Imperial County, CA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Setback Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Front setback
- 25 ft (20 ft alt.)
- Side setback
- 5 ft each side
- Corner lot side
- 15 ft street side
- Rear setback
- 25 ft (10-20 ft alt.)
Summary
In Imperial County's R-1 zone, homes need a 20-25 ft front setback, 5 ft side setbacks (15 ft on corner lots) and a 20-25 ft rear setback.
A.Front Yard...Standard - Twenty-five (25) feet for existing lots unless the lot is less than ninety (90) feet in depth in which case the setback is twenty (20) feet... B.Side Yard...There shall be a minimum five feet on each side of an R-1 structure to property line except as follows: On corner lots, the side yard facing a street shall have a fifteen-foot setback.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 62 - 9-25).
Full Breakdown
Imperial County Code § 90502.06 sets R-1 zone yard setbacks. The front setback is a standard 25 feet, reduced to 20 feet on lots under 90 feet deep or where three covered parking spaces sit behind the setback line. Side yards need a minimum 5 feet on each side, 15 feet on the street-facing side of corner lots, or zero on one side under an approved zero-lot-line design with a two-hour fire-rated wall. Rear yards need 25 feet for primary structures without alley access, dropping to 10 feet with a 20-foot alley, and detached accessory structures need only 5 feet, or zero feet abutting a fire-rated alley wall.
Violations & Fines
Building within the required front, side or rear yard setback in the R-1 zone without an approved exception (zero-lot-line design, alley access, or covered parking) violates § 90502.06.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far must a house sit from the front property line in Imperial County's R-1 zone?
What's the minimum side yard setback?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Imperial County
California rules heatmap·Compare Imperial County to another location·View the California building setbacks & zoning overview
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