Santa Clara County · Zoning · R3
Santa Clara County R3 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Santa Clara County's R3 zone, buildings can be up to 45 ft (4 stories) tall and the front setback is 20 ft (Santa Clara County code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 45 ft
- Maximum number of stories: 4 stories
- Minimum front setback: 20 ft
- Minimum side setback: 10 ft
- Minimum rear setback: 15 ft
- Maximum lot coverage: 50%
R3 is a zoning district in Santa Clara County. Every value below was read from the Santa Clara County 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 R3
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 ft § 2.30.030 · code textTable row “Feet”, column “R3”: 45 8 |
|---|---|
| Maximum number of stories | 4 stories § 2.30.030 · code textTable row “Stories”, column “R3”: 4 8 |
| Minimum front setback | 20 ft § 2.30.030 · code textTable row “Front”, column “R3”: 20 8 |
| Minimum side setback | 10 ft § 2.30.030 · code textTable row “Side”, column “R3”: 10 8 |
| Minimum rear setback | 15 ft § 2.30.030 · code textTable row “Rear”, column “R3”: 15 8 |
| Maximum lot coverage | 50% § 2.30.030 · code textTable row “Lot coverage—buildings”, column “R3”: 50% 8 |
Uses in R3
Uses the code's use tables allow in R3, or allow with a permit. Each links to its page with the code section.
- Duplex — Allowed — see note
- Apartment building — Needs an architecture and site approval (asa) — see note
- Rooming or boarding house — Needs an architecture and site approval (asa)
- Church or place of worship — Needs an use permit and architecture and site approval — see note
- Community garden — Allowed
- Emergency shelter — Allowed
Not on this page
We did not find a general lot size, FAR, density limit for R3 in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Santa Clara County Municipal Code.
Other Santa Clara County zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Santa Clara County's R3 zone?
45 ft — Santa Clara County Municipal Code § 2.30.030.
What is the maximum number of stories in Santa Clara County's R3 zone?
4 stories — Santa Clara County Municipal Code § 2.30.030.
What is the minimum front setback in Santa Clara County's R3 zone?
20 ft — Santa Clara County Municipal Code § 2.30.030.
What is the minimum side setback in Santa Clara County's R3 zone?
10 ft — Santa Clara County Municipal Code § 2.30.030.
What is the minimum rear setback in Santa Clara County's R3 zone?
15 ft — Santa Clara County Municipal Code § 2.30.030.
General information, not legal advice.
Ask about a Santa Clara County property in R3
Ask GoCodebook what you can build at a specific address and get an answer that cites the section.
Ask your question