Apple Valley, CA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Setback Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- R-VLD front setback
- 50 feet minimum
- R-M front setback
- 20 feet minimum
- R-VLD rear setback
- 40 feet minimum
- R-M rear/side setback
- 10 feet minimum each
- Governing table
- Development Code Table 9.28.040-A
- Relief process
- Variance (Ch. 9.24) or Deviation Permit (Ch. 9.25)
Summary
Apple Valley sets minimum front, rear and side yard setbacks by residential zoning district in Table 9.28.040-A of the Development Code. The Very Low Density (R-VLD) district requires a 50-foot front and 40-foot rear setback, while the Multi-Family (R-M) district drops to a 20-foot front, 10-foot rear and 10-foot side setback.
STANDARDS R-VLD R-A R-LD R-E R-E ¾ R-EQ R-SF R-M MHP M-U PRD (1)
8. a. Minimum front setback (ft) (18) 50 50 50 45 30 30 30 20 (12) 15 35/10 (16) 10 (5)
9. Minimum rear setback (6) (18) 40 35 35 30 25 25 25 10 - 0 5
10. a. Minimum side setback (ft) (7) (18) 25 25 25 20 15/10 (8) (19) 15/10 (8) (19) 15/10 (8) (19) 10 - 0 6
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 19 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Section 9.28.040 states that the Site Development Standards in Table 9.28.040-A are intended to provide standards for the development and use of land within the residential districts, and apply alongside Chapter 9.29's use-specific rules and Chapter 9.31's design standards. The table sets a minimum front setback of 50 feet in the R-VLD, R-A and R-LD districts, 45 feet in R-E, 30 feet in R-E¾, R-EQ and R-SF, 20 feet in R-M, 15 feet in the mobile home park (MHP) district, and 10 feet in a Planned Residential Development (PRD). The minimum rear setback runs from 40 feet in R-VLD down to 25 feet in the estate and single-family districts and 10 feet in R-M, while the minimum side setback runs from 25 feet in R-VLD, R-A and R-LD to 10 feet in R-M, with a split 15/10-foot standard in R-E¾, R-EQ and R-SF for the primary versus secondary side yard.
These town-wide figures give way in three situations, all stated in the text preceding the table: the Mountain Vista neighborhood, which uses the separate Table 9.28.040-C; any Ranchos Residential Overlay District designated under Chapter 9.63; and any different street or yard setback distance already recorded on a final map, parcel map or record of survey filed with San Bernardino County between March 1, 1948, and January 1, 1987, or on a Composite Development Plan on file with the Town. A property owner who wants relief from a setback shown on a recorded map must apply for a Variance under Chapter 9.24 or a Deviation Permit under Chapter 9.25.
Violations & Fines
Building or expanding a structure inside the required front, rear or side setback for its zoning district violates Section 9.28.040, and the applicable Building Permit cannot be finaled without correction. Chapter 9.24 Variances and Chapter 9.25 Deviation Permits are the only paths to reduce a mapped or Table 9.28.040-A setback; Section 9.28.040 requires that request to go through one of those two chapters rather than an administrative waiver.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum front setback for a house in Apple Valley?
Can I get an exception to Apple Valley's setback requirements?
Does the setback table apply the same way everywhere in town?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Apple Valley
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How other cities in San Bernardino County handle setback rules.