Cathedral City · Zoning · R3
Cathedral City R3 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Cathedral City's R3 zone, generally buildings can be up to 35 ft tall, the front setback is 15 ft and the minimum lot size is 30,000 sq ft, with the conditions listed below (Cathedral City code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 35 ft (unless the building is within 30 ft of property zoned RE, R1 or R2)
- Minimum front setback: 15 ft (Newly-developed lots)
- Minimum side setback: 15 ft (Newly-developed lots)
- Minimum rear setback: 15 ft (Newly-developed lots)
- Minimum lot size: 30,000 sq ft (Newly-created lots; minimum net area)
- Maximum lot coverage: 60%
- Maximum density: 11 to 20 dwelling units per acre (The code sets a range: at least 11, at most 20; a high density range of 20 to 24 is also listed)
R3 (Multiple-Family Residential District) is a zoning district in Cathedral City. Every value below was read from the Cathedral City 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 R3
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: unless the building is within 30 ft of property zoned RE, R1 or R2 § 9.20.080 · code textBuilding height shall not exceed thirty-five feet except where the building is within thirty feet of property zoned RE, R1 or R2. |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 15 ft Applies: Newly-developed lots § 9.20.070 · code textFront yard: fifteen feet; |
| Minimum side setback | 15 ft Applies: Newly-developed lots § 9.20.070 · code textSide yard: fifteen feet; |
| Minimum rear setback | 15 ft Applies: Newly-developed lots § 9.20.070 · code textRear yard: fifteen feet, except garages or carports may be located up to five feet from a rear property line provided there is no direct access to an alley; |
| Minimum lot size | 30,000 sq ft Applies: Newly-created lots; minimum net area § 9.20.060 · code textArea: thirty thousand square feet; |
| Maximum lot coverage | 60% § 9.20.080 · code textMaximum building coverage shall be sixty percent of net lot area; |
| Maximum density | 11 to 20 dwelling units per acre Applies: The code sets a range: at least 11, at most 20; a high density range of 20 to 24 is also listed § 9.20.050 · code textMultiple dwellings at the medium high density range of eleven to twenty dwelling units per acre shall be permitted on any legally created lot (net lot area). |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in R3:
- Maximum building height: 16 ft — Within thirty feet of property zoned RE, R1 or R2 § 9.20.080
- Maximum building height: 26 ft — Within 30 feet of RE, R1 or R2 property; the planning commission may allow it through design review § 9.20.080
- Minimum rear setback: 5 ft — Garages or carports, provided there is no direct access to an alley § 9.20.070
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, FAR limit for R3 in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Cathedral City Municipal Code.
Other Cathedral City zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Cathedral City's R3 zone?
35 ft (unless the building is within 30 ft of property zoned RE, R1 or R2) — Cathedral City Municipal Code § 9.20.080.
What is the minimum front setback in Cathedral City's R3 zone?
15 ft (newly-developed lots) — Cathedral City Municipal Code § 9.20.070.
What is the minimum side setback in Cathedral City's R3 zone?
15 ft (newly-developed lots) — Cathedral City Municipal Code § 9.20.070.
What is the minimum rear setback in Cathedral City's R3 zone?
15 ft (newly-developed lots) — Cathedral City Municipal Code § 9.20.070.
What is the minimum lot size in Cathedral City's R3 zone?
30,000 sq ft (newly-created lots; minimum net area) — Cathedral City Municipal Code § 9.20.060.
General information, not legal advice.
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