Medina residential zoning
Medina residential zoning and setbacks by zone and lot size
Medina's base zone establishes minimum lot dimensions, while the actual lot area and width determine the setback formula. Overlays, shoreline location, original grade, trees, and private covenants can be just as important as the base zone.
Reviewed against official Medina sources in August 2026Medina residential lot standards
| Zone | Minimum lot | Minimum width | Minimum depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| R-16 | 16,000 sq ft | 70 ft | 70 ft |
| R-20 | 20,000 sq ft | 70 ft | 70 ft |
| R-30 | 30,000 sq ft | 90 ft | 90 ft |
| SR-30 | 30,000 sq ft | 90 ft | 90 ft |
Base setbacks by actual lot area
For lots over 20,000 square feet, side yards also depend on lot width.
| Actual lot area | Front | Rear | Side yard | Upper-story side yard |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10,000 sq ft or less | 25 ft | 25 ft | 15 ft | 20 ft |
| 10,001 to 13,000 sq ft | 26 ft | 26 ft | 15 ft | 20 ft |
| 13,001 to 15,000 sq ft | 28 ft | 28 ft | 15 ft | 20 ft |
| 15,001 to 20,000 sq ft | 30 ft | 30 ft | 15 ft | 20 ft |
| Over 20,000 sq ft | 30 ft | 30 ft | 20% of width, 15 to 20 ft | 25% of width, 20 to 25 ft |
Parcel-specific checks
What can change the table
- R-16 generally uses 25 feet above original grade or 28 feet above finished grade. Other base residential zones generally use a 25-foot low-grade-point standard.
- The Medina Heights Overlay uses a stricter 20-foot height limit. Shoreline and other overlays can add requirements.
- Medina does not state a base residential FAR. Structural coverage, impervious coverage, height, and setbacks control instead.
- Recorded covenants and architectural-control documents can be stricter than city zoning.
How to use this guide
Turn a zone row into a useful screen
- 1
Find the parcel on the city's current zoning map and copy the complete zone name.
- 2
Read the full row, table footnotes, and definitions. Do not use only the front setback.
- 3
Check corner-lot yards, access easements, critical areas, shorelines, trees, overlays, and recorded restrictions.
- 4
Use a boundary and topographic survey to place the setbacks against the actual lot.
- 5
Have the city or project team confirm any uncertainty before the design is fixed.
Official resources