Residential Zoning Districts in Oakland, CA

The city’s zoning regulations establish several categories of residential zones and district-specific residential zones, ranging from low-density hillside developments to high-density urban corridors. These are supplemented by combining zones that apply additional standards for parking, open space, or commercial mixing.

Primary Residential Zoning Districts

Hillside Residential (RH) Zones

The RH zones are intended for residential areas primarily characterized by detached structures on hillside lots [Source 5, § 17.13.010].

• RH-1 Hillside Residential - 1: Single-family living on lots of one acre or more.
• RH-2 Hillside Residential - 2: Single-family living on lots of at least 25,000 square feet.
• RH-3 Hillside Residential - 3: Single-family dwellings on lots of at least 12,000 square feet.
• RH-4 Hillside Residential - 4: Single-family dwellings on lots of 6,500 to 8,000 square feet.

Detached Unit Residential (RD) Zone

The RD zone is intended to create and maintain residential areas characterized by a mix of single-unit structures, small multi-unit buildings, and neighborhood businesses where appropriate [Source 9, § 17.15.010].

Mixed Housing Type Residential (RM) Zones

RM zones are typically located near major arterials and feature a mix of single-family homes, townhouses, and small multi-unit buildings [Source 3, § 17.17.010].

• RM-1: Characterized by a mix of single-family homes and duplexes.
• RM-2: Includes single-family homes, duplexes, townhouses, and small multi-unit buildings.
• RM-3: Similar to RM-2 but at somewhat higher densities.
• RM-4: Located on or near major arterials with small multi-unit buildings at higher densities than RM-3.

Urban Residential (RU) Zones

RU zones are designed for multi-unit, mid-rise, or high-rise residential structures in locations with high access to transportation [Source 4, § 17.19.010].

• RU-1: Multi-unit, low-rise residential structures.
• RU-2: Multi-unit, low-rise or mid-rise structures.
• RU-3: Low-rise or mid-rise structures at higher densities than RU-2.
• RU-4: Mid-rise and high-rise structures on major corridors.
• RU-5: Mid-rise and high-rise structures with ground-floor neighborhood businesses on major corridors.

District-Specific Residential Zones

Oak Knoll District (D-OK) Residential Zones

These zones implement the Oak Knoll District Planned Unit Development (OKPUD) to establish pedestrian-oriented neighborhoods [Source 2, § 17.101J.010].

• D-OK-1: Low-density single-family home development.
• D-OK-2: Medium-low density single-family homes.
• D-OK-3: Medium-density residential units, such as townhomes.

Lake Merritt Station Area District (D-LM) Residential Zone

• D-LM-1 Lake Merritt Station Area District Mixed - 1 Residential Zone: Intended for high-density residential development with compatible commercial activities [Source 6, § 17.101G.010].

Wood Street District (D-WS) Zones

• D-WS-1 through D-WS-9: These zones (corresponding to Development Areas 1 through 9) are intended to create an active, pedestrian-oriented, mixed-use urban community [Source 11, § 17.101A.010].

Oak-to-Ninth District (D-OTN) Zone

• D-OTN (Brooklyn Basin): Intended to provide mid-rise and high-rise housing opportunities combined with ground-floor retail and commercial uses [Source 17, § 17.101B.010].

Combining Residential Zones

Combining zones are applied in addition to primary zones to provide supplemental regulations.

• C Residential Commercial Combining Zone: Allows for expanded or new commercial uses within Mixed Housing Type Residential (RM) Zones [Source 3, § 17.17.010.C].
• S-12 Residential Parking Combining Zone: Applied to areas with high concentrations of residential facilities, typically in high-density neighborhoods adjacent to commercial areas [Source 14, § 17.94.010].
• S-17 Downtown Residential Open Space Combining Zone: Provides specific open space standards (such as private space, plazas, or rooftops) for residential development in the Downtown District [Source 8, § 17.99.010; Source 12, § 17.99.040].