Placer County, CA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Setback Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Front setback (RS zone)
- 20 feet minimum
- Street-side setback
- 10 feet minimum
- Side setback
- 5 ft (1-story) / 7.5 ft (2+ story)
- Rear setback
- 10 ft (1-story) / 20 ft (2+ story)
- Max site coverage
- 40 percent
- Tahoe Basin
- Separate rules; also subject to TRPA
Summary
In Placer County's Residential Single-Family (RS) zone, the most common unincorporated residential district, County Code § 17.50.010(E) sets a 20-foot front setback, 10-foot street-side setback, side setbacks of 5 feet (7.5 feet for two-plus stories) totaling 15 feet, and a rear setback of 10 feet (20 feet for two-plus stories), capped by 40% maximum site coverage.
Development Feature Requirement Setbacks (1) (2) (3) (4) Front 20 feet minimum Street-Side 10 feet minimum Side 15 feet total, 5 feet minimum - 1 story; 7 1/2 feet minimum - 2 or more stories Rear 10 feet minimum - 1 story; 20 feet minimum - 2 or more stories Site coverage (5) 40 percent maximum
Full Breakdown
5-foot minimum for two-or-more-story portions, and a rear setback of 10 feet minimum for one story or 20 feet minimum for two or more stories, plus a 40% maximum site coverage (lots under 13,000 square feet and duplex, triplex, or fourplex uses are exempt from the coverage cap). 130(C). 5-foot multi-purpose or public utility easement must also stay clear, and garage or carport vehicle entrances need at least 20 feet of clearance. 5 feet per side for one story, 10 feet for two stories, and 15 feet for three or more stories.
Those special setbacks, however, do NOT apply within the Lake Tahoe Basin, the Squaw Valley General Plan area, or the Serene Lakes/Ice Lakes area, which are governed by their own land use ordinances and plan area statements; property in the Tahoe Basin is also subject to review by the bi-state Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA), whose separate setback and coverage standards are not part of the county code. 140(A).
Violations & Fines
Placer County setback conflicts are resolved through the priority order in § 17.54.130(B): applicable state law, recorded development agreements, and the highway deficiency report take precedence, followed by recorded subdivision conditions, before falling back to the zone-district table above. Building within a required setback without a permitted exception is a zoning violation enforceable under Article 17.62, and can require removal or relocation of the encroaching structure at the property owner's expense.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the front yard setback in Placer County's RS zone?
How wide do side setbacks need to be on a Placer County RS lot?
Do these setbacks apply to property in the Lake Tahoe Basin?
Can I build a fence inside a required setback?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Placer County
California rules heatmap·Compare Placer County to another location·View the California building setbacks & zoning overview
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