Building Setbacks & Zoning in Downey, CA (2026)
3 verified building setbacks & zoning rules for Downey, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Setback Rules
Downey sets minimum yard setbacks by residential zone in Municipal Code Section 9312.08, Tables 9.3.3 and 9.3.4. Single-family R-1 lots require a 20-foot front and rear yard and a side yard equal to 10 percent of lot width, never less than 5 feet or more than 14 feet. R-2 lots need a 20-foot front yard; R-3 and R-3-O lots need 15 feet, with rear setbacks that grow with building height near R-1 property.
Downey Yard Setback Minimums by Zone
Some RestrictionsDowney Municipal Code § 9312.08, Tables 9.3.3 and 9.3.4
Front setback (1st floor) - minimum (feet) c, d 20′ ... Rear setback - minimum (feet) d 20′ ... Side setback (1st floor) - minimum (feet) e, f Ten percent lot width, but not less than 5 feet and not to exceed 14 feet ... Street side setback (1st floor) - minimum (feet) d 10′ ... Yard setbacks - minimum (feet) front 20 15 15 rear 20 see noteb see noteb ... Yard setbacks (side) - minimum (feet) i...
Structure Height Limits
Downey caps residential building height by zone in Municipal Code Section 9312.08. Single-family homes in the R-1 Zone max out at 28 feet, accessory buildings at 12 feet. R-2 buildings top out at 30 feet or two stories, whichever is less, while R-3 and R-3-O buildings can reach 35 feet or three stories. Section 9534.24 layers a variable height limit onto side yards facing R-1 and R-2 property.
Downey Residential Structure Height Limits
Some RestrictionsDowney Municipal Code § 9312.08, Tables 9.3.3-9.3.4; § 9534.24; § 9534.26
Building height - maximum (feet)b main building 28′ accessory building 12′ ... Building height - maximum (feet) main building 30 feet or two stories, whichever is less / 35 feet or three stories, whichever is lessa / 35 feet or three stories, whichever is lessa accessory building 12 feet / 12 feet / 12 feet ... Side Yard Height Limitations in All Zones Except R-3 and R-3-O. Buildings shall have...
Lot Coverage Limits
Downey caps how much of a residential lot a building can cover: 45% maximum in the R-1 single-family zone and 50% maximum in the R-2, R-3 and R-3-O multi-family zones. The limits sit in the property development standards tables for each zone and apply on top of separate setback and floor-area-ratio rules.
Downey Maximum Lot Coverage Limits
Some RestrictionsDowney, CA, Municipal Code § 9312.08, Tables 9.3.3 and 9.3.4 (Residential Zones Property Development Standards)
Table 9.3.3. R-1 Zone Property Development Standards ... Floor area ratio - maximum 0.45 ... Lot coverage - maximum 45% ... Table 9.3.4. R-2, R-3, R-3-O Zone Property Development Standards ... Lot coverage - maximum (percent) R-2 50 R-3 50 R-3-O 50
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County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Downey city rules.
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