Montclair · Zoning · R-2
Montclair R-2 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Montclair's R-2 zone, generally buildings can be up to 35 ft tall and the front setback is 25 ft, with the conditions listed below (Montclair code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 35 ft (and no more than two and one-half stories)
- Minimum front setback: 25 ft (need not exceed the average front yard depth of the lots next to it on either side)
- Minimum rear setback: 10 ft (One-story building.)
- Maximum lot coverage: 40%
- Maximum density: 1 unit per 3,750 sq ft (except for lots held under separate ownership or of official City record on June 2, 1988)
R-2 (Two-Family Residential) is a zoning district in Montclair. Every value below was read from the Montclair 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-2
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: and no more than two and one-half stories § 11.20.030 · code textThe maximum building height shall be two and one-half stories and shall not exceed 35 feet, except as otherwise provided in Section 11.38.030 of this title. |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 25 ft Applies: need not exceed the average front yard depth of the lots next to it on either side § 11.20.070 · code textA front yard having a depth of not less than 25 feet; provided, however, no front yard need be deeper than the average of the depths of the front yards of the lots next thereto on either side, a vacant lot or a lot occupied by a building with a front yard of more than 25 feet being considered as having a front yard 25 feet deep; |
| Minimum rear setback | 10 ft Applies: One-story building. § 11.20.070 · code textA rear yard having a depth of not less than 10 feet for a one-story building and 15 feet for a two-story building provided, further, that the provisions of Section 11.20.080 of this chapter shall also apply; |
| Maximum lot coverage | 40% § 11.20.060 · code textThe building area shall not cover more than 40 percent of the total area of any lot. |
| Maximum density | 1 unit per 3,750 sq ft Applies: except for lots held under separate ownership or of official City record on June 2, 1988 § 11.20.050 · code textThe minimum lot area per dwelling unit (except for lots held under separate ownership or of official City record on June 2, 1988; see Section 11.20.040 of this chapter) shall be 3750 square feet. |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in R-2:
- Minimum front setback: Average of the two neighbors' front yards (at most 25 ft) — a vacant neighbor, or a neighbor with a yard over 25 feet, counts as 25 ft § 11.20.070
- Minimum side setback: 5 ft — Interior lot with vehicular access to an alley. § 11.20.070
- Minimum side setback: 12 ft and 5 ft — Interior lot with no vehicular access to an alley; one side yard must be at least 12 feet and the other at least 5 feet. § 11.20.070
- Minimum side setback: 15 ft — Corner lot; adjacent to street side lot lines. § 11.20.070
- Minimum rear setback: 15 ft — Two-story building. § 11.20.070
- Minimum lot size: 7,500 sq ft — interior and corner lots; lots of official City record on June 2, 1988 may be smaller § 11.20.040
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, side setback, lot size, FAR limit for R-2 in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Montclair Municipal Code.
Other Montclair zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Montclair's R-2 zone?
35 ft (and no more than two and one-half stories) — Montclair Municipal Code § 11.20.030.
What is the minimum front setback in Montclair's R-2 zone?
25 ft (need not exceed the average front yard depth of the lots next to it on either side) — Montclair Municipal Code § 11.20.070.
What is the minimum rear setback in Montclair's R-2 zone?
10 ft (one-story building) — Montclair Municipal Code § 11.20.070.
What is the maximum lot coverage in Montclair's R-2 zone?
40% — Montclair Municipal Code § 11.20.060.
What is the maximum density in Montclair's R-2 zone?
1 unit per 3,750 sq ft (except for lots held under separate ownership or of official City record on June 2, 1988) — Montclair Municipal Code § 11.20.050.
General information, not legal advice.
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