Sacramento R-2 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size

R-2 (R-2 zone) is a zoning district in Sacramento. Every value below was read from the Sacramento 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 feet § 17.204.520 · code text The maximum height is 35 feet.
Minimum front setback	20 feet Applies: No other building with a front-yard setback on the same side of the street on the same block § 17.204.540 · code text If there is no other building with a front-yard setback on the same side of the street on the same block as the lot for which the setback is being determined, the minimum front-yard setback is 20 feet.
Minimum side setback	No minimum § 17.204.540 · code text Unless paragraph 2 of this subsection applies, no minimum interior side-yard setback is required.
Minimum rear setback	15 feet § 17.204.540 · code text Unless paragraph 2 of this subsection applies, the minimum rear-yard setback is 15 feet.
Minimum lot size	5,200 square feet Applies: Interior lots § 17.204.530 · code text The minimum lot size is 5,200 square feet for interior lots and 6,200 square feet for corner lots.
Maximum lot coverage	40 percent or 2,500 square feet, whichever is greater Applies: in no event may lot coverage exceed 50 percent § 17.204.520 · code text The maximum lot coverage is 40 percent or 2,500 square feet, whichever is greater; provided, in no event shall lot coverage exceed 50 percent.
Maximum density	2 dwelling units per lot § 17.204.520 · code text A maximum of 2 dwelling units is allowed per lot.

When a different number applies

The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in R-2:

Minimum side setback: 5 feet — Interior side-yard lot line abuts a lot in the R-1 or R-1B zone, or abuts a lot containing a detached single-unit dwelling § 17.204.540
Minimum rear setback: 5 feet — Rear lot line abuts a public alley § 17.204.540
Minimum lot size: 6,200 square feet — Corner lots § 17.204.530
Maximum lot coverage: 50 percent — In no event shall lot coverage exceed 50 percent § 17.204.520

Not on this page

We did not find a general stories, FAR limit for R-2 in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Sacramento Municipal Code.

Other Sacramento zoning districts

Who this affects

HomeownersArchitects and designersDevelopersReal estate agents

Frequently asked questions

What is the maximum building height in Sacramento's R-2 zone?

35 feet — Sacramento Municipal Code § 17.204.520.

What is the minimum front setback in Sacramento's R-2 zone?

20 feet (no other building with a front-yard setback on the same side of the street on the same block) — Sacramento Municipal Code § 17.204.540.

What is the minimum side setback in Sacramento's R-2 zone?

No minimum — Sacramento Municipal Code § 17.204.540.

What is the minimum rear setback in Sacramento's R-2 zone?

15 feet — Sacramento Municipal Code § 17.204.540.

What is the minimum lot size in Sacramento's R-2 zone?

5,200 square feet (interior lots) — Sacramento Municipal Code § 17.204.530.

General information, not legal advice.