Sebastopol · Zoning · R3
Sebastopol R3 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Sebastopol's R3 zone, generally buildings can be up to 30 ft (2 stories) tall, the front setback is 30 ft and the minimum lot size is 8,000 sf, with the conditions listed below (Sebastopol code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 30 ft (Main buildings)
- Maximum number of stories: 2 stories (Main buildings)
- Minimum front setback: 30 ft
- Minimum side setback: 10% of lot width, or 10 ft., whichever is greater, not to exceed 15 ft. (Main building)
- Minimum rear setback: 20% of lot depth, no less than 20 ft. nor greater than 30 ft. (Main building)
- Minimum lot size: 8,000 sf (Interior lots, single-family or one duplex)
- Maximum lot coverage: 50% (On parcels ≤ 5,000 sf)
R3 is a zoning district in Sebastopol. Every value below was read from the Sebastopol 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 | 30 ft Applies: Main buildings § 17.20.030 · code textTable row “Main buildings”, column “R3”: 30 ft., 2 stories |
|---|---|
| Maximum number of stories | 2 stories Applies: Main buildings § 17.20.030 · code textTable row “Main buildings”, column “R3”: 30 ft., 2 stories |
| Minimum front setback | 30 ft See note 2 below the table in the code. § 17.20.030 · code textTable row “Front yard”, column “R3”: 30 ft. (2) Note 2: Where 75 percent or more of the lots on any one block or portion thereof in the same zoning district have been improved with buildings , the required front yard may be reduced to a depth equal to the average of the front yards of the improved lots . |
| Minimum side setback | 10% of lot width, or 10 ft., whichever is greater, not to exceed 15 ft. Applies: Main building § 17.20.030 · code textTable row “Interior side yard (main building)”, column “R3”: 10% of lot width , or 10 ft., whichever is greater, not to exceed 15 ft. |
| Minimum rear setback | 20% of lot depth, no less than 20 ft. nor greater than 30 ft. Applies: Main building § 17.20.030 · code textTable row “Rear yard (main building)”, column “R3”: 20% of the lot depth, no less than 20 ft. nor greater than 30 ft. |
| Minimum lot size | 8,000 sf Applies: Interior lots, single-family or one duplex § 17.20.030 · code textTable row “Interior lots, single-family or one duplex”, column “R3”: 8,000 sf |
| Maximum lot coverage | 50% Applies: On parcels ≤ 5,000 sf § 17.20.030 · code textTable row “On parcels ≤ 5,000 sf”, column “R3”: 50% |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in R3:
- Maximum lot coverage: 20% — On parcels ≥ 30,000 sf § 17.20.030
- Maximum lot coverage: 30% — On parcels > 15,000 sf and < 30,000 sf § 17.20.030
- Maximum lot coverage: 40% — On parcels > 5,000 sf and < 15,000 sf § 17.20.030
Not on this page
We did not find a general FAR, density limit for R3 in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Sebastopol Municipal Code.
Other Sebastopol zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Sebastopol's R3 zone?
30 ft (main buildings) — Sebastopol Municipal Code § 17.20.030.
What is the maximum number of stories in Sebastopol's R3 zone?
2 stories (main buildings) — Sebastopol Municipal Code § 17.20.030.
What is the minimum front setback in Sebastopol's R3 zone?
30 ft — Sebastopol Municipal Code § 17.20.030.
What is the minimum side setback in Sebastopol's R3 zone?
10% of lot width, or 10 ft., whichever is greater, not to exceed 15 ft. (main building) — Sebastopol Municipal Code § 17.20.030.
What is the minimum rear setback in Sebastopol's R3 zone?
20% of lot depth, no less than 20 ft. nor greater than 30 ft. (main building) — Sebastopol Municipal Code § 17.20.030.
General information, not legal advice.
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