Half Moon Bay · Zoning · R-3
Half Moon Bay R-3 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Half Moon Bay's R-3 zone, generally buildings can be up to 40 ft tall, the front setback is 20 ft and the minimum lot size is 5,000 sq ft, with the conditions listed below (Half Moon Bay code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 40 ft (Multi-story)
- Minimum front setback: 20 ft
- Minimum side setback: 5 ft (each side; combined side yards must be at least 20% of the average site width)
- Minimum rear setback: 20 ft
- Minimum lot size: 5,000 sq ft
- Maximum lot coverage: 45% (Multi-story)
- Maximum density: 29.04 units per acre
R-3 is a zoning district in Half Moon Bay. Every value below was read from the Half Moon Bay 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 | 40 ft Applies: Multi-story § 18.06.030 · code textTable row “Multi-story maximum height”, column “R-3”: 40' |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 20 ft § 18.06.030 · code textTable row “Minimum front setback”, column “R-3”: 20' |
| Minimum side setback | 5 ft Applies: each side; combined side yards must be at least 20% of the average site width § 18.06.030 · code textTable row “Minimum side setback”, column “R-3”: 5' |
| Minimum rear setback | 20 ft § 18.06.030 · code textTable row “Rear minimum setback”, column “R-3”: 20' |
| Minimum lot size | 5,000 sq ft § 18.06.030 · code textTable row “Minimum site area (square feet)”, column “R-3”: 5,000 |
| Maximum lot coverage | 45% Applies: Multi-story § 18.06.030 · code textTable row “Maximum multi-story site coverage”, column “R-3”: 45% |
| Maximum density | 29.04 units per acre § 18.06.030 · code textTable row “Maximum allowed density”, column “R-3”: 29.04 dwelling units per acre |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in R-3:
- Maximum building height: 20 ft — Single-story § 18.06.030
- Maximum lot coverage: 50% — Single-story § 18.06.030
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, FAR limit for R-3 in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Half Moon Bay Municipal Code.
Other Half Moon Bay zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Half Moon Bay's R-3 zone?
40 ft (multi-story) — Half Moon Bay Municipal Code § 18.06.030.
What is the minimum front setback in Half Moon Bay's R-3 zone?
20 ft — Half Moon Bay Municipal Code § 18.06.030.
What is the minimum side setback in Half Moon Bay's R-3 zone?
5 ft (each side; combined side yards must be at least 20% of the average site width) — Half Moon Bay Municipal Code § 18.06.030.
What is the minimum rear setback in Half Moon Bay's R-3 zone?
20 ft — Half Moon Bay Municipal Code § 18.06.030.
What is the minimum lot size in Half Moon Bay's R-3 zone?
5,000 sq ft — Half Moon Bay Municipal Code § 18.06.030.
General information, not legal advice.
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