Westminster · Zoning · R3
Westminster R3 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Westminster's R3 zone, generally buildings can be up to 35 ft (2 stories) tall and the front setback is 50 ft from street centerline or 20 ft from ultimate right-of-way line, whichever is less, with the conditions listed below (Westminster code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 35 ft
- Maximum number of stories: 2 stories
- Minimum front setback: 50 ft from street centerline or 20 ft from ultimate right-of-way line, whichever is less (for streets 80 feet or more in width: 20 ft or 20% of street width, whichever is greater, up to 30 ft)
- Minimum side setback: 5 ft (single-story structures up to 15 feet in height)
- Minimum rear setback: 20 ft or 20% of average lot depth, whichever is less (single-story portion (max 16 ft pitched roof, 11 ft flat) may use 10 ft with 1,000 sq ft of open back yard)
- Maximum lot coverage: 40%
- Maximum density: 1 unit per 3,000 sq ft
R3 is a zoning district in Westminster. Every value below was read from the Westminster 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 | 35 ft § 17.210.015 · code textTable row “Maximum building height:”, column “R3”: 2 stories not to exceed 35 feet For height limit exceptions, see Section 17.300.025 |
|---|---|
| Maximum number of stories | 2 stories § 17.210.015 · code textTable row “Maximum building height:”, column “R3”: 2 stories not to exceed 35 feet For height limit exceptions, see Section 17.300.025 |
| Minimum front setback | 50 ft from street centerline or 20 ft from ultimate right-of-way line, whichever is less Applies: for streets 80 feet or more in width: 20 ft or 20% of street width, whichever is greater, up to 30 ft § 17.210.015 · code textTable row “Front yard”, column “R3”: Minimum 50 feet from the centerline of the street or highway upon which the building site fronts, or 20 feet from the ultimate right-of-way line, whichever is less 1, 11 |
| Minimum side setback | 5 ft Applies: single-story structures up to 15 feet in height § 17.210.015 · code textTable row “Side yard”, column “R3”: Single-story structures up to 15 feet in height/minimum 5 feet Two or more story structures over 15 feet in height/minimum 7 feet A corner lot shall have a street side yard of not less than 10 feet |
| Minimum rear setback | 20 ft or 20% of average lot depth, whichever is less Applies: single-story portion (max 16 ft pitched roof, 11 ft flat) may use 10 ft with 1,000 sq ft of open back yard § 17.210.015 · code textTable row “Rear yard”, column “R3”: Minimum 20 feet or 20% of average lot depth, whichever is less 8 |
| Maximum lot coverage | 40% § 17.210.015 · code textTable row “Maximum lot coverage”, column “R3”: 40% |
| Maximum density | 1 unit per 3,000 sq ft § 17.210.015 · code textTable row “Maximum Density”, column “R3”: 1 unit per 3,000 SF |
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.
- Single-family home — Allowed
- Duplex — Allowed
- Rooming or boarding house — Needs a conditional use permit
- Child care center — Needs a conditional use permit
- 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 R3:
- Minimum side setback: 7 ft — two or more story structures over 15 feet in height § 17.210.015
- Minimum side setback: 10 ft — corner lot street side yard § 17.210.015
- Minimum lot size: 6,000 sq ft — all other lots; corner lots require 6,500 sq ft § 17.210.015
- Minimum lot size: 6,500 sq ft — corner lots § 17.210.015
Not on this page
We did not find a general lot size, FAR limit for R3 in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Westminster Municipal Code.
Other Westminster zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Westminster's R3 zone?
35 ft — Westminster Municipal Code § 17.210.015.
What is the maximum number of stories in Westminster's R3 zone?
2 stories — Westminster Municipal Code § 17.210.015.
What is the minimum front setback in Westminster's R3 zone?
50 ft from street centerline or 20 ft from ultimate right-of-way line, whichever is less (for streets 80 feet or more in width: 20 ft or 20% of street width, whichever is greater, up to 30 ft) — Westminster Municipal Code § 17.210.015.
What is the minimum side setback in Westminster's R3 zone?
5 ft (single-story structures up to 15 feet in height) — Westminster Municipal Code § 17.210.015.
What is the minimum rear setback in Westminster's R3 zone?
20 ft or 20% of average lot depth, whichever is less (single-story portion (max 16 ft pitched roof, 11 ft flat) may use 10 ft with 1,000 sq ft of open back yard) — Westminster Municipal Code § 17.210.015.
General information, not legal advice.
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