Temple City · Zoning · R-3
Temple City R-3 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Temple City's R-3 zone, generally buildings can be up to 40 ft (3 stories) tall, the front setback is 20 ft and the minimum lot size is 10,000 sq ft, with the conditions listed below (Temple City code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 40 ft (Building maximum; whichever is less with 3 stories)
- Maximum number of stories: 3 stories (Building maximum; whichever is less with 40 feet)
- Minimum front setback: 20 ft (1st floor)
- Minimum side setback: 5 ft (Interior side, 1st floor)
- Minimum rear setback: 5 ft (1st floor; property to the rear is zoned R-2 or R-3, or is non-residentially zoned)
- Minimum lot size: 10,000 sq ft (For a newly created lot)
- Maximum density: 36 units per acre (Maximum dwelling units)
R-3 (R-3 Zone District) is a zoning district in Temple City. Every value below was read from the Temple City 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 | 40 ft Applies: Building maximum; whichever is less with 3 stories § 9-1G-32 · code textTable row “Building (max.)”, column “Adjacent to R-1”: 3 stories or 40 feet in height |
|---|---|
| Maximum number of stories | 3 stories Applies: Building maximum; whichever is less with 40 feet § 9-1G-32 · code textTable row “Building (max.)”, column “Adjacent to R-1”: 3 stories or 40 feet in height |
| Minimum front setback | 20 ft Applies: 1st floor § 9-1G-32 · code textTable row “1st Floor (min.)”, column “Adjacent to R-1”: 20 |
| Minimum side setback | 5 ft Applies: Interior side, 1st floor § 9-1G-32 · code textTable row “1st Floor (min.)”, column “Adjacent to R-1”: 5 |
| Minimum rear setback | 5 ft Applies: 1st floor; property to the rear is zoned R-2 or R-3, or is non-residentially zoned § 9-1G-32 · code textWhen the property to the rear is zoned R-2 or R-3, the first story must be no less than five feet (5'), the second story rear yard setback must be no less than ten feet (10'), and the third story rear yard setback must be no less than twenty feet (20'). |
| Minimum lot size | 10,000 sq ft Applies: For a newly created lot § 9-1G-32 · code textTable row “Lot size”, column “Adjacent to R-1”: 10,000 |
| Maximum density | 36 units per acre Applies: Maximum dwelling units § 9-1G-32 · code textTable row “Maximum dwelling units (du per acre)”, column “Adjacent to R-1”: 36 |
Uses in R-3
Uses the code's use tables allow in R-3, or allow with a permit. Each links to its page with the code section.
- Single-family home — Allowed
- Apartment building — Allowed
- Church or place of worship — Needs a conditional use permit
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in R-3:
- Minimum front setback: 40 ft — 3rd floor § 9-1G-32
- Minimum side setback: 10 ft — Interior side, 2nd floor; sharing an interior lot line with an R-1 property § 9-1G-32
- Minimum side setback: Average 10 ft, no less than 5 ft — Interior side, 2nd floor; adjacent to any other zone § 9-1G-32
- Minimum side setback: 10 ft — Interior side, 3rd floor § 9-1G-32
- Minimum rear setback: 15 ft — 1st story; property to the rear is zoned R-1 § 9-1G-32
- Minimum rear setback: 10 ft — 2nd story; property to the rear is zoned R-2 or R-3 § 9-1G-32
- Minimum rear setback: 30 ft — 3rd story; property to the rear is zoned R-1 § 9-1G-32
- Maximum density: 1 unit per 1,210 sq ft — Minimum lot area per dwelling § 9-1G-32
Not on this page
We did not find a general lot coverage, FAR limit for R-3 in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Temple City Municipal Code.
Other Temple City zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Temple City's R-3 zone?
40 ft (building maximum; whichever is less with 3 stories) — Temple City Municipal Code § 9-1G-32.
What is the maximum number of stories in Temple City's R-3 zone?
3 stories (building maximum; whichever is less with 40 feet) — Temple City Municipal Code § 9-1G-32.
What is the minimum front setback in Temple City's R-3 zone?
20 ft (1st floor) — Temple City Municipal Code § 9-1G-32.
What is the minimum side setback in Temple City's R-3 zone?
5 ft (interior side, 1st floor) — Temple City Municipal Code § 9-1G-32.
What is the minimum rear setback in Temple City's R-3 zone?
5 ft (1st floor; property to the rear is zoned R-2 or R-3, or is non-residentially zoned) — Temple City Municipal Code § 9-1G-32.
General information, not legal advice.
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