Richmond CM-4 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size

CM-4 is a zoning district in Richmond. Every value below was read from the Richmond 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 CM-4

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	55 ft § 15.04.202.030 · code text Table row “Building Maximum Height (ft.)”, column “CM-4”: 55; 35 within 50 feet of a Residential District
Maximum number of stories	5 stories § 15.04.202.030 · code text Table row “Maximum Stories”, column “CM-4”: 5
Minimum front setback	0 to 10 ft Applies: build-to line: the building must stand within this distance; commercial and mixed-use development (housing-only follows RM2) § 15.04.202.030 · code text Table row “Street Frontages (A)”, column “CM-4”: Min. 0; Max. 10
Minimum side setback	0 ft Applies: Commercial and mixed-use development; housing-only projects follow the RM2 setbacks § 15.04.202.030 · code text Table row “Interior Side (B)”, column “CM-4”: Min. 0; 5 where abutting a Residential District
Minimum rear setback	0 ft Applies: Commercial and mixed-use development; housing-only projects follow the RM2 setbacks § 15.04.202.030 · code text Table row “Rear (B)”, column “CM-4”: Min. 0; 10 where abutting Residential District
Minimum lot size	5,000 sq. ft. § 15.04.202.030 · code text Table row “Minimum Lot Size (sq. ft.)”, column “CM-4”: 5,000
Maximum floor area ratio (FAR)	2.0 Applies: Applies to non-residential floor area only § 15.04.202.030 · code text Table row “Maximum Non-Residential Floor Area Ratio (FAR)”, column “CM-4”: 2.0
Maximum density	82.5 units per net acre § 15.04.202.030 · code text Table row “Minimum; Maximum Density (units/net acre)”, column “CM-4”: 30; 82.5 1

Uses in CM-4

Uses the code's use tables allow in CM-4, or allow with a permit. Each links to its page with the code section.

Apartment building — Allowed — see note
Child care center — Needs an administrative use permit
Church or place of worship — Needs a conditional use permit

When a different number applies

The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in CM-4:

Maximum building height: 35 ft — within 50 feet of a Residential District § 15.04.202.030
Minimum side setback: 5 ft — where abutting a Residential District § 15.04.202.030
Minimum rear setback: 10 ft — where abutting Residential District § 15.04.202.030

Not on this page

We did not find a general lot coverage limit for CM-4 in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Richmond Municipal Code.

Other Richmond zoning districts

Who this affects

HomeownersArchitects and designersDevelopersReal estate agents

Frequently asked questions

What is the maximum building height in Richmond's CM-4 zone?

55 ft — Richmond Municipal Code § 15.04.202.030.

What is the maximum number of stories in Richmond's CM-4 zone?

5 stories — Richmond Municipal Code § 15.04.202.030.

What is the minimum front setback in Richmond's CM-4 zone?

0 to 10 ft (build-to line: the building must stand within this distance; commercial and mixed-use development (housing-only follows RM2)) — Richmond Municipal Code § 15.04.202.030.

What is the minimum side setback in Richmond's CM-4 zone?

0 ft (commercial and mixed-use development; housing-only projects follow the RM2 setbacks) — Richmond Municipal Code § 15.04.202.030.

What is the minimum rear setback in Richmond's CM-4 zone?

0 ft (commercial and mixed-use development; housing-only projects follow the RM2 setbacks) — Richmond Municipal Code § 15.04.202.030.

General information, not legal advice.