Foster City · Zoning · R-1
Foster City R-1 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Foster City's R-1 zone, buildings can be up to 25 ft (2 stories) tall, the front setback is 20 ft and the minimum lot size is 5,000 sq ft (Foster City code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 25 ft
- Maximum number of stories: 2 stories
- Minimum front setback: 20 ft
- Minimum side setback: 5 ft
- Minimum rear setback: 20 ft
- Minimum lot size: 5,000 sq ft
- Maximum lot coverage: 50%
- Maximum density: 8 units per acre
R-1 (SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCE DISTRICT) is a zoning district in Foster City. Every value below was read from the Foster 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 R-1
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 | 25 ft § 17.12.040 · code textTable row “40”, column “Ft.”: 25 |
|---|---|
| Maximum number of stories | 2 stories § 17.12.040 · code textTable row “40”, column “Stories”: 2 |
| Minimum front setback | 20 ft § 17.12.040 · code textTable row “40”, column “Front (ft.)”: 20 |
| Minimum side setback | 5 ft § 17.12.040 · code textTable row “40”, column “Side (ft.) *”: 5 |
| Minimum rear setback | 20 ft § 17.12.040 · code textTable row “40”, column “Rear (ft.)”: 20 |
| Minimum lot size | 5,000 sq ft § 17.12.040 · code textTable row “40”, column “Minimum Area (sq. ft.)”: 5,000 |
| Maximum lot coverage | 50% § 17.12.040 · code textTable row “40”, column “(%)”: 50 |
| Maximum density | 8 units per acre § 17.12.040 · code textTable row “40”, column “(Units per Acre)”: 8 |
Not on this page
We did not find a general FAR limit for R-1 in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Foster City Municipal Code.
Other Foster City zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Foster City's R-1 zone?
25 ft — Foster City Municipal Code § 17.12.040.
What is the maximum number of stories in Foster City's R-1 zone?
2 stories — Foster City Municipal Code § 17.12.040.
What is the minimum front setback in Foster City's R-1 zone?
20 ft — Foster City Municipal Code § 17.12.040.
What is the minimum side setback in Foster City's R-1 zone?
5 ft — Foster City Municipal Code § 17.12.040.
What is the minimum rear setback in Foster City's R-1 zone?
20 ft — Foster City Municipal Code § 17.12.040.
General information, not legal advice.
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