Redwood City, CA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Setback Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Front setback
- 15 feet minimum
- Interior side (1st story)
- 6 ft or ½ wall height
- Exterior (street) side
- 15 feet minimum
- Code section
- RWC Zoning 5.7
Summary
In Redwood City's R-1 single-family district, structures must be set back a minimum of 15 feet from the front property line, with a first-story interior side setback of at least 6 feet (or half the wall height), except as adjusted by the zoning code.
Front. In the R-1 and RH districts, structures shall be set back from the front property line as provided below... R-1 District. The minimum setback is fifteen (15) feet except as provided below. ... Side—R-1 District. First Story Interior: A minimum of six (6) feet or one-half (½) the height of the [wall].
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Zoning Code: Supplement 29 | City Code: Supplement 61 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Redwood City Zoning Code section 5.7 sets setback requirements for main buildings in the R-1 (single-family) and RH districts. In the R-1 district the minimum front setback is fifteen feet, except as otherwise provided (and as adjusted for parking front setbacks under Section 5.8D). The first-story interior side setback is a minimum of six feet or one-half the height of the wall, and where a side yard is adjacent to a street the exterior side setback is generally a minimum of fifteen feet. Setbacks for fences, accessory buildings, and accessory dwelling units are addressed in Articles 36 and 37.
Violations & Fines
Building within the required front or side setbacks in the R-1 district violates Redwood City Zoning Code section 5.7 and is enforced by the Planning Division.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far back must my house sit in Redwood City's R-1 zone?
What about a corner lot?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Redwood City
California rules heatmap·Compare Redwood City to another location·View the California building setbacks & zoning overview
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