Residential zoning is a land use district set aside for homes. It controls what kind of housing can be built, from single family houses to apartment buildings, and sets rules like lot size, height and how many units fit on a lot.
Residential districts usually start with an R on the zoning map, followed by a number or letter. Every city defines its districts a little differently, so check the local zoning code for the rules on any specific property.
A residential zone is an area where the main allowed use is housing. Other uses are usually limited to things that fit a neighborhood, such as parks, schools, churches and small home businesses. Shops, offices and industry are usually kept out or allowed only with a special permit.
In many codes, the number after the R tells you how many homes are allowed. A higher number usually means more homes on the same land.
| District | Typical housing | Density |
|---|---|---|
| R-1 | One single family home per lot, sometimes an ADU | Low |
| R-2 | Two-family homes like a duplex | Low to medium |
| R-3 | Triplexes, townhouses and small apartment buildings | Medium |
| R-4, R-5 and up | Larger multi-family apartment buildings | High |
This numbering is common but not universal. Some cities use the number for minimum lot size instead, as in R1-5 for a 5,000 square foot lot. Read what R1 zoning means for more detail.
Single family zoning allows one detached home per lot. It is the most common residential district in the United States. Many states and cities now also allow an accessory dwelling unit or a second small home on single family lots.
Multi-family zoning allows buildings with several homes, such as duplexes, triplexes, townhouses and apartments. These districts are often near main roads, transit and commercial areas. They usually set a maximum number of units per acre and require parking for each unit.
Density means how many homes are allowed on a given amount of land. Low density residential zones hold mostly single family homes on larger lots. Medium density zones allow duplexes, townhouses and small apartment buildings. High density zones allow larger apartment buildings. The exact units per acre for each level come from the local code.
Besides the main home, residential codes usually allow garages, sheds, fences, pools and sometimes an ADU or guest house. How big you can build is set by lot coverage, setbacks and height limits. Our lot coverage calculator shows what size house will fit on a lot, and the setback calculator shows the buildable area.
Find the property on the city or county zoning map to see its district, then read that district's rules in the zoning code. You can search for your city's zoning map on ZoningPoint. Land at the edge of town may instead be agricultural zoning, and main roads often carry commercial zoning.
Residential zoning means the land is set aside mainly for homes. The district sets what type of housing is allowed and rules like lot size, height and number of units.
In many codes, R-1 allows one single family home per lot and R-2 allows two-family homes like duplexes. Some cities number their districts differently, so check the local code.
Often, yes, if it is a small home business that follows the local home occupation rules. Businesses with customers, employees or signs usually need commercial zoning.
Sometimes. Many single family zones allow one main home plus an ADU. Two full houses usually need a zone that allows two units or a lot split.
Each page shows the zoning a use usually needs and whether you can put it in other zones.
To see how a specific property is zoned, search for its city or county zoning map.