Sacramento · Zoning · R-5
Sacramento R-5 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Sacramento's R-5 zone, generally buildings can be up to 240 ft tall, the front setback is 5 ft and the minimum lot size is 3,200 sq ft, with the conditions listed below (Sacramento code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 240 ft
- Minimum front setback: 5 ft (for multi-unit dwellings)
- Minimum side setback: No minimum
- Minimum rear setback: 15 ft
- Minimum lot size: 3,200 sq ft
- Maximum lot coverage: 80%
- Maximum density: 175 units per net acre
R-5 (High-Rise Residential 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-5
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 | 240 ft § 17.208.720 · code textThe maximum height is 240 feet. |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 5 ft Applies: for multi-unit dwellings § 17.208.740 · code textThe minimum front and street side-yard setback for multi-unit dwellings is five feet. |
| Minimum side setback | No minimum § 17.208.740 · code textUnless paragraph 2 of this subsection applies, there is no minimum interior side-yard setback. |
| Minimum rear setback | 15 ft § 17.208.740 · code textUnless paragraph 2 of this subsection applies, the minimum rear-yard setback is 15 feet. |
| Minimum lot size | 3,200 sq ft § 17.208.730 · code textThe minimum lot size is 3,200 square feet. |
| Maximum lot coverage | 80% § 17.208.720 · code textThe maximum lot coverage is 80%. |
| Maximum density | 175 units per net acre § 17.208.720 · code textThe maximum density is 175 dwelling units per net acre. |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in R-5:
- Minimum front setback: 3 ft — for single-unit and two-unit dwellings § 17.208.740
- Minimum side setback: 5 ft — if the interior side-yard lot line abuts a lot in the R-1 or R-1B zone or a lot containing a detached single-unit dwelling § 17.208.740
- Minimum side setback: 40 ft — Tower: the part of a building above the first 65 ft § 17.208.740
- Minimum rear setback: 5 ft — if the rear-yard lot line abuts a public alley § 17.208.740
- Minimum rear setback: 40 ft — Tower: the part of a building above the first 65 ft § 17.208.740
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, FAR limit for R-5 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
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Sacramento's R-5 zone?
240 ft — Sacramento Municipal Code § 17.208.720.
What is the minimum front setback in Sacramento's R-5 zone?
5 ft (for multi-unit dwellings) — Sacramento Municipal Code § 17.208.740.
What is the minimum side setback in Sacramento's R-5 zone?
No minimum — Sacramento Municipal Code § 17.208.740.
What is the minimum rear setback in Sacramento's R-5 zone?
15 ft — Sacramento Municipal Code § 17.208.740.
What is the minimum lot size in Sacramento's R-5 zone?
3,200 sq ft — Sacramento Municipal Code § 17.208.730.
General information, not legal advice.
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