Torrance R-3 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size

R-3 (LIMITED MULTIPLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT) is a zoning district in Torrance. Every value below was read from the Torrance 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: buildings over two stories, counting a garage beneath the dwelling, are subject to Chapter 5 of this Division § 91.7.2 · code text The maximum building height shall be thirty-five (35) feet; provided however, that any building proposed to be higher than two (2) stories including any garage located beneath the dwelling unit as a story, shall be subject to the provisions of Chapter 5 of this Division.
Minimum front setback	20 ft Applies: Same as R-1; if half or more of the building face is set back farther, the rest may come within 10 ft § 91.7.4 · code text There shall be a front yard not less than that required in the R-1 zone provided that where fifty (50) percent or more of the face of a building is set back more than the required distance the remainder may project into the required front yard to within ten (10) feet of the property line; provided, that the total front yard area shall not be less than provided by a uniform twenty (20) foot setback.
Minimum side setback	10% of lot width, min 3 ft, max 5 ft Applies: Interior side yards; exterior side yards at least 10 ft § 91.7.6 · code text Interior side yards shall equal ten (10) percent of the width of the lot except: 1) No setback shall be required to exceed five (5) feet nor be less than three (3) feet;
Minimum rear setback	10 ft Applies: a 10 ft open-space yard between buildings may count as the rear yard; no main building within 5 ft of the rear line § 91.7.5 · code text There shall be a rear yard not less than ten (10) feet in depth and such yard shall be level, open and unoccupied; provided, however, that an unoccupied yard ten (10) feet in depth, which qualifies as open space as defined in Section 91.7.11 below is located between a building on the rear of the property and the building on the front of the property may be considered as the required rear yard, excepting that no main building shall be less than five (5) feet from the rear property line.
Minimum lot size	6,000 sq ft § 91.7.3 · code text The minimum lot area shall be one (1) recorded lot or parcel of land not less than six thousand (6,000) square feet in area.
Maximum floor area ratio (FAR)	0.6 Applies: flat building, apartment house or other residential dwelling; except as provided for in Chapter 5 of this Division § 91.7.9 · code text No flat building, apartment house or other residential dwelling shall be built, and no flat building, apartment house or other residential dwelling shall be enlarged, modified or remodeled in any way which will result in the flat building, apartment house or residential dwellings and any accessory buildings on the lot exceeding a floor area ratio (F.A.R.) of 0.6 to 1.0 except as provided for in Chapter 5 of this Division.
Maximum density	1 unit per 1,600 sq ft Applies: flat building, apartment house or other residential dwelling § 91.7.9 · code text No flat building, apartment house or other residential dwelling shall occupy a site which provides less than sixteen hundred (1,600) square feet of 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 rear setback: 5 ft — When a 10 ft open-space yard lies between the rear and front buildings; no main building closer than 5 ft § 91.7.5
Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 1.0 — housing developments consisting of three to seven units, including enclosed private garage areas § 91.7.9
Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 1.25 — housing developments consisting of eight to ten units, including enclosed private garage areas § 91.7.9

Not on this page

We did not find a general stories, lot coverage limit for R-3 in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Torrance Municipal Code.

Other Torrance zoning districts

Who this affects

HomeownersArchitects and designersDevelopersReal estate agents

Frequently asked questions

What is the maximum building height in Torrance's R-3 zone?

35 ft (buildings over two stories, counting a garage beneath the dwelling, are subject to Chapter 5 of this Division) — Torrance Municipal Code § 91.7.2.

What is the minimum front setback in Torrance's R-3 zone?

20 ft (same as R-1; if half or more of the building face is set back farther, the rest may come within 10 ft) — Torrance Municipal Code § 91.7.4.

What is the minimum side setback in Torrance's R-3 zone?

10% of lot width, min 3 ft, max 5 ft (interior side yards; exterior side yards at least 10 ft) — Torrance Municipal Code § 91.7.6.

What is the minimum rear setback in Torrance's R-3 zone?

10 ft (a 10 ft open-space yard between buildings may count as the rear yard; no main building within 5 ft of the rear line) — Torrance Municipal Code § 91.7.5.

What is the minimum lot size in Torrance's R-3 zone?

6,000 sq ft — Torrance Municipal Code § 91.7.3.

General information, not legal advice.