San Marcos · Zoning · R-3-6
San Marcos R-3-6 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In San Marcos's R-3-6 zone, generally buildings can be up to 45 feet (3 stories) tall, the front setback is 15 ft and the minimum lot size is 6,000 sq ft, with the conditions listed below (San Marcos code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 45 feet (or 3 stories, whichever is less)
- Maximum number of stories: 3 stories (or 45 feet, whichever is less)
- Minimum front setback: 15 ft (primary street/project frontage setback)
- Minimum side setback: 7.5 ft (project exterior boundary other than primary street; up to 3 units)
- Minimum rear setback: 7.5 ft (project exterior boundary (not the primary street); up to 3 units; 4 or more units need 10 ft)
- Minimum lot size: 6,000 sq ft
- Maximum density: 30 units per gross acre
R-3-6 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-3-6
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 | 45 feet Applies: or 3 stories, whichever is less § 20.215.050 · code textTable row “Maximum”, column “R-3-6”: 45 feet or 3 stories |
|---|---|
| Maximum number of stories | 3 stories Applies: or 45 feet, whichever is less § 20.215.050 · code textTable row “Maximum”, column “R-3-6”: 45 feet or 3 stories |
| Minimum front setback | 15 ft Applies: primary street/project frontage setback § 20.215.050 · code textTable row “Primary Street (Project Frontage Setback)”, column “R-3-6”: 15 feet |
| Minimum side setback | 7.5 ft Applies: project exterior boundary other than primary street; up to 3 units § 20.215.050 · code textTable row “Project Exterior Boundary (other than Primary Street - Project Frontage Setback)”, column “R-3-6”: Up to 3 units: 7.5 feet; 4+ units: 10 feet |
| Minimum rear setback | 7.5 ft Applies: project exterior boundary (not the primary street); up to 3 units; 4 or more units need 10 ft § 20.215.050 · code textTable row “Interior Private Streets (Interior PL)”, column “R-3-6”: 10 feet |
| Minimum lot size | 6,000 sq ft § 20.215.050 · code textTable row “Minimum Lot Size (4)”, column “R-3-6”: 6,000 |
| Maximum density | 30 units per gross acre § 20.215.050 · code textTable row “Maximum Density”, column “R-3-6”: 30 du/ac |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in R-3-6:
- Minimum side setback: 10 ft — project exterior boundary other than primary street; 4+ units § 20.215.050
Not on this page
We did not find a general lot coverage, FAR limit for R-3-6 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-3-6 zone?
45 feet (or 3 stories, whichever is less) — San Marcos Municipal Code § 20.215.050.
What is the maximum number of stories in San Marcos's R-3-6 zone?
3 stories (or 45 feet, whichever is less) — San Marcos Municipal Code § 20.215.050.
What is the minimum front setback in San Marcos's R-3-6 zone?
15 ft (primary street/project frontage setback) — San Marcos Municipal Code § 20.215.050.
What is the minimum side setback in San Marcos's R-3-6 zone?
7.5 ft (project exterior boundary other than primary street; up to 3 units) — San Marcos Municipal Code § 20.215.050.
What is the minimum rear setback in San Marcos's R-3-6 zone?
7.5 ft (project exterior boundary (not the primary street); up to 3 units; 4 or more units need 10 ft) — San Marcos Municipal Code § 20.215.050.
General information, not legal advice.
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