Hollister RE zoning: height, setbacks and lot size

RE (Residential Estate) is a zoning district in Hollister. Every value below was read from the Hollister 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 RE

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 feet Applies: Residence See notes 4, 5 below the table in the code. § 17.04.030 · code text Table row “(RE) Residential Estate”, column “Building Height (4)”: Residence: 30 feet Accessory: 15 feet (5) Note 4: See building height exceptions in Chapter 17.16. Note 5: Planning Commission approval is required for accessory structures higher than 15 feet.
Minimum front setback	18 feet minimum Applies: Residence; measured from the back of the sidewalk See notes 1, 2 below the table in the code. § 17.04.030 · code text Table row “(RE) Residential Estate (R1) Low Density Residential District (1), (2) (R2) Two-Family Residential District”, column “Front Yard”: Measured from the back of the sidewalk Residence: 18 feet minimum Garage: 20 feet minimum Note 1: A single-family residence on a corner lot that has been lawfully established prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter may be reconstructed with administrative Planning and Engineering approval of a similar nonconforming setback that complies with Building and Fire Codes if it has been involuntarily damaged or partially damaged by a fire or other calamity. Note 2: An alternative to the setbacks may be allowed with administrative approvals from the Planning and Engineering Departments for placement of a residence on a corner lot to assure adequate separation of a driveway from an intersection provided there is at least 1,000 square feet of useable open space in the rear or side yard and a minimum setback of six feet from any adjoining property line and there
Minimum side setback	6 feet Applies: Interior See notes 1, 2 below the table in the code. § 17.04.030 · code text Table row “(RE) Residential Estate (R1) Low Density Residential District (1), (2) (R2) Two-Family Residential District”, column “Side Yard”: Interior: 6 feet Corner: 10 feet Note 1: A single-family residence on a corner lot that has been lawfully established prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter may be reconstructed with administrative Planning and Engineering approval of a similar nonconforming setback that complies with Building and Fire Codes if it has been involuntarily damaged or partially damaged by a fire or other calamity. Note 2: An alternative to the setbacks may be allowed with administrative approvals from the Planning and Engineering Departments for placement of a residence on a corner lot to assure adequate separation of a driveway from an intersection provided there is at least 1,000 square feet of useable open space in the rear or side yard and a minimum setback of six feet from any adjoining property line and there
Minimum rear setback	20% of lot depth, at least 15 feet and at most 20 feet Applies: corner lots: the designated rear yard is at least 15 feet See notes 1, 2 below the table in the code. § 17.04.030 · code text Table row “(RE) Residential Estate (R1) Low Density Residential District (1), (2) (R2) Two-Family Residential District”, column “Rear Yard”: 20% of lot depth, with a minimum of 15 feet and a maximum of 20 feet. For corner lots, the designated rear yard shall be a minimum of 15 feet, with the remaining interior side yard being 6 feet (1) Note 1: A single-family residence on a corner lot that has been lawfully established prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter may be reconstructed with administrative Planning and Engineering approval of a similar nonconforming setback that complies with Building and Fire Codes if it has been involuntarily damaged or partially damaged by a fire or other calamity. Note 2: An alternative to the setbacks may be allowed with administrative approvals from the Planning and Engineering Departments for placement of a residence on a corner lot to assure adequate separation of a driveway from an intersection provided there is at least 1,000 square feet of useable open space in the rear or side yard and a minimum setback of six feet from any adjoining property line and there
Minimum lot size	5 acres See note 5 below the table in the code. § 17.04.030 · code text Table row “(RE) Residential Estate”, column “Minimum Lot Size (5)”: 5 acres Note 5: Partially developed parcels with potential for infill development may be subdivided without a growth management allocation if the Planning Commission can make the following findings: (a) the minimum lot size of an existing residential use shall be at least 5,000 square feet and the setback requirements for the R1 District can be met; (b) the orientation of the single-family home will help support
Maximum lot coverage	40% § 17.04.030 · code text Table row “(RE) Residential Estate”, column “Lot Coverage (Max.)”: 40%
Maximum density	1 housing unit per five acres See notes 1, 2 below the table in the code. The code attaches note 7 to this value. This page does not show it; read the code before relying on the number. § 17.04.030 · code text Table row “(RE) Residential Estate”, column “Residential Density (1), (2), (7)”: 1 housing unit per five acres Note 1: Residential density does not include a density bonus. Note 2: Lots in the Monica Estates subdivision Tract 180 shall be considered conforming for minimum lot size.

Uses in RE

Uses the code's use tables allow in RE, or allow with a permit. Each links to its page with the code section.

Single-family home — Allowed
Apartment building — Allowed
Kennel — Needs a conditional use permit (planning commission review)

When a different number applies

The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in RE:

Minimum front setback: 20 feet minimum — Garage; measured from the back of the sidewalk § 17.04.030
Minimum side setback: 10 feet — on a corner lot § 17.04.030

Not on this page

We did not find a general stories, FAR limit for RE in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Hollister Municipal Code.

Other Hollister zoning districts

Who this affects

HomeownersArchitects and designersDevelopersReal estate agents

Frequently asked questions

What is the maximum building height in Hollister's RE zone?

30 feet (residence) — Hollister Municipal Code § 17.04.030.

What is the minimum front setback in Hollister's RE zone?

18 feet minimum (residence; measured from the back of the sidewalk) — Hollister Municipal Code § 17.04.030.

What is the minimum side setback in Hollister's RE zone?

6 feet (interior) — Hollister Municipal Code § 17.04.030.

What is the minimum rear setback in Hollister's RE zone?

20% of lot depth, at least 15 feet and at most 20 feet (corner lots: the designated rear yard is at least 15 feet) — Hollister Municipal Code § 17.04.030.

What is the minimum lot size in Hollister's RE zone?

5 acres — Hollister Municipal Code § 17.04.030.