Inyo County, CA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Structure Height Limits (2026)

Building height in unincorporated Inyo County is governed by the Title 18 Zoning Ordinance, with limits that vary by zone and structure type. For residential districts, the zoning code provides that no dwelling in an R district may have more than two and one-half stories or a height in excess of 35 feet; this 35-foot residential cap is reflected in the R-1 (One Family Residence) standards of Chapter 18.30 and applies across the R zones. Detached accessory buildings are held to a stricter standard: no detached accessory building may have a height in excess of 20 feet, except as otherwise specifically provided in the regulations of the specific zoning district. The general regulations in Chapter 18.78 also exempt certain features from the height limits of the title, including chimneys, church spires, and flag poles, which may extend above the otherwise applicable limit. Height is read together with the yard and setback rules of the underlying district, since taller structures must still meet front, side, and rear yard requirements. Non-residential zones (commercial, industrial, and others) carry their own height provisions in their respective chapters. Because limits and exceptions are district-specific, property owners should verify the height standard for their exact zone with the Planning Department before designing a project.