Maximum building height in unincorporated Merced County is set by zone. R-1 residential caps main structures at 30 feet, R-R at 35 feet, R-3 at 45 feet, and R-2 at 60 feet; accessory structures in most residential zones are limited to 15 feet. Height is measured to the highest point of the structure.
Structure height limits are established by zone in the Title 18 Zoning Code and measured under Section 18.30.030 as the vertical distance from the average finished grade nearest the structure to its highest point. In residential zones (Table 2-4), the maximum main-structure height is 30 feet in R-1, R-1-5000, and R-R (with public sewer/water); 35 feet in R-R (no public sewer/water); 45 feet in R-3; 60 feet in R-2; and 15 feet in the M-H (mobile home) zone. Accessory structures are limited to 35 feet in R-R but 15 feet in R-1, R-1-5000, R-2, R-3, R-4, and M-H, and may not exceed the height of the primary structure (Section 18.32.030.C.4); an accessory structure over 15 feet may be approved by the Director through an Administrative Permit. In commercial zones (Table 2-6) heights range from 35 feet (C-P, C-1) up to 75 feet (C-2, C-3); industrial zones (Table 2-8) allow 30 feet (B-P) up to 75 feet (M-1, M-2). Certain miscellaneous structures (chimneys, flag poles, water tanks, elevator housings, etc.) may exceed the limit by up to 25 percent, and places of assembly may exceed a 35-foot limit by up to 25 feet with added setbacks (Section 18.30.030.C). Because limits vary by zone, confirm your parcel's maximum height with Merced County Planning.
Building above the zone's maximum height without an approved exception or variance is a zoning violation that can block permit approval or require modification of the structure. Height increases for special structures must meet the specific conditions in Section 18.30.030.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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Merced County does not have its own curb-color ordinance; painted curbs in the unincorporated county follow California Vehicle Code Section 21458. Red means ...
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Merced County's Unified Development Ordinance requires off-street loading for commercial, mixed-use, and industrial uses. Under Section 18.38.210, such facil...
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Merced County restricts hazardous fence materials by zone. Barbed wire, electric fence, and razor wire are allowed only in agricultural and industrial zones;...
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Beyond height, Merced County's Chapter 18.34 sets sight-distance, corner-lot, and design requirements. Fences over 7 feet need a building permit, sight-trian...
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Merced County's zoning code exempts retaining walls less than 3 feet above finished grade from setback requirements. Separately, the California Building Code...
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Merced County does not use a dedicated 'hoarding' ordinance; excessive accumulation of animals is addressed through the pet-limit and permit rules (four dogs...
See how Merced County's structure height limits rules stack up against other locations.
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