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Zoning Guide

San Bernardino Setbacks & Height Limits — Residential Zones

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Setbacks & Height Limits in San Bernardino

This guide explains the basic setback, height, and lot coverage rules that apply to residential construction in San Bernardino under Title 19 of the Development Code. These numbers depend on your exact zoning district, overlay zones, and lot geometry, so always confirm with the City of San Bernardino Planning Division before finalizing plans.

What Are Setbacks?

A setback is the minimum required distance between a building and a lot line. Setbacks are measured from the property line to the nearest point of the building (typically the wall, but eaves, bay windows, and chimneys have their own rules).

The San Bernardino Development Code (Chapter 19.04 for residential districts) specifies front, side, and rear setbacks separately for each zoning district. Corner lots have two "front" setbacks (one per street frontage) plus an interior side and a rear setback.

Typical Residential Setbacks

For the most common residential zones in San Bernardino, expect the following minimum setbacks:

Zone Front Interior Side Rear Max Height Lot Coverage
RE — Residential Estate 35 ft 5 ft 20 ft 3 stories / 45 ft 35%
RL — Residential Low 25 ft 5 ft 15–20 ft 2.5 stories / 35 ft 35%
RS — Residential Suburban 20 ft 5 ft 15–20 ft 2.5 stories / 35 ft 35%
RU — Residential Urban 20 ft 5 ft 10 ft 2.5 stories / 35 ft 40%
RM — Multi-Family (Medium) 20 ft 5 ft + 1 ft per 15 ft wall 10 ft 3 stories / 42 ft 50%
RMH — Multi-Family High 15 ft 5 ft + 1 ft per 15 ft wall 10 ft 3 stories / 42 ft 50%
RH — Residential High 15 ft 5 ft + 1 ft per 15 ft wall 10 ft 4 stories / 56 ft 50%

These are the base schedule values — your specific lot and zone may have different requirements when overlays, special lot shapes, or discretionary review apply. Higher-density zones (RM, RMH, RH) use a stepped side setback that grows with the length of the exterior wall.

Height Limits

Maximum building height in lower-density San Bernardino residential zones (RL, RS, RU) is 2.5 stories / 35 feet, measured from average grade to the highest point of the roof or to a specified reference plane. RE allows 3 stories / 45 ft, and the multi-family zones step up from 42 ft (RM, RMH) to 56 ft (RH).

Special height rules worth noting:

  • Transition buffer — Multi-family buildings (RM, RMH, RH) are limited to 2.5 stories / 35 ft within 75 ft of any RS zone boundary. This is San Bernardino's main tool for buffering single-family neighborhoods from taller construction.
  • Foothill Fire (FF) overlay — Hillside parcels may face additional massing and grading limits.
  • Airport (A) overlay — Properties near the San Bernardino International Airport are subject to FAA-coordinated height limits.
  • Freeway Corridor (FC) and TriCity Corporate Centre (TCC) overlays — may modify height and setbacks for visibility or design reasons.

Lot Coverage

Beyond setbacks and height, lot coverage shapes how much footprint you can put on the ground. San Bernardino's residential coverage limits are:

  • 35% — RE, RL, RS
  • 40% — RU
  • 50% — RM, RMH, RH

San Bernardino's residential chapters do not apply a Floor Area Ratio (FAR) to single-family zones the way some California cities do. Instead, the combination of setbacks, height, and lot coverage effectively caps building size.

Common Exceptions and Encroachments

Most zoning codes — including San Bernardino's — allow certain features to project into required setbacks. Typical allowances include:

  • Eaves and gutters (usually up to 2 ft)
  • Chimneys (up to 2 ft)
  • Uncovered porches, stoops, and steps
  • Air conditioning condensers (subject to sound and side-yard rules)
  • Bay windows (limited projection)

Fences, retaining walls, and accessory structures follow separate standards. See Chapter 19.20 (General Site Regulations) of the Development Code for the specific projection and encroachment tables.

