Building Setbacks & Zoning in Berkeley, CA (2026)
3 verified building setbacks & zoning rules for Berkeley, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Setback Rules
Berkeley's R-1 district requires a minimum 5-foot front and 5-foot rear setback that together must total at least 20 feet, plus 4-foot interior side and 4-foot street side setbacks, under BMC Table 23.202-2. The hillside R-1H variant doubles front and rear setbacks to 20 feet each, and the Zoning Officer enforces both through the Zoning Certificate process.
Berkeley R-1 Yard Setback Minimums
Some RestrictionsBerkeley Municipal Code § 23.202.050 (Table 23.202-2, Lot Line Setbacks); § 23.304.030
Lot Line Setbacks, Minimum ... Front | 5 ft. [2] ... Rear | 5 ft. [2] ... Interior Side | 4 ft. ... Street Side | 4 ft. ... Notes: [2]Front and rear setbacks must add up to at least 20 feet.
Structure Height Limits
Berkeley caps new houses and additions in the R-1 district at 35 feet and three stories under BMC Table 23.202-2, dropping to 22 feet within 15 feet of the rear property line. In the hillside R-1H variant, average height falls to 28 feet with a 35-foot ceiling, both enforced by the Zoning Officer through the Zoning Certificate process.
Berkeley R-1 Building Height Limits
Some RestrictionsBerkeley Municipal Code § 23.202.050 (Table 23.202-2, Main Building Height); § 23.304.050
Main Building Height ... New Buildings and Additions | 35 ft. and 3 stories [1] ... Within 15 ft. of Rear Property Line | 22 ft. ... Notes: [1]A project that includes a pitched roof is permitted a 35-foot maximum eave height and a maximum roof height of 38 feet. A project with a 35-foot flat roof is permitted an additional 5 feet height allowance for a stair, elevator or other rooftop access fe...
Lot Coverage Limits
Berkeley limits building footprint under BMC Table 23.202-2: no more than 60 percent of an R-1 lot may be covered by structures, dropping to 40 percent in the R-1H hillside overlay. The Zoning Officer reviews lot coverage through the Zoning Certificate every new building or addition must obtain before construction starts.
Berkeley Maximum Lot Coverage Rules
Some RestrictionsBerkeley Municipal Code § 23.202.050 (Table 23.202-2); § 23.304.120
Lot Coverage, Maximum 60% 23.304.120--Lot Coverage ... 23.304.120 Lot Coverage. A. Maximum Requirement. A lot may not exceed the maximum lot coverage required in a district except as specifically permitted by the Zoning Ordinance. B. Exception. Solar energy equipment and wheelchair ramps and lifts in compliance with the Zoning Ordinance may exceed the maximum allowed lot coverage.
Looking for Alameda County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Berkeley city rules.
Building Setbacks & Zoning in Alameda County →