Chula Vista · Zoning · R-3-G
Chula Vista R-3-G zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Chula Vista's R-3-G zone, generally buildings can be up to 54 ft tall, the front setback is 15 ft and the minimum lot size is 7,000 sq ft, with the conditions listed below (Chula Vista code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 54 ft (applies to principal buildings; accessory buildings are limited to 25 ft)
- Minimum front setback: 15 ft (Parcels on major or secondary thoroughfares need 25 feet; the building line map setback takes precedence)
- Minimum side setback: 5 ft (Add two feet at 25 feet high, two more per story above; 15 feet next to R-1, R-E or R-2 if over one story)
- Minimum rear setback: 15 ft (Add two feet at 25 feet high, two more per story above 25 feet)
- Minimum lot size: 7,000 sq ft
- Maximum lot coverage: 50%
- Maximum density: 1 unit per 2,500 sq ft
R-3-G is a zoning district in Chula Vista. Every value below was read from the Chula Vista 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-G
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 | 54 ft Applies: applies to principal buildings; accessory buildings are limited to 25 ft § 19.28.060 · code textNo principal building shall exceed 54 feet in height and no accessory building shall exceed 25 feet in height, except as provided in CVMC 19.16.040 and 19.58.022. |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 15 ft Applies: Parcels on major or secondary thoroughfares need 25 feet; the building line map setback takes precedence See notes 3, 1 below the table in the code. § 19.28.070 · code textTable row “R-3-G”, column “Front (3)”: 15(1) Note 3: A front yard of 25 feet shall be required for all parcels fronting upon streets designated as major or secondary thoroughfares on the adopted Chula Vista General Plan; provided, however, that private patios and one-story portions of main buildings not exceeding 15 feet in height shall be permitted within said required front yard exclusive of the front 15 feet of said required front yard which shal Note 1: Front yards: The front setback shall not be less than that specified on the building line map. The setback requirements shown on the adopted building line map for Chula Vista shall take precedence over the setbacks required in the zoning district. |
| Minimum side setback | 5 ft Applies: Add two feet at 25 feet high, two more per story above; 15 feet next to R-1, R-E or R-2 if over one story See note 2 below the table in the code. § 19.28.070 · code textTable row “R-3-G”, column “Interior Side Yard”: 5(2) Note 2: Side and rear yards: Side and rear yard requirements shall be increased an additional two feet for 25-foot-high structures (this dimension shall include the roof), and shall be increased at the rate of two feet for each story above 25 feet. Exception: When adjacent to an R-1, R-E or R-2 zone, the side yard setback shall be increased to 15 feet for any structure over one story or 15 feet in height, |
| Minimum rear setback | 15 ft Applies: Add two feet at 25 feet high, two more per story above 25 feet See note 2 below the table in the code. § 19.28.070 · code textTable row “R-3-G”, column “Rear”: 15(2) Note 2: Side and rear yards: Side and rear yard requirements shall be increased an additional two feet for 25-foot-high structures (this dimension shall include the roof), and shall be increased at the rate of two feet for each story above 25 feet. Exception: When adjacent to an R-1, R-E or R-2 zone, the side yard setback shall be increased to 15 feet for any structure over one story or 15 feet in height, |
| Minimum lot size | 7,000 sq ft § 19.28.070 · code textTable row “R-3-G”, column “Building Site (sq. ft.)”: 7,000 |
| Maximum lot coverage | 50% § 19.28.070 · code textIn the R-3, R-3-M, R-3-T, R-3-G, and R-3-L zones, coverage shall not exceed 50 percent of the area of the site. |
| Maximum density | 1 unit per 2,500 sq ft § 19.28.070 · code textTable row “R-3-G”, column “Area per Dwelling (sq. ft.)”: 2,500 |
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, FAR limit for R-3-G in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Chula Vista Municipal Code.
Other Chula Vista zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Chula Vista's R-3-G zone?
54 ft (applies to principal buildings; accessory buildings are limited to 25 ft) — Chula Vista Municipal Code § 19.28.060.
What is the minimum front setback in Chula Vista's R-3-G zone?
15 ft (parcels on major or secondary thoroughfares need 25 feet; the building line map setback takes precedence) — Chula Vista Municipal Code § 19.28.070.
What is the minimum side setback in Chula Vista's R-3-G zone?
5 ft (add two feet at 25 feet high, two more per story above; 15 feet next to R-1, R-E or R-2 if over one story) — Chula Vista Municipal Code § 19.28.070.
What is the minimum rear setback in Chula Vista's R-3-G zone?
15 ft (add two feet at 25 feet high, two more per story above 25 feet) — Chula Vista Municipal Code § 19.28.070.
What is the minimum lot size in Chula Vista's R-3-G zone?
7,000 sq ft — Chula Vista Municipal Code § 19.28.070.
General information, not legal advice.
Ask about a Chula Vista property in R-3-G
Ask GoCodebook what you can build at a specific address and get an answer that cites the section.
Ask your question