Chula Vista R-3-T zoning: height, setbacks and lot size

R-3-T 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-T

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 text No 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: The building line map setback takes precedence; 25 ft on major or secondary thoroughfares See notes 3, 1 below the table in the code. § 19.28.070 · code text Table row “R-3-T”, 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	0 ft § 19.28.070 · code text Table row “R-3-T”, column “Interior Side Yard”: 0
Minimum rear setback	20 ft § 19.28.070 · code text Table row “R-3-T”, column “Rear”: 20
Minimum lot size	2,000 sq ft § 19.28.070 · code text Table row “R-3-T”, column “Building Site (sq. ft.)”: 2,000
Maximum lot coverage	50% § 19.28.070 · code text In 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 2,000 sq ft § 19.28.070 · code text Table row “R-3-T”, column “Area per Dwelling (sq. ft.)”: 2,000

Not on this page

We did not find a general stories, FAR limit for R-3-T 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

HomeownersArchitects and designersDevelopersReal estate agents

Frequently asked questions

What is the maximum building height in Chula Vista's R-3-T 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-T zone?

15 ft (the building line map setback takes precedence; 25 ft on major or secondary thoroughfares) — Chula Vista Municipal Code § 19.28.070.

What is the minimum side setback in Chula Vista's R-3-T zone?

0 ft — Chula Vista Municipal Code § 19.28.070.

What is the minimum rear setback in Chula Vista's R-3-T zone?

20 ft — Chula Vista Municipal Code § 19.28.070.

What is the minimum lot size in Chula Vista's R-3-T zone?

2,000 sq ft — Chula Vista Municipal Code § 19.28.070.

General information, not legal advice.