Building Setbacks & Zoning in Clovis, CA

If you live in Clovis or are thinking about moving there, building setbacks & zoning are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Clovis has 3 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of building setbacks & zoning, and some of them might surprise you.

Lot Coverage Limits

Clovis caps how much of a residential lot a structure's footprint may cover. Table 2-3 of the Development Code sets a 30% to 40% maximum depending on zoning district, with a Director-approved bonus up to 45% and a 50% ceiling for cottage-home projects in Planning Area 7.

Key details: R-1 / R-1-C max coverage: 40%. R-1-A / R-1-AH / R-R / R-A max: 30%. R-1-B max coverage: 35%. Director bonus coverage: up to 45%. Cottage home program (PA7): up to 50%.

Plans that exceed the district's Table 2-3 coverage maximum are rejected at plan check and the Building Division will not issue a permit until the footprint is reduced or a bonus coverage application is approved. If excess coverage is built without disclosure, the City can pursue code enforcement under Chapter 92 of Title 9, resulting in a correction notice, civil penalties, and a required reduction of the noncompliant structure.

Structure Height Limits

Clovis caps residential structure height at 35 feet or 2.5 stories, whichever is less, in its single-family zoning districts. Roof-mounted equipment like chimneys and elevator housings can exceed that limit by up to 15 feet if screened from public view.

Key details: Main structure height limit: 35 ft. or 2.5 stories, whichever is less. Height measured from: finish grade to highest point. Roof-mounted equipment allowance: up to 15 ft. above limit. Roof equipment area cap: 25% of total roof area. Extra height for habitable space: prohibited.

A structure built above the district's height limit, or roof-mounted equipment exceeding the 15-foot allowance or 25% roof-area cap without Commission approval, fails building plan check and cannot be permitted as submitted; if height violations are discovered after construction, the City can require the structure to be modified or the offending portion removed through code enforcement under Chapter 92 of Title 9.

Setback Rules

Clovis sets minimum front, side, street-side, and rear yard setbacks separately for each residential zoning district in Table 2-3. The City's standard R-1 single-family district requires a 20-foot front yard, 5-foot side yards, and a 20-foot rear yard.

Key details: R-1 front setback: 20 ft. (25 ft. in R-1-C). R-1 / R-1-C side setback: 5 ft. each side. R-1 / R-1-C rear setback: 20 ft.. R-1-A/AH/R-1-B front setback: 35 ft.. Low deck/step exemption: under 18 in. above grade.

A structure built within a required setback, or an encroachment beyond the limits in Table 3-4, will not pass building plan check and the Building Division will require the plans or the built structure to be corrected; a structure discovered encroaching after construction is subject to code enforcement under Chapter 92 of Title 9, which can require the offending portion to be removed or relocated.

The Bottom Line

Clovis's building setbacks & zoning rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Clovis is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Clovis can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.