Santa Clara County · Zoning · R1S
Santa Clara County R1S zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Santa Clara County's R1S zone, buildings can be up to 35 ft tall and the front setback is 25 ft (Santa Clara County code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 35 ft
- Minimum front setback: 25 ft
- Minimum side setback: 5 ft (For single-family and two-family dwellings)
- Minimum rear setback: 25 ft (For single-family and two-family dwellings)
- Maximum density: 8 units per net acre
R1S is a zoning district in Santa Clara County. Every value below was read from the Santa Clara 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 R1S
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 § 2.30.030 · code textTable row “Feet”, column “R1S”: 35 |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 25 ft § 2.30.030 · code textTable row “Front”, column “R1S”: 25 |
| Minimum side setback | 5 ft Applies: For single-family and two-family dwellings § 2.30.030 · code textTable row “Side”, column “R1S”: 5 5 |
| Minimum rear setback | 25 ft Applies: For single-family and two-family dwellings § 2.30.030 · code textTable row “Rear”, column “R1S”: 25 5 |
| Maximum density | 8 units per net acre § 2.30.030 · code textDevelopment density for all housing types in R1S districts shall not exceed eight units per net acre. |
Uses in R1S
Uses the code's use tables allow in R1S, or allow with a permit. Each links to its page with the code section.
- Duplex — Allowed — see note
- Apartment building — Needs an architecture and site approval (asa) — see note
- Church or place of worship — Needs an architecture and site approval (asa) — see note
- Community garden — Allowed
- Horses and stables — Allowed — see note
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, lot size, lot coverage, FAR limit for R1S in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Santa Clara County Municipal Code.
Other Santa Clara County zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Santa Clara County's R1S zone?
35 ft — Santa Clara County Municipal Code § 2.30.030.
What is the minimum front setback in Santa Clara County's R1S zone?
25 ft — Santa Clara County Municipal Code § 2.30.030.
What is the minimum side setback in Santa Clara County's R1S zone?
5 ft (for single-family and two-family dwellings) — Santa Clara County Municipal Code § 2.30.030.
What is the minimum rear setback in Santa Clara County's R1S zone?
25 ft (for single-family and two-family dwellings) — Santa Clara County Municipal Code § 2.30.030.
What is the maximum density in Santa Clara County's R1S zone?
8 units per net acre — Santa Clara County Municipal Code § 2.30.030.
General information, not legal advice.
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