Coachella · Zoning · R-C
Coachella R-C zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Coachella's R-C zone, generally buildings can be up to 35 ft (2 stories) tall, the front setback is 15 ft and the minimum lot size is 20,000 sq ft, with the conditions listed below (Coachella code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 35 ft (Buildings not within 150 ft of an S-N, G-N or agricultural zone; the lower of two stories or 35 ft)
- Maximum number of stories: 2 stories (Buildings not within 150 ft of an S-N, G-N or agricultural zone; the lower of two stories or 35 ft)
- Minimum front setback: 15 ft (increased to the average of the adjoining zones' front yards where one or both adjoining zones are residential)
- Minimum side setback: None required (10 ft on sides adjoining a street or a residential zone)
- Minimum rear setback: None required (10 ft where the zone adjoins a residential zone)
- Minimum lot size: 20,000 sq ft (commercial uses)
- Maximum lot coverage: No limit
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 2.0 (non-residential uses)
- Maximum density: 15 dwelling units/acre
R-C (Regional Commercial) is a zoning district in Coachella. Every value below was read from the Coachella 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-C
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: Buildings not within 150 ft of an S-N, G-N or agricultural zone; the lower of two stories or 35 ft § 17.28.030 · code textThe maximum height of all other buildings shall be two stories or thirty-five (35) feet, whichever is less, except that hotels shall have a maximum height of eighty-five (85) feet. |
|---|---|
| Maximum number of stories | 2 stories Applies: Buildings not within 150 ft of an S-N, G-N or agricultural zone; the lower of two stories or 35 ft § 17.28.030 · code textThe maximum height of all other buildings shall be two stories or thirty-five (35) feet, whichever is less, except that hotels shall have a maximum height of eighty-five (85) feet. |
| Minimum front setback | 15 ft Applies: increased to the average of the adjoining zones' front yards where one or both adjoining zones are residential § 17.28.030 · code textEach lot or building site shall have a front yard of at least fifteen (15) feet in depth, except where one or both adjoining zones are residential, in which case the required yard shall be increased to equal the average of the required front yards of the adjoining zones. |
| Minimum side setback | None required Applies: 10 ft on sides adjoining a street or a residential zone § 17.28.030 · code textThere shall be no side yard requirement except where a R-C (Regional Commercial) zone adjoins a street or a residential zone, in which case there shall be a side yard of not less than ten (10) feet on the side or sides adjoining said street or residential zones. |
| Minimum rear setback | None required Applies: 10 ft where the zone adjoins a residential zone § 17.28.030 · code textThere shall be no rear yard requirement except where the R-C (Regional Commercial) zone adjoins a residential zone, in which case there shall be a rear yard of not less than ten (10) feet adjoining that residential zone. |
| Minimum lot size | 20,000 sq ft Applies: commercial uses § 17.28.030 · code textThe minimum lot size shall be twenty thousand (20,000) square feet for commercial uses. |
| Maximum lot coverage | No limit § 17.28.030 · code textMaximum Lot Coverage. None. |
| Maximum floor area ratio (FAR) | 2.0 Applies: non-residential uses § 17.28.030 · code textMaximum Non-Residential FAR. 2.0. |
| Maximum density | 15 dwelling units/acre § 17.28.030 · code textMaximum Density. Fifteen (15) dwelling units/acre. |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in R-C:
- Maximum building height: 20 ft — Within 150 ft of an S-N or G-N zone or an agricultural zone; the lower of 1 story or 20 ft § 17.28.030
- Maximum building height: 85 ft — hotels § 17.28.030
- Maximum number of stories: 1 story — Within 150 ft of an S-N or G-N zone or an agricultural zone; the lower of 1 story or 20 ft § 17.28.030
- Minimum front setback: average of the required front yards of the adjoining zones — one or both adjoining zones are residential § 17.28.030
- Minimum side setback: 10 ft — On the side or sides that adjoin a street or a residential zone § 17.28.030
- Minimum side setback: required front yard of the adjoining key lot to the rear — reversed corner lot; side yard adjoining the street § 17.28.030
- Minimum rear setback: 10 ft — Where the zone adjoins a residential zone; not where a public alley separates them § 17.28.030
Other Coachella zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Coachella's R-C zone?
35 ft (buildings not within 150 ft of an S-N, G-N or agricultural zone; the lower of two stories or 35 ft) — Coachella Municipal Code § 17.28.030.
What is the maximum number of stories in Coachella's R-C zone?
2 stories (buildings not within 150 ft of an S-N, G-N or agricultural zone; the lower of two stories or 35 ft) — Coachella Municipal Code § 17.28.030.
What is the minimum front setback in Coachella's R-C zone?
15 ft (increased to the average of the adjoining zones' front yards where one or both adjoining zones are residential) — Coachella Municipal Code § 17.28.030.
What is the minimum side setback in Coachella's R-C zone?
None required (10 ft on sides adjoining a street or a residential zone) — Coachella Municipal Code § 17.28.030.
What is the minimum rear setback in Coachella's R-C zone?
None required (10 ft where the zone adjoins a residential zone) — Coachella Municipal Code § 17.28.030.
General information, not legal advice.
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