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

The County Zoning Ordinance in Division C12 of the Santa Clara County Code establishes minimum setbacks that vary by base district and by overlay. In the R1 single-family district the default is a 20 foot front yard, 5 foot interior side yards, 10 foot street side on corner lots, and a 20 foot rear yard. The HS Hillside and RR Rural Residential districts increase setbacks to reflect wildfire access and slope stability needs, and hillside lots typically require 30 foot front yards and 30 foot rear yards where slopes exceed 10 percent. Architectural features such as eaves, chimneys, and bay windows may project up to 30 inches into a required yard. Decks under 30 inches in height are treated as ground coverage rather than structures for setback purposes. Accessory dwelling units follow state law under Government Code 66314 and 66323, which preempts local setbacks and requires only a 4 foot side and rear setback for an ADU or junior ADU. Fences up to 6 feet in rear and side yards and 3 feet in front yards do not count against setbacks. Variances are heard by the County Zoning Administrator and require findings of unique hardship. Violations trigger Planning Department notices of correction and, if unresolved, administrative citations under Division B28 up to 1000 dollars per day.