Albany R-3 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size

R-3 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-3

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 Applies: Single-family § 20.24 · code text Table row “Single-family 2-family Multiple-family Public/quasi-public”, column “R-3 (20)”: 35 35/28 (14) 50/35/28 (14) 35
Minimum front setback	15 ft Applies: Through lots have a front setback at both streets § 20.24 · code text Table row “Front”, column “R-3 (20)”: 15 (15)
Minimum side setback	10% of lot width, min 3 ft, max 5 ft Applies: Interior side yard; multifamily structures need 5 ft § 20.24 · code text 10% of lot width, up to a maximum of five feet, with a minimum requirement of three feet, except that the minimum setback for multifamily structures in the R-3 District is five feet.
Minimum rear setback	15 ft § 20.24 · code text Table row “Rear”, column “R-3 (20)”: 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-3 (20)”: 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% Applies: Single-family or 2-family § 20.24 · code text Table row “Single-family 2-family Multiple-family Public/quasi-public”, column “R-3 (20)”: 50% 50% 70% (11)
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-3 (20)”: 0.55 (5) 1.50/2.0 (6)(7)
Maximum density	63 dwelling units/acre Applies: No maximum in the San Pablo Avenue Specific Plan area § 20.24 · code text Table row “Maximum Density (dwelling units/acre)”, column “R-3 (20)”: 63 (21)

Uses in R-3

Uses the code's use tables allow in R-3, or allow with a permit. Each links to its page with the code section.

Rooming or boarding house — Allowed
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-3:

Maximum lot coverage: 70% — Multiple-family § 20.24
Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 1.50 — Multifamily dwelling; up to 1.75 with twice the required open space, or 2.0 on San Pablo Avenue through-lots § 20.24

Not on this page

We did not find a general stories limit for R-3 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-3 zone?

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

What is the minimum front setback in Albany's R-3 zone?

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

What is the minimum side setback in Albany's R-3 zone?

10% of lot width, min 3 ft, max 5 ft (interior side yard; multifamily structures need 5 ft) — Albany Municipal Code § 20.24.

What is the minimum rear setback in Albany's R-3 zone?

15 ft — Albany Municipal Code § 20.24.

What is the minimum lot size in Albany's R-3 zone?

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

General information, not legal advice.