Oakland · Zoning · S-3
Oakland S-3 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Oakland's S-3 zone, buildings can be up to 65 ft tall, the front setback is 20 ft and the minimum lot size is 2 acres (Oakland code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 65 ft
- Minimum front setback: 20 ft
- Minimum side setback: 20 ft (along any single interior side lot line)
- Minimum rear setback: 20 ft
- Minimum lot size: 2 acres
S-3 (RESEARCH CENTER COMMERCIAL ZONE) is a zoning district in Oakland. Every value below was read from the Oakland 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 S-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 | 65 ft § 17.78.120 · code textExcept for the projections allowed by Section 17.108.030, and except as provided in Chapter 17.128, no building shall exceed sixty-five (65) feet in height. |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 20 ft § 17.78.130 · code textThe minimum front yard depth on every lot shall be twenty (20) feet. |
| Minimum side setback | 20 ft Applies: along any single interior side lot line § 17.78.130 · code textThe minimum width of the side yard along any single interior side lot line of any lot shall be twenty (20) feet. |
| Minimum rear setback | 20 ft § 17.78.130 · code textThe minimum rear yard depth on every lot shall be twenty (20) feet, except that the minimum rear yard depth shall be thirty (30) feet along any portion of a rear lot line which abuts a lot in any Residential Zone. |
| Minimum lot size | 2 acres § 17.78.100 · code textEvery lot shall have a minimum lot area of two (2) acres and a minimum lot width mean of one hundred (100) feet. |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in S-3:
- Minimum rear setback: 30 ft — along any portion of a rear lot line which abuts a lot in any Residential Zone § 17.78.130
- Maximum density: 1 unit per 150 sq ft of lot area — efficiency dwelling units; one extra unit if a remainder of 100 sq ft or more is left § 17.78.150
- Maximum density: 1 unit per 150 sq ft of lot area — Rooming Units § 17.78.150
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, lot coverage, FAR, density limit for S-3 in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Oakland Municipal Code.
Other Oakland zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Oakland's S-3 zone?
65 ft — Oakland Municipal Code § 17.78.120.
What is the minimum front setback in Oakland's S-3 zone?
20 ft — Oakland Municipal Code § 17.78.130.
What is the minimum side setback in Oakland's S-3 zone?
20 ft (along any single interior side lot line) — Oakland Municipal Code § 17.78.130.
What is the minimum rear setback in Oakland's S-3 zone?
20 ft — Oakland Municipal Code § 17.78.130.
What is the minimum lot size in Oakland's S-3 zone?
2 acres — Oakland Municipal Code § 17.78.100.
General information, not legal advice.
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