Richmond · Zoning · RH
Richmond RH zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Richmond's RH zone, generally buildings can be up to 35 ft tall, the front setback is 25 ft and the minimum lot size is 11,000 sq. ft., with the conditions listed below (Richmond code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 35 ft (Main Building)
- Minimum front setback: 25 ft (Where neighbors are built: average of their setbacks or 20 ft if less; 10 ft on 20%+ slopes if garage door is 18 ft back)
- Minimum side setback: 10 ft
- Minimum rear setback: 25 ft
- Minimum lot size: 11,000 sq. ft.
- Maximum lot coverage: 40%
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 0.65 (Non-residential floor area only; homes follow the lot-size table in the code)
- Maximum density: 5 units/net acre
RH 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 RH
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: Main Building § 15.04.201.030 · code textTable row “Main Building”, column “RH”: 35 |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 25 ft Applies: Where neighbors are built: average of their setbacks or 20 ft if less; 10 ft on 20%+ slopes if garage door is 18 ft back § 15.04.201.030 · code textTable row “Front”, column “RH”: 25 (B) |
| Minimum side setback | 10 ft § 15.04.201.030 · code textTable row “Interior Side”, column “RH”: 10 (C) |
| Minimum rear setback | 25 ft § 15.04.201.030 · code textTable row “Rear”, column “RH”: 25 |
| Minimum lot size | 11,000 sq. ft. § 15.04.201.030 · code textTable row “Minimum Lot Size (sq. ft.)”, column “RH”: 11,000 |
| Maximum lot coverage | 40% § 15.04.201.030 · code textTable row “Maximum Lot Coverage (% of Lot)”, column “RH”: 40 |
| Maximum floor area ratio (FAR) | 0.65 Applies: Non-residential floor area only; homes follow the lot-size table in the code § 15.04.201.030 · code textThe maximum non-residential floor area ratio (FAR) is 0.65 in RH, RL1 and RL2 Districts. |
| Maximum density | 5 units/net acre § 15.04.201.030 · code textTable row “(units/net acre)”, column “RH”: 5 |
Uses in RH
Uses the code's use tables allow in RH, or allow with a permit. Each links to its page with the code section.
- Apartment building — Needs a conditional use permit (up to 10 units, neighborhood mixed-use development at a neighborhood node) — see note
- Child care center — Needs an administrative use permit
- Church or place of worship — Needs a conditional use permit
- Community garden — Allowed
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories limit for RH 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
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Richmond's RH zone?
35 ft (main Building) — Richmond Municipal Code § 15.04.201.030.
What is the minimum front setback in Richmond's RH zone?
25 ft (where neighbors are built: average of their setbacks or 20 ft if less; 10 ft on 20%+ slopes if garage door is 18 ft back) — Richmond Municipal Code § 15.04.201.030.
What is the minimum side setback in Richmond's RH zone?
10 ft — Richmond Municipal Code § 15.04.201.030.
What is the minimum rear setback in Richmond's RH zone?
25 ft — Richmond Municipal Code § 15.04.201.030.
What is the minimum lot size in Richmond's RH zone?
11,000 sq. ft. — Richmond Municipal Code § 15.04.201.030.
General information, not legal advice.
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