Carmel-by-the-Sea · Zoning · R-1
Carmel-by-the-Sea R-1 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Carmel-by-the-Sea's R-1 zone, generally buildings can be up to 24 ft (2 stories) tall and the front setback is 15 ft, with the conditions listed below (Carmel-by-the-Sea code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 24 ft (Roof height of second story)
- Maximum number of stories: 2 stories
- Minimum front setback: 15 ft (Interior Site, Corner Site, or Double-Frontage Site)
- Minimum side setback: 3 ft (Interior side; both sides together must total 25% of site width)
- Minimum rear setback: 15 ft (Interior Site, Corner Site, or Resubdivided Corner Site)
- Maximum lot coverage: 22% of base floor area (Impermeable site coverage; on a 4,000 sq ft site this equals 10 percent of the site)
R-1 (R-1 District) is a zoning district in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Every value below was read from the Carmel-by-the-Sea 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-1
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 | 24 ft Applies: Roof height of second story § 17.10.030 · code textTable row “Roof Height of Second Story (in feet)”, column “R-1 District”: 24 |
|---|---|
| Maximum number of stories | 2 stories § 17.10.030 · code textTable row “Number of Stories Allowed”, column “R-1 District”: 2 |
| Minimum front setback | 15 ft Applies: Interior Site, Corner Site, or Double-Frontage Site § 17.10.030 · code textTable row “Interior Site”, column “Front Setback (in feet)”: 15 |
| Minimum side setback | 3 ft Applies: Interior side; both sides together must total 25% of site width § 17.10.030 · code textTable row “Interior Site”, column “Interior Side”: 3 |
| Minimum rear setback | 15 ft Applies: Interior Site, Corner Site, or Resubdivided Corner Site § 17.10.030 · code textTable row “Interior Site”, column “Rear Setback* (in feet)”: 15 |
| Maximum lot coverage | 22% of base floor area Applies: Impermeable site coverage; on a 4,000 sq ft site this equals 10 percent of the site § 17.10.030 · code textImpermeable site coverage, as defined in Chapter 17.70 CMC, shall be limited to a maximum of 22 percent of the base floor area allowed for the site (Note: on a 4,000 square-foot site this equals 396 square feet or 10 percent of the site). |
Uses in R-1
Uses the code's use tables allow in R-1, or allow with a permit. Each links to its page with the code section.
- Single-family home — Allowed
- Child care center — Needs a conditional use permit — see note
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in R-1:
- Minimum front setback: 10 ft — Resubdivided Corner Site § 17.10.030
- Minimum side setback: 5 ft — Street side setback on Corner Site or Double-Frontage Site § 17.10.030
- Minimum side setback: 9 ft — Street side setback on Resubdivided Corner Site § 17.10.030
- Minimum rear setback: 3 ft — For portions of structures less than 15 feet in height § 17.10.030
- Maximum lot coverage: up to 4% of site area — Extra coverage for a single driveway up to nine feet wide, if at least 50 percent of site coverage is permeable. § 17.10.030
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 45% — Sites of 4,000 square feet or less; maximum base floor area § 17.10.030
Not on this page
We did not find a general lot size, FAR, density limit for R-1 in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Carmel-by-the-Sea Municipal Code.
Other Carmel-by-the-Sea zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Carmel-by-the-Sea's R-1 zone?
24 ft (roof height of second story) — Carmel-by-the-Sea Municipal Code § 17.10.030.
What is the maximum number of stories in Carmel-by-the-Sea's R-1 zone?
2 stories — Carmel-by-the-Sea Municipal Code § 17.10.030.
What is the minimum front setback in Carmel-by-the-Sea's R-1 zone?
15 ft (interior Site, Corner Site, or Double-Frontage Site) — Carmel-by-the-Sea Municipal Code § 17.10.030.
What is the minimum side setback in Carmel-by-the-Sea's R-1 zone?
3 ft (interior side; both sides together must total 25% of site width) — Carmel-by-the-Sea Municipal Code § 17.10.030.
What is the minimum rear setback in Carmel-by-the-Sea's R-1 zone?
15 ft (interior Site, Corner Site, or Resubdivided Corner Site) — Carmel-by-the-Sea Municipal Code § 17.10.030.
General information, not legal advice.
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