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

Modoc County sets minimum yards (setbacks) in each zoning chapter's 'Development standards,' supplemented by the general yard rules in §18.110.050. In the Rural Residential (RR) zone, §18.30.060 requires a front and side-street yard of 20 feet and a rear and side yard of 30 feet. In the Residential-Low Density (RL) zone, §18.32.060 requires 20 feet front/side-street for dwellings and nonfarm buildings (10 feet for farm buildings) and 5 feet rear/side. The Residential-High Density (RH) zone uses the same figures under §18.36.060 (20 ft front/side-street, 10 ft farm buildings; 5 ft rear/side). General yard rules in §18.110.050 add that yards are measured from lot lines or road right-of-way lines; buildings facing a side lot line with the main entrance must keep a 10-foot side yard; barns, stables, coops and other animal buildings must be at least 10 feet from side/rear lot lines and 20 feet from any dwelling; and buildings on major arterials or collectors must be set back 40 feet, or 70 feet from the road centerline, whichever is greater. Architectural eaves and cornices may project up to 2 feet into a required yard, and uncovered porches or stairs up to 3 feet. Where a zone yard and the general rule differ, the more restrictive controls. Agricultural and conservation zones (AG, AE, OFG, RC) have their own standards; confirm your parcel's zone with the Planning Department.