What are the setback requirements for single-family homes in Anaheim?

In Anaheim's RS-2 zone, the typical front setback is 20 ft, interior side setbacks are 5 ft, and the rear setback is 20 ft. The RS-3 zone (smaller lots) requires 15 ft front, 5 ft side, and 15 ft rear. Always verify your exact zone on the Anaheim zoning map before designing.

What is the maximum building height in Anaheim residential zones?

Most Anaheim single-family residential zones (RS-2, RS-3) cap height at 28 ft or 2 stories. Multi-family RM-1 allows up to 35 ft or 3 stories. Scenic Corridor and Anaheim Resort Specific Plan overlays can further restrict height.

How much of an Anaheim residential lot can be covered by buildings?

Lot coverage in Anaheim residential zones ranges from 40% in RS-2 to 50% in RS-3 and 55% in RM-1. Coverage is measured as the footprint of all buildings divided by total lot area — pools and uncovered patios are generally excluded.

Do state ADU laws override Anaheim's setback rules?

Yes. California ADU law (AB 68, SB 13, AB 881, AB 2221) preempts local setbacks for qualifying ADUs. Anaheim must allow a minimum 4 ft side and rear setback for ADUs, and cannot impose setbacks against the conversion of existing space. See the Anaheim ADU Rules page for details.

Anaheim Setbacks & Height Limits — Residential Zones

Fact-checked against Anaheim's current single-family zoning materials and current California ADU law on September 21, 2026.

Anaheim's residential dimensional standards depend on the exact zone. The previous page significantly understated the RS-2 front and rear yards and used an outdated RS-2 height limit.

RS-2 Residential Single-Family

Anaheim's current RS-2 development-standard material provides:

Standard	RS-2
Front setback	25 ft or 25% of lot depth, whichever is less
Interior side setback	5 ft
Street-side setback on a reversed corner / reversed building-frontage lot	9 ft
Rear setback	25 ft, subject to the code's limited reduction rule
Maximum height	35 ft / 2.5 stories
Maximum lot coverage	40%

The rear setback may be reduced to 10 ft under the conditions stated in the code, provided dwelling/accessory-structure coverage of the required rear-setback area remains within the allowed limit.

The previous page listed RS-2 as 20-ft front, 5-ft side, 20-ft rear, and 28-ft / two-story height. Those figures do not match the current RS-2 standards.

RS-3 Residential Single-Family

Current Anaheim materials identify RS-3 as a smaller-lot single-family district with:

front setback: 15 ft, with an averaging provision for qualifying concurrent tract/block development;
side setback: 5 ft, with a zero-lot-line option under the stated spacing rule;
rear setback: 15 ft;
maximum height: 30 ft / 2 stories;
maximum lot coverage: 40%.

The previous page's 50% RS-3 coverage figure was therefore too high.

RS-1, RS-4, Hillside, and Multifamily Zones

RS-1 and RS-4 use different setbacks and height rules. Anaheim also has hillside residential zones and multiple-family districts with their own tables.

Specific plans, including Anaheim Resort and Platinum Triangle areas, can replace the base residential standards.

Accessory Structures

Anaheim's development-standard handouts separately regulate detached garages, patio covers, sheds, pools/spas, equipment, and other accessory structures.

Do not apply the principal-house yard table automatically to an accessory improvement.

California State ADU Law

Current State ADU Law is in Government Code §§66310–66342. New-construction ADUs generally cannot be required to provide more than 4 ft of side or rear setback under current state law.

Height rules vary by ADU configuration and current statute. Older §65852.2 citations should not be used as the current statutory reference.

See the Anaheim ADU rules page for local implementation.

How to Check a Property

Confirm the exact zoning district.
Use the current Anaheim Title 18 standards for that zone.
Check tract/block averaging, reverse-corner, and zero-lot-line provisions where applicable.
Check specific plans and overlays.
Check accessory structures separately.
Confirm parcel-specific questions with Anaheim Planning before final design.

Official Sources

This guide is informational only. The current Anaheim Municipal Code, specific plans, state law, and parcel-specific controls govern.