Earlier editions: 2026-09
San Luis Obispo Municipal Code § 17.18.010 Purpose and application
San Luis Obispo Municipal Code · 2026-10 edition · updated 2026-10-05 · San Luis Obispo
Cite as: San Luis Obispo Municipal Code § 17.18.010 · Text as of 2026-10-05
17.18.010 Purpose and application.¶
The R-2 zone is intended to provide housing opportunities that have locations and development forms that provide a sense of both individual identity and neighborhood cohesion for the households occupying them, but in a more compact arrangement than in the R-1 zone, and near commercial and public services. The R-2 zone generally will occur as a transition zone between zones of higher and lower residential density and/or adjacent to office (O) zones or neighborhood commercial (C-N) zones. (Ord. 1650 § 3 (Exh. B), 2018)
17.18.020 Development standards.¶
A. General Development Standards. The general property development standards for the R-2 zone shall be as set forth in Table 2-6: R-2 Zone Development Standards. See also Section 16.18.030 (Lot Dimensions) for minimum lot dimensions.
Table 2-6: R-2 Zone Development Standards
| Development Standard | R-2 Zone | Additional Regulations |
|---|
Table 2-6: R-2 Zone Development Standards
| Development Standard | R-2 Zone | Additional Regulations |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum Residential Density | 12 units/ |
See also Section 17.70.040 (Density). Regardless of the density calculation, at least two density units shall be allowed on each parcel; except this shall not apply to common interest subdivisions |
| Minimum Setbacks | Minimum Setbacks | Minimum Setbacks |
| Front | 20 feet | See also Section 17.76.030 (Front yard paving) |
| Interior Side and Rear | See Section 17.18.020(B) , Table 2-7: R-2 Zone Minimum Interior Side and Rear Setbacks | See Section 17.18.020(B) , Table 2-7: R-2 Zone Minimum Interior Side and Rear Setbacks |
| Corner Lot—Street Side | 10 feet | See Figure 2-3: Street Side Setback on Corner Lots |
| Parking Spaces | 20 feet | See Section 17.70.170(C)(10) (Enclosed and Unenclosed Parking Spaces in Front and Street Side Setback Prohibited) |
| Maximum Building Height | 35 feet | See also Sections 17.18.020(B) (Interior Side and Rear Setback Standards) and 17.70.080 (Height measurement and exceptions) |
| Maximum Lot Coverage | 50% | See also Section 17.70.120 (Lot coverage) |
| Minimum Lot Area | 5,000 square feet | See also Section 16.18.030 (Lot dimensions) |
Figure 2-3. Street Side Setback on Corner Lots
[Figure]
B. Interior Side and Rear Setback Standards. The interior side and rear setback standards for the R-2 zone shall be as set forth in Table 2-7: R-2 Zone Minimum Interior Side and Rear Setbacks. See also Figure 2-4: R-2 Zone Minimum Interior Side and Rear Setbacks and Building Height.
Table 2-7: R-2 Zone Minimum Interior Side and Rear Setbacks
| Maximum Building Height | Minimum Required Setback |
|---|
Table 2-7: R-2 Zone Minimum Interior Side and Rear Setbacks
| Maximum Building Height | Minimum Required Setback |
|---|---|
| A point this high on the roof of a building: | Must be at least this far from the property line: |
| 1—12 feet | 5 feet (minimum setback) |
| 13—15 feet | 6 feet |
| 16—17 feet | 7 feet |
| 18—19 feet | 8 feet |
| 20—22 feet | 9 feet |
| 23—24 feet | 10 feet |
| 25—26 feet | 11 feet |
| 27—28 feet | 12 feet |
| 29—31 feet | 13 feet |
| 32—33 feet | 14 feet |
| 34—35 feet | 15 feet |
Figure 2-4. R-2 Zone Minimum Interior Side and Rear Setbacks and Building Height
[Figure]
(Ord. 1705 § 10, 2021; Ord. 1657 § 5, 2019; Ord. 1650 § 3 (Exh. B), 2018)
17.18.030 Additional regulations.¶
A. High-Occupancy Residential Use. Reserved.*
* Code reviser’s note: This subsection previously contained a cross-reference to Chapter 17.148, which was repealed by Ord. 1705.
(Ord. 1650 § 3 (Exh. B), 2018)
Explained in plain English
San Luis Obispo guides that cite this page.
Get a plain-English answer with a citation back to this text.
Ask AI about this code