Sacramento County, CA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Setback Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Front yard
- 20 ft (24 ft with PUPF)
- Interior side yard
- 5 ft (1-2 story)
- Side street yard
- 12.5 ft (16.5 ft PUPF)
- Rear yard
- 20% of average lot depth
Summary
Single-family and duplex homes in unincorporated Sacramento County must sit at least 20 feet back from the street, 5 feet from interior side lines, and 12.5 feet from a side street, per the zoning code's residential development standards table.
Minimum Front Yard [1][2] 20 ft (Without PUPF) / 24 ft (With PUPF). Minimum Interior Side Yard [1][2] 5 ft (1-2 story) / 10 ft (3 story) [3]. Minimum Rear Yard [1][2] - Lot Depths greater than 125 feet: 25 ft - Lot Depths less than or equal to 125 feet: 20 percent of the average lot depth. Minimum Side Street Yard [1][2] 12.5 ft (Without PUPF) / 16.5 ft (With PUPF)
Full Breakdown
Table 5.7.C sets the yard minimums for single-family attached/detached and duplex/halfplex projects in all zones where allowed. Front yard is 20 feet without a Public Utilities and Public Facilities (PUPF) easement, or 24 feet with one; interior side yard is 5 feet for one- or two-story homes and 10 feet for three-story homes; side street yard is 12.5 feet (16.5 feet with a PUPF); and rear yard is 25 feet on lots deeper than 125 feet, or 20 percent of average lot depth on shallower lots. Setbacks are measured per the rules in § 5.2.1.
Violations & Fines
Building Permits and Inspection rejects plans that don't meet the Table 5.7.C setback minimums; encroaching construction can be red-tagged and must be relocated or removed to restore the required yard.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the minimum front setback for a house in unincorporated Sacramento County?
Do three-story homes get a bigger side setback?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sacramento County
California rules heatmap·Compare Sacramento County to another location·View the California building setbacks & zoning overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.