Amador County, CA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Setback Rules (2026)

Amador County sets building setbacks by zoning district in Title 19, Chapter 19.24 (District Regulations), so the exact numbers depend on the parcel's zone. In the R1-A single-family residential-agricultural district, Section 19.24.045 requires a front yard setback of 25 feet from the front property line (and in no case less than 50 feet from the centerline of any street, highway, or road), interior side yards of 5 feet, corner side yards of 10 feet, and a rear yard of 15 feet. Across the unincorporated area, Section 19.48.110(M) independently establishes a minimum 50-foot setback measured at right angles from the centerline of all county and state highways for buildings or structures constructed after October 14, 1959. Chapter 19.44 allows the county to set 'building lines' on sectional district maps that replace the front setback, so a mapped building line can require more than the base district setback. Section 19.48.110 also allows limited projections into required setbacks - cornices, eaves and similar features up to 2.5 feet, and uncovered porches, stairs or fire escapes up to 6 feet into front/rear yards and 3 feet into side yards. Other districts (unclassified, commercial, agricultural) have their own standards, so always confirm the district and any building line with the Planning Department.