State ADU Overrides

If your project is an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU), California state law overrides local setback and height rules. Under California Government Code Section 65852.2, cities must allow ADUs with side and rear setbacks of only 4 feet, and must allow detached ADUs up to 16 ft in height (18 ft within ½ mile of transit, or up to 25 ft when attached to a two-story home). San Bernardino has implemented these state standards in its local ADU program.

See the ADU rules page for the full San Bernardino ADU standards, including size, parking, and pre-approved plan options.

How to Look Up Your Specific Requirements

  1. Find your zoning district — open the San Bernardino interactive zoning map and click your parcel.
  2. Read the district regulations — Chapter 19.04 (residential), 19.06 (commercial), and 19.08 (industrial) of the Development Code list setbacks, height, and lot coverage for each zone.
  3. Check for overlays — Airport (A), Freeway Corridor (FC), Foothill Fire (FF), Flood Plain (FP), TriCity Corporate Centre (TCC), and Emergency Shelter (ES) overlays can modify the base rules.
  4. Call Planning — the Planning Division at (909) 998-2300 can confirm your zone and applicable overlays before you commit to design.

Variances

If your project cannot meet the strict letter of the Development Code, you may apply for a variance — a discretionary request to deviate from the rules based on a hardship specific to your lot (unusual shape, topography, or similar condition). Variances require findings by the Planning Commission and a public hearing. See the Variance Application Guide for the general process.

Official Sources

See the sources listed in the frontmatter for the San Bernardino Development Code and Planning Division. This guide is informational and is not a substitute for direct confirmation from planning staff.

Disclaimer: This guide provides general information about setbacks and height limits in San Bernardino and should not be relied upon as legal advice. Zoning codes change. Always verify current regulations with the San Bernardino Planning Division or review the Development Code before making development decisions.

More about San Bernardino Zoning

ADU Rules in San BernardinoBuilding Permits in San Bernardino

Sources

  1. San Bernardino Development Code (Title 19, American Legal Publishing)·codelibrary.amlegal.com·Accessed 2026-04-14·Direct link
  2. San Bernardino Development Code (Chapter PDFs)·sanbernardino.gov·Accessed 2026-04-14·Direct link
  3. City of San Bernardino Planning Division·sanbernardino.gov·Accessed 2026-04-14·Direct link
  4. California Government Code Section 65852.2 (ADU Law)·leginfo.legislature.ca.gov·Accessed 2026-04-14·Direct link

FAQ

What are the setback requirements in San Bernardino residential zones?
In typical single-family zones, front setbacks range from 20 ft (RS, RU) to 25 ft (RL) to 35 ft (RE). Interior side setbacks are generally 5 ft, and rear setbacks range from 10 ft (RU) to 15–20 ft (RL, RS) to 20 ft (RE). Always verify your specific zone on the city's interactive zoning map.
What is the maximum building height in San Bernardino residential zones?
Most lower-density residential zones (RL, RS, RU) cap height at 2.5 stories / 35 ft. RE allows 3 stories / 45 ft, RM and RMH allow 3 stories / 42 ft, and RH allows 4 stories / 56 ft. Multi-family buildings are limited to 35 ft within 75 ft of an RS zone boundary.
How much of my lot can I cover with buildings in San Bernardino?
Lot coverage in RL, RS, and RE is typically 35%. RU allows 40%, and the multi-family zones (RM, RMH, RH) allow 50%. The full schedule is in Development Code Chapter 19.04. Pools, driveways, and similar features may be excluded — check the code definition.
Do San Bernardino setbacks apply to ADUs?
No — state law (California Government Code Section 65852.2) overrides local setbacks for ADUs. San Bernardino applies a 4 ft side and rear setback, with ADU height capped at 16 ft (detached), 18 ft near transit, or up to 25 ft for attached ADUs. See the San Bernardino ADU rules page for details.