Cupertino · Zoning · R-3
Cupertino R-3 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Cupertino's R-3 zone, generally buildings can be up to 30 ft (2 stories) tall and the front setback is 20 ft, with the conditions listed below (Cupertino code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 30 ft (Projects with up to four units)
- Maximum number of stories: 2 stories (Projects with up to four units)
- Minimum front setback: 20 ft (Projects with up to four units; first floor)
- Minimum side setback: 6 ft (Projects with up to four units, first floor)
- Minimum rear setback: 20 ft or 20% of lot depth, whichever is greater (main building may be 10 ft from the rear line if usable rear area is 20 times the lot width)
- Maximum lot coverage: 50% (Projects with up to four units; of net lot area, unless inconsistent with Govt. Section 65913.11)
R-3 (Multiple-Family Residential) is a zoning district in Cupertino. Every value below was read from the Cupertino 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
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 | 30 ft Applies: Projects with up to four units § 19.36.070 · code textTable row “B. Maximum Height”, column “Projects with up to four units”: Limited to two stories (not to exceed 30 feet) |
|---|---|
| Maximum number of stories | 2 stories Applies: Projects with up to four units § 19.36.070 · code textTable row “B. Maximum Height”, column “Projects with up to four units”: Limited to two stories (not to exceed 30 feet) |
| Minimum front setback | 20 ft Applies: Projects with up to four units; first floor § 19.36.070 · code textTable row “1. Front-yard”, column “First Floor”: 20 feet |
| Minimum side setback | 6 ft Applies: Projects with up to four units, first floor § 19.36.070 · code textTable row “i. Interior side”, column “First Floor”: 6 feet |
| Minimum rear setback | 20 ft or 20% of lot depth, whichever is greater Applies: main building may be 10 ft from the rear line if usable rear area is 20 times the lot width § 19.36.070 · code textTable row “3. Rear-yard”, column “First Floor”: 20 feet or 20% of the lot depth, whichever is greater. Main building may encroach as close as 10 feet to rear lot line if a usable rear-yard setback area of not less than twenty times the width of the lot is maintained. |
| Maximum lot coverage | 50% Applies: Projects with up to four units; of net lot area, unless inconsistent with Govt. Section 65913.11 § 19.36.070 · code textTable row “A. Maximum Lot Coverage”, column “Projects with up to four units”: 50% of net lot area, unless inconsistent with Govt. Section 65913.11 |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in R-3:
- Minimum front setback: 35 ft — Projects with five or more units, first floor, when located on property abutting an arterial or major collector; measured from face of street curb § 19.36.070
- Minimum front setback: 35 ft — Projects with five or more units, upper floors, floors 2 and 3, when located on property abutting an arterial or major collector; measured from face of street curb § 19.36.070
- Minimum side setback: 10 ft — Projects with up to four units, second floor or portions of building 24 feet or higher § 19.36.070
- Minimum side setback: 10 ft — Projects with five or more units, first floor § 19.36.070
- Minimum side setback: 12 ft — Projects with five or more units, upper floors § 19.36.070
- Minimum rear setback: 10 ft — Main building may stand this close if the usable rear-yard area is at least 20 times the lot width § 19.36.070
- Minimum rear setback: 10 ft additional — Projects with five or more units, upper floors, additional setback for floors more than one story higher than any adjacent primary residential structures § 19.36.070
- Maximum lot coverage: 55% — Projects with five or more units; of net lot area, unless inconsistent with Govt. Section 65913.11 § 19.36.070
Not on this page
We did not find a general lot size, FAR, density limit for R-3 in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Cupertino Municipal Code.
Other Cupertino zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Cupertino's R-3 zone?
30 ft (projects with up to four units) — Cupertino Municipal Code § 19.36.070.
What is the maximum number of stories in Cupertino's R-3 zone?
2 stories (projects with up to four units) — Cupertino Municipal Code § 19.36.070.
What is the minimum front setback in Cupertino's R-3 zone?
20 ft (projects with up to four units; first floor) — Cupertino Municipal Code § 19.36.070.
What is the minimum side setback in Cupertino's R-3 zone?
6 ft (projects with up to four units, first floor) — Cupertino Municipal Code § 19.36.070.
What is the minimum rear setback in Cupertino's R-3 zone?
20 ft or 20% of lot depth, whichever is greater (main building may be 10 ft from the rear line if usable rear area is 20 times the lot width) — Cupertino Municipal Code § 19.36.070.
General information, not legal advice.
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