Maximum building site coverage in unincorporated Monterey County varies by Title 21 district: LDR allows 35% on lots under 20,000 sq ft and 25% on larger lots; MDR allows 35%; RDR allows 25%; HDR allows up to 60%. Minimum building site sizes are also set per district.
Building site (lot) coverage caps the share of a parcel that structures may occupy and is set per zoning district under Title 21. In the Low Density Residential district, section 21.14.060 limits coverage to 35% on lots smaller than 20,000 sq ft and 25% on lots of 20,000 sq ft or more. In Medium Density Residential, section 21.12.060 limits coverage to 35% (with a minimum building site of 6,000 sq ft). In Rural Density Residential, section 21.16.060 limits coverage to 25% (minimum building site of five acres unless approved as part of a clustered residential development). In High Density Residential, section 21.10.060 allows up to 60% coverage, with special standards for specific developments such as Rancho Canada Village. These coverage limits work together with the district's setbacks and height limits to govern overall buildout. Because the applicable percentage depends on the parcel's zoning district and, in LDR, its lot size, the County advises confirming the governing figure with HCD Planning. Special districts and overlays can modify the base coverage standard.
Exceeding the maximum building site coverage is a zoning violation. HCD Code Compliance can deny permits, require removal of excess structure area, or require a variance, with daily civil penalties for continued non-compliance.
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Monterey, CA
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Monterey County.
See how Monterey's lot coverage limits rules stack up against other locations.
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