Westminster · Zoning · R5
Westminster R5 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Westminster's R5 zone, generally buildings can be up to width of the widest abutting street tall, the front setback is 50 ft from street centerline or 20 ft from ultimate right-of-way line, whichever is less and the minimum lot size is 10,000 sq ft, with the conditions listed below (Westminster code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: width of the widest abutting street (more than 150 feet from an R1 zoning district)
- Minimum front setback: 50 ft from street centerline or 20 ft from ultimate right-of-way line, whichever is less (streets 80 ft or more wide, Westminster Blvd and state highways have other setbacks (note 11))
- Minimum side setback: 5 ft (single-story structures up to 15 feet in height)
- Minimum rear setback: 10 ft
- Minimum lot size: 10,000 sq ft
- Maximum lot coverage: 60%
- Maximum density: 1 unit per 1,800 sq ft
R5 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 R5
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 | width of the widest abutting street Applies: more than 150 feet from an R1 zoning district § 17.210.015 · code textTable row “In all other locations”, column “R5”: Height shall not exceed the width of the widest abutting street |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 50 ft from street centerline or 20 ft from ultimate right-of-way line, whichever is less Applies: streets 80 ft or more wide, Westminster Blvd and state highways have other setbacks (note 11) § 17.210.015 · code textTable row “Front yard”, column “R5”: 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 “R5”: 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 | 10 ft § 17.210.015 · code textTable row “Rear yard”, column “R5”: 10 feet |
| Minimum lot size | 10,000 sq ft § 17.210.015 · code textTable row “Minimum lot size”, column “R5”: 10,000 SF |
| Maximum lot coverage | 60% § 17.210.015 · code textTable row “Maximum lot coverage”, column “R5”: 60% |
| Maximum density | 1 unit per 1,800 sq ft § 17.210.015 · code textTable row “Maximum Density”, column “R5”: 1 unit per 1,800 SF |
Uses in R5
Uses the code's use tables allow in R5, 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 R5:
- Maximum building height: 25 ft — building is within 100 feet of an R1 zoning district § 17.210.015
- Maximum building height: 35 ft — building is 100–150 feet of an R1 zoning district § 17.210.015
- Maximum number of stories: 2 stories — building is within 100 feet of an R1 zoning district § 17.210.015
- Maximum number of stories: 3 stories — building is 100–150 feet of an R1 zoning district § 17.210.015
- 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
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, FAR limit for R5 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 R5 zone?
width of the widest abutting street (more than 150 feet from an R1 zoning district) — Westminster Municipal Code § 17.210.015.
What is the minimum front setback in Westminster's R5 zone?
50 ft from street centerline or 20 ft from ultimate right-of-way line, whichever is less (streets 80 ft or more wide, Westminster Blvd and state highways have other setbacks (note 11)) — Westminster Municipal Code § 17.210.015.
What is the minimum side setback in Westminster's R5 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 R5 zone?
10 ft — Westminster Municipal Code § 17.210.015.
What is the minimum lot size in Westminster's R5 zone?
10,000 sq ft — Westminster Municipal Code § 17.210.015.
General information, not legal advice.
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