Santa Maria · Zoning · R-3
Santa Maria R-3 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Santa Maria's R-3 zone, generally buildings can be up to 35 ft tall and the front setback is 20 ft, with the conditions listed below (Santa Maria code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 35 ft (Mixed-use projects (section 12-49.08))
- Minimum front setback: 20 ft
- Minimum side setback: 10 ft (Interior lots)
- Minimum rear setback: 10 ft
- Maximum density: 1 unit per 2,000 sq ft of net land area (Parcel less than one acre)
R-3 (HIGH-DENSITY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT) is a zoning district in Santa Maria. Every value below was read from the Santa Maria 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-3
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 Applies: Mixed-use projects (section 12-49.08) § 12-49.08 · code textTable row “Building Height”, column “R-3”: 35 |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 20 ft § 12-49.08 · code textTable row “Front Setback”, column “R-3”: 20 |
| Minimum side setback | 10 ft Applies: Interior lots § 12-49.08 · code textTable row “Side Setback”, column “R-3”: 10 |
| Minimum rear setback | 10 ft § 12-49.08 · code textTable row “Rear Setback”, column “R-3”: 10 |
| Maximum density | 1 unit per 2,000 sq ft of net land area Applies: Parcel less than one acre § 12-8.08 · code textWhen the parcel of land proposed for development is less than one acre in size, the maximum density shall not be less than 2,000 square feet of net land area per dwelling unit. |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in R-3:
- Minimum front setback: 15 ft — Garages with side entry § 12-8.10
- Minimum front setback: 18 ft — Garages with front entry and roll-up doors § 12-8.10
- Minimum side setback: 15 ft — Corner lot; side property line adjoining the street § 12-8.10
- Minimum rear setback: 20 ft — Rear yard adjoins the R-1 zoning district § 12-8.10
- Maximum density: 22 units per gross acre — Property larger than one acre § 12-8.08
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, lot size, lot coverage, FAR limit for R-3 in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Santa Maria Municipal Code.
Other Santa Maria zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Santa Maria's R-3 zone?
35 ft (mixed-use projects (section 12-49.08)) — Santa Maria Municipal Code § 12-49.08.
What is the minimum front setback in Santa Maria's R-3 zone?
20 ft — Santa Maria Municipal Code § 12-49.08.
What is the minimum side setback in Santa Maria's R-3 zone?
10 ft (interior lots) — Santa Maria Municipal Code § 12-49.08.
What is the minimum rear setback in Santa Maria's R-3 zone?
10 ft — Santa Maria Municipal Code § 12-49.08.
What is the maximum density in Santa Maria's R-3 zone?
1 unit per 2,000 sq ft of net land area (parcel less than one acre) — Santa Maria Municipal Code § 12-8.08.
General information, not legal advice.
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