Lake County, CA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Lot Coverage Limits (2026)

Lot coverage limits in unincorporated Lake County are established by each base zoning district in the County of Lake Zoning Ordinance, with exceptions in Article 42. In the R1 Single-Family Residential district (Sec. 21-10), maximum lot coverage is thirty-five (35) percent for a one-story dwelling and thirty (30) percent for a two-story dwelling (Sec. 10.14). Article 42 provides coverage exceptions: swimming pools, open decks and appurtenant energy systems are exempt from the maximum lot coverage requirements (Sec. 42.15(a)); and in the R1 and R2 districts, lots less than six thousand (6,000) square feet may be developed with single-story structures at a maximum lot coverage of forty (40) percent provided all other requirements are met (Sec. 42.15(b)). The R1 district also sets a maximum permitted density of one dwelling unit per 6,000 square feet and minimum lot sizes that depend on water and sewer service (6,000 sq ft with public water and sewer; 15,000 sq ft with well or septic; 40,000 sq ft with well and septic) (Secs. 10.11-10.12). Coverage percentages and lot-size minimums differ by district - rural and agricultural districts have much lower coverage and larger minimum parcel sizes - so owners should confirm the lot-coverage limit and minimum lot size for their specific zoning district with the Planning Division before designing additions or new structures.