Santa Monica · Zoning · R3
Santa Monica R3 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Santa Monica's R3 zone, generally buildings can be up to 40 ft (2 stories) tall, the front setback is 20 ft and the minimum lot size is 5,000 sq ft, with the conditions listed below (Santa Monica code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 40 ft (Housing Projects)
- Maximum number of stories: 2 stories (Tier 1 Non-Housing Projects—Base Standard)
- Minimum front setback: 20 ft
- Minimum side setback: 8 ft (Parcels 50 feet or more in width)
- Minimum rear setback: 15 ft
- Minimum lot size: 5,000 sq ft
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 1.5 (Housing Projects)
- Maximum density: 1 unit per 1,250 sq ft of parcel area (Housing Projects)
R3 is a zoning district in Santa Monica. Every value below was read from the Santa Monica 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 R3
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 | 40 ft Applies: Housing Projects § 9.08.030 · code textTable row “Housing Projects”, column “R3*”: 40. See(B) |
|---|---|
| Maximum number of stories | 2 stories Applies: Tier 1 Non-Housing Projects—Base Standard § 9.08.030 · code textTable row “Tier 1 Non-Housing Projects—Base Standard”, column “R3*”: 2 |
| Minimum front setback | 20 ft § 9.08.030 · code textTable row “Front (ft.)”, column “R3*”: 20 See(C)(E) |
| Minimum side setback | 8 ft Applies: Parcels 50 feet or more in width § 9.08.030 · code textTable row “Interior Side (ft.)—Parcels 50 feet or more in width”, column “R3*”: 8 See(E) |
| Minimum rear setback | 15 ft § 9.08.030 · code textTable row “Rear (ft.)”, column “R3*”: 15 |
| Minimum lot size | 5,000 sq ft § 9.08.030 · code textTable row “Minimum Parcel Size (sq. ft.)”, column “R3*”: 5,000 |
| Maximum floor area ratio (FAR) | 1.5 Applies: Housing Projects § 9.08.030 · code textTable row “Housing Projects”, column “R3*”: 1.5 |
| Maximum density | 1 unit per 1,250 sq ft of parcel area Applies: Housing Projects § 9.08.030 · code textTable row “Housing Projects”, column “R3*”: 1 unit per 1,250 sq. ft. of parcel area |
Uses in R3
Uses the code's use tables allow in R3, or allow with a permit. Each links to its page with the code section.
- Duplex — Allowed — see note
- Apartment building — Allowed — see note
- Rooming or boarding house — Allowed — see note
- Bed and breakfast — Needs a conditional use permit — see note
- Child care center — Needs a conditional use permit — see note
- Private school — Needs a conditional use permit — see note
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in R3:
- Minimum side setback: 4 ft, or 16% of parcel width, whichever is greater — Parcels less than 50 ft in width § 9.08.030
Not on this page
We did not find a general lot coverage limit for R3 in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Santa Monica Municipal Code.
Other Santa Monica zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Santa Monica's R3 zone?
40 ft (housing Projects) — Santa Monica Municipal Code § 9.08.030.
What is the maximum number of stories in Santa Monica's R3 zone?
2 stories (tier 1 Non-Housing Projects—Base Standard) — Santa Monica Municipal Code § 9.08.030.
What is the minimum front setback in Santa Monica's R3 zone?
20 ft — Santa Monica Municipal Code § 9.08.030.
What is the minimum side setback in Santa Monica's R3 zone?
8 ft (parcels 50 feet or more in width) — Santa Monica Municipal Code § 9.08.030.
What is the minimum rear setback in Santa Monica's R3 zone?
15 ft — Santa Monica Municipal Code § 9.08.030.
General information, not legal advice.
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