Zoning Guide

Fresno Setbacks & Height Limits — Residential Zones

Last updated: Verified:

Fact-checked against current City of Fresno Development Code materials and current California ADU law on September 21, 2026.

Fresno's current Residential Single-Family (RS) districts are RE and RS-1 through RS-5. The previous page understated many setbacks, heights, and lot-size/coverage standards.

Current RS Standards

Current City development-code materials provide:

Zone Front Street Side Rear Max. Height Max. Lot Coverage
RE 35 ft 35 ft 20 ft 35 ft 30%
RS-1 35 ft 25 ft 20 ft 35 ft 30%
RS-2 30 ft 25 ft 20 ft 35 ft 30%
RS-3 25 ft 20 ft 20 ft 35 ft 35%
RS-4 13 ft 10 ft 10 ft 35 ft 50%
RS-5 13 ft 10 ft 10 ft 35 ft 60%

Interior side setbacks vary by district and, in some districts, use a total-side-yard requirement with a minimum per side. They should be read directly from Table 15-903-2 rather than reduced to one universal 5-ft number.

The previous page described RS-1 as 25-ft front / 5-ft side / 20-ft rear with 30-ft height and 40% coverage. Current City materials instead show 35-ft front, 35-ft maximum height, and 30% coverage for RS-1.

It also understated RS-3 front setback and overstated or misstated coverage in several districts.

Enhanced Streetscape and Garage Standards

The Development Code contains enhanced streetscape alternatives in qualifying RS-4 and RS-5 situations.

It also separately regulates garage placement from the sidewalk/curb and from the primary façade. A project's garage setback can therefore differ from the ordinary front-building setback.

Planned Development Modifications

Fresno regularly uses Planned Development Permits to modify district standards for particular projects. Recent 2025–2026 applications include requests to reduce RS-3, RS-4, or RS-5 setbacks, lot sizes, or other dimensions.

Those project-specific approvals should not be mistaken for the base zoning standard.

Height

The current RS table lists 35 ft across RE and RS-1 through RS-5, subject to §15-2012 and other special conditions.

The previous page's generic “30 ft / two stories” single-family height description was stale.

California State ADU Law

Current State ADU Law is codified at Government Code §§66310–66342. New-construction ADUs generally cannot be subject to side or rear setbacks greater than 4 ft, and current height requirements depend on the statutory configuration.

See the Fresno ADU rules page for local implementation.

How to Check a Property

  1. Confirm the exact RS or other zoning district.
  2. Use current Table 15-903-2 for base residential single-family standards.
  3. Check enhanced-streetscape and garage provisions.
  4. Check any Planned Development Permit or other site-specific entitlement.
  5. Check overlays and airport/environmental constraints.
  6. Apply current state housing-law overrides separately where applicable.

Official Sources

This guide is informational only. The current Fresno Development Code, project-specific approvals, state law, and parcel conditions govern.

More about Fresno Zoning

ADU Rules in FresnoBuilding Permits — Cost & Timeline

Sources

  1. Fresno Municipal Code — Citywide Development Code·library.municode.com·Accessed 2026-04-14·Direct link
  2. City of Fresno Development & Resource Management·fresno.gov·Accessed 2026-04-14·Direct link

FAQ

What are the setback requirements in Fresno?
Setbacks in Fresno vary by zoning district. For the typical RS-3 single-family zone, expect a front setback of about 20 ft, interior side setbacks of about 5 ft, and a rear setback of about 20 ft. RS-5 small-lot zones use 15 ft front and 15 ft rear. Always verify your specific zone on the Fresno zoning map linked in this guide.
What is the maximum building height in Fresno residential zones?
Maximum building height in Fresno single-family residential zones (RS-1, RS-3, RS-5) is typically 30 ft or two stories, measured from average grade. RM-1 multi-family zones allow up to 35 ft or three stories. Overlay districts, hillside rules, and specific plans can lower these limits.
How is lot coverage calculated in Fresno?
Lot coverage is the percentage of the lot covered by buildings. Fresno residential zones typically allow 40% coverage in RS-1, 50% in RS-3, 55% in RS-5, and 60% in RM-1. Driveways, open decks, and similar features are usually excluded — check the Citywide Development Code definition for your district.
Do California ADU laws override Fresno setback and height rules?
Yes. California state ADU law (AB 68, SB 13, AB 881, AB 2221) requires cities to allow ADUs with a minimum 4 ft side and rear setback and up to 16 ft or 18 ft in height depending on the project. These state standards override stricter local setbacks and heights for qualifying ADUs.