San Marcos · Zoning · R-2
San Marcos R-2 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In San Marcos's R-2 zone, generally buildings can be up to 35 feet (2 stories) tall, the front setback is 10 ft and the minimum lot size is 3,500 sq ft, with the conditions listed below (San Marcos code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 35 feet (or 2 stories, whichever is less)
- Maximum number of stories: 2 stories (or 35 feet, whichever is less)
- Minimum front setback: 10 ft (living/front setback)
- Minimum side setback: 5 ft (0 ft on the attached side of attached single-family homes)
- Minimum rear setback: 15 ft
- Minimum lot size: 3,500 sq ft (net area; subject to the gross slope/acreage analysis (Section 20.300.040), so sloped sites may need larger lots)
- Maximum density: 12.0 units per gross acre
R-2 is a zoning district in San Marcos. Every value below was read from the San Marcos 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 Applies: or 2 stories, whichever is less § 20.215.050 · code textTable row “Maximum Building Height”, column “R-2”: 35 feet or 2 stories |
|---|---|
| Maximum number of stories | 2 stories Applies: or 35 feet, whichever is less § 20.215.050 · code textTable row “Maximum Building Height”, column “R-2”: 35 feet or 2 stories |
| Minimum front setback | 10 ft Applies: living/front setback § 20.215.050 · code textTable row “Front, Living”, column “R-2”: 10 feet |
| Minimum side setback | 5 ft Applies: 0 ft on the attached side of attached single-family homes § 20.215.050 · code textTable row “Interior Side”, column “R-2”: 5 feet* |
| Minimum rear setback | 15 ft § 20.215.050 · code textTable row “Rear”, column “R-2”: 15 feet |
| Minimum lot size | 3,500 sq ft Applies: net area; subject to the gross slope/acreage analysis (Section 20.300.040), so sloped sites may need larger lots § 20.215.050 · code textTable row “Minimum”, column “R-2”: 3,500 (4) |
| Maximum density | 12.0 units per gross acre § 20.215.050 · code textTable row “Maximum Density”, column “R-2”: 12.0 |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in R-2:
- Minimum front setback: 20 ft — garage/front setback; turn-in garages permitted at 15-foot front setback § 20.215.050
Not on this page
We did not find a general lot coverage, FAR limit for R-2 in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the San Marcos Municipal Code.
Other San Marcos zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in San Marcos's R-2 zone?
35 feet (or 2 stories, whichever is less) — San Marcos Municipal Code § 20.215.050.
What is the maximum number of stories in San Marcos's R-2 zone?
2 stories (or 35 feet, whichever is less) — San Marcos Municipal Code § 20.215.050.
What is the minimum front setback in San Marcos's R-2 zone?
10 ft (living/front setback) — San Marcos Municipal Code § 20.215.050.
What is the minimum side setback in San Marcos's R-2 zone?
5 ft (0 ft on the attached side of attached single-family homes) — San Marcos Municipal Code § 20.215.050.
What is the minimum rear setback in San Marcos's R-2 zone?
15 ft — San Marcos Municipal Code § 20.215.050.
General information, not legal advice.
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