Albany R-2 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size

R-2 is a zoning district in Albany. Every value below was read from the Albany 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-2

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	28 ft Applies: Single-family See note 12 below the table in the code. § 20.24 · code text Table row “Single-family 2-family Multiple-family Public/quasi-public”, column “R-2”: 28 (12) 35/28 (14) 35/28 (14) 35 Note 12: Planning and Zoning Commission, subject to design review criteria, may grant a use permit to allow greater height for second-story additions, up to 35 feet, measured in accordance with Subsection 20.24.080 , and based on at least one of the following findings: a. The existing house has a partial ground story that causes an increase in the overall height of the building, and there are sound design
Minimum front setback	15 ft Applies: Through lots have a front setback at both streets § 20.24 · code text Table row “Front”, column “R-2”: 15 (15)
Minimum rear setback	15 ft § 20.24 · code text Table row “Rear”, column “R-2”: 15
Minimum lot size	3,750 sq ft Applies: Single-family See note 10 below the table in the code. § 20.24 · code text Table row “Single-family 2-family Multiple-family Public/quasi-public”, column “R-2”: 3,750 3,750 3,750 10,000 Note 10: Existing lots which do not meet minimum area standards may be developed or improved as provided in § 20.44, Nonconforming Uses, Structures and Lots.
Maximum lot coverage	50% § 20.24 · code text Table row “Maximum Lot Coverage (% of lot area)”, column “R-2”: 50%
Maximum floor area ratio (FAR)	0.55 Applies: Single-family dwelling; the Planning and Zoning Commission may approve up to 0.60 in some cases § 20.24 · code text Table row “Single-family dwelling Multifamily dwelling”, column “R-2”: 0.55 (5)
Maximum density	35 dwelling units/acre § 20.24 · code text Table row “Maximum Density (dwelling units/acre)”, column “R-2”: 35

Uses in R-2

Uses the code's use tables allow in R-2, or allow with a permit. Each links to its page with the code section.

Child care center — Needs an use permit (major)
Church or place of worship — Needs an use permit (major)

When a different number applies

The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in R-2:

Maximum building height: 35 ft — Two-family or multifamily; three stories maximum; 28 ft at the front setback line, then a daylight plane § 20.24
Maximum building height: 35 ft — Public and quasi-public uses § 20.24

Not on this page

We did not find a general stories, side setback limit for R-2 in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Albany Municipal Code.

Other Albany zoning districts

Who this affects

HomeownersArchitects and designersDevelopersReal estate agents

Frequently asked questions

What is the maximum building height in Albany's R-2 zone?

28 ft (single-family) — Albany Municipal Code § 20.24.

What is the minimum front setback in Albany's R-2 zone?

15 ft (through lots have a front setback at both streets) — Albany Municipal Code § 20.24.

What is the minimum rear setback in Albany's R-2 zone?

15 ft — Albany Municipal Code § 20.24.

What is the minimum lot size in Albany's R-2 zone?

3,750 sq ft (single-family) — Albany Municipal Code § 20.24.

What is the maximum lot coverage in Albany's R-2 zone?

50% — Albany Municipal Code § 20.24.

General information, not legal advice.