dwelling unit in excess of one § 41-247.6
Not on this page
We did not find a general FAR, density limit for R2 in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Santa Ana Municipal Code.
Other Santa Ana zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Santa Ana's R2 zone?
27 ft — Santa Ana Municipal Code § 41-248.
What is the maximum number of stories in Santa Ana's R2 zone?
2 stories — Santa Ana Municipal Code § 41-248.
What is the minimum front setback in Santa Ana's R2 zone?
20 ft — Santa Ana Municipal Code § 41-249.
What is the minimum side setback in Santa Ana's R2 zone?
5 ft — Santa Ana Municipal Code § 41-250.
What is the minimum rear setback in Santa Ana's R2 zone?
15 ft — Santa Ana Municipal Code § 41-251.
General information, not legal advice.
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