Ridgecrest, CA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Setback Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- R-1 front yard
- 20 feet
- R-1 rear yard
- 10 feet
- R-1 side yards
- 5 ft and 10 ft
- Reduced side yard
- down to 3 feet
Summary
R-1 lots in Ridgecrest require a 20-foot front yard, 10-foot rear yard, and side yards of 5 and 10 feet, with reduced minimums allowed on cul-de-sac and knuckle lots.
(k)Yard requirements.(1)Front yard. The minimum front yard setback shall be 20 feet unless located on a cul-de-sac or knuckle. In this case the minimum setback line shall be determined by scribing a straight line between two points located 20 feet behind the front property line on the side property lines. In no case shall any portion of the setback line be less than 15 feet.(2)Rear yard. The minimum rear yard shall be ten feet. Accessory structures may be located in any portion of a required rear yard provided they do not encroach into a utility easement. Further, the drip line of an accessory structure shall not fall outside of the lot on which the accessory structure is installed.(3)Side yard. There shall be a side yard on each side of a main building of not less than five feet on one side and not less than ten feet on the other side
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 6).
Full Breakdown
City Code § 106-318(k) sets R-1 single-family yard minimums at 20 feet front, 10 feet rear, and side yards of 5 feet on one side and 10 feet on the other. Cul-de-sac and knuckle lots get a reduced 15-foot front-yard floor. Section 106-21 allows one side yard to shrink to as little as 3 feet if the combined width of both sides still meets the required minimum, and permits limited eave, chimney, and awning projections into required yards.
Violations & Fines
Building inside a required yard without an approved exception is a zoning violation; the city can require the encroaching portion of the structure be removed or relocated.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far must my house sit from the property line in Ridgecrest?
Can a side yard in Ridgecrest be narrower than that?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Ridgecrest
California rules heatmap·Compare Ridgecrest to another location·View the California building setbacks & zoning overview
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Setback Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Kern County handle setback rules.