Ventura R-3 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size

R-3 (Multiple Family Zone) is a zoning district in Ventura. Every value below was read from the Ventura 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

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 § 24.218.070 · code text Regardless of the number of stories comprising a building or structure, no portion of a building or other structure in the R-3 zone shall exceed 45 feet in height except as provided in section 24.405.030.
Maximum number of stories	3 stories § 24.218.070 · code text Buildings and other structures in the R-3 zone shall not exceed three stories.
Minimum front setback	20% of lot depth, max 20 ft § 24.218.090 · code text Each lot in this zone shall have a required front setback of not less than 20 percent of the depth of the lot, provided that, such front setback need not exceed 20 feet.
Minimum side setback	10% of lot width, min 3 ft, max 5 ft Applies: Interior lots § 24.218.090 · code text For interior lots, there shall be a side setback on each side of the lot of not less than ten percent of the width of said lot, provided that, such side setback need not exceed five feet and shall not be less than three feet in width;
Minimum rear setback	25% of lot depth, max 25 ft § 24.218.090 · code text Each lot in this zone shall have a rear setback of not less than 25 percent of the depth of the lot; such rear setback need not exceed 25 feet.
Minimum lot size	6,000 sq ft Applies: Floor: no lot may be smaller; lot area per dwelling unit is set by subzone § 24.218.060 · code text Each lot in the R-3 zone shall have a minimum lot area per dwelling unit as set forth in section 24.200.070 for the given subzone indicated on the official zoning district map, provided that, in no instance shall any lot in the R-3 zone be less than 6,000 square feet in area.
Maximum lot coverage	60% § 24.218.060 · code text The building area of a lot in the R-3 zone, including accessory structures, shall not occupy more than 60 percent of the lot area.

Not on this page

We did not find a general FAR, density limit for R-3 in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Ventura Municipal Code.

Other Ventura zoning districts

Who this affects

HomeownersArchitects and designersDevelopersReal estate agents

Frequently asked questions

What is the maximum building height in Ventura's R-3 zone?

45 ft — Ventura Municipal Code § 24.218.070.

What is the maximum number of stories in Ventura's R-3 zone?

3 stories — Ventura Municipal Code § 24.218.070.

What is the minimum front setback in Ventura's R-3 zone?

20% of lot depth, max 20 ft — Ventura Municipal Code § 24.218.090.

What is the minimum side setback in Ventura's R-3 zone?

10% of lot width, min 3 ft, max 5 ft (interior lots) — Ventura Municipal Code § 24.218.090.

What is the minimum rear setback in Ventura's R-3 zone?

25% of lot depth, max 25 ft — Ventura Municipal Code § 24.218.090.

General information, not legal advice.