Alameda County R-4 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size

R-4 is a zoning district in Alameda County. Every value below was read from the Alameda County 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-4

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	45 ft Applies: Dwelling § 17.16.070 · code text No dwelling in an R-4 district shall have a building height in excess of forty-five (45) feet; provided that where the lot coverage does not exceed thirty (30) percent, the building height may exceed forty-five (45) feet but shall not exceed seventy-five (75) feet.
Minimum front setback	20 ft § 17.16.060 · code text A. Depth of front yard: not less than twenty (20) feet;
Minimum side setback	10 ft plus 1 ft for each full 10 ft by which median lot width exceeds 50 ft, capped at 30 ft § 17.16.060 · code text C. Width of side yard: not less than ten feet plus one foot for each full ten feet by which the median lot width exceeds fifty (50) feet, but in no case shall it be required to be more than thirty (30) feet, or be less than required by Section 17.16.100.
Minimum rear setback	20 ft § 17.16.060 · code text B. Depth of rear yard: not less than twenty (20) feet, plus three feet for every full ten feet by which the building height exceeds thirty-five (35) feet;
Maximum lot coverage	40% § 17.16.080 · code text The lot coverage in R-4 districts, calculated as provided in Section 17.52.380, shall not exceed forty (40) percent of the area of the lot.
Maximum density	1 unit per 1,250 sq ft § 17.16.040 · code text Except as otherwise provided in Section 17.16.090, the maximum of dwelling units permitted on any lot in an R-4 district shall be calculated by dividing the area of the building site by one thousand two hundred fifty (1,250), the density limitations of this section, and the exceptions thereto provided in Section 17.16.090, are intended to indicate maximum residential occupancy, when all the regulations of this title are observed.

When a different number applies

The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in R-4:

Maximum building height: 75 ft — Dwelling on a lot where lot coverage does not exceed 30 percent § 17.16.070
Minimum rear setback: 20 ft plus 3 ft for every full 10 ft by which building height exceeds 35 ft — Building height exceeds 35 ft § 17.16.060

Not on this page

We did not find a general stories, lot size, FAR limit for R-4 in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Alameda County Municipal Code.

Other Alameda County zoning districts

Who this affects

HomeownersArchitects and designersDevelopersReal estate agents

Frequently asked questions

What is the maximum building height in Alameda County's R-4 zone?

45 ft (dwelling) — Alameda County Municipal Code § 17.16.070.

What is the minimum front setback in Alameda County's R-4 zone?

20 ft — Alameda County Municipal Code § 17.16.060.

What is the minimum side setback in Alameda County's R-4 zone?

10 ft plus 1 ft for each full 10 ft by which median lot width exceeds 50 ft, capped at 30 ft — Alameda County Municipal Code § 17.16.060.

What is the minimum rear setback in Alameda County's R-4 zone?

20 ft — Alameda County Municipal Code § 17.16.060.

What is the maximum lot coverage in Alameda County's R-4 zone?

40% — Alameda County Municipal Code § 17.16.080.

General information, not legal advice.