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

Section 21.14.060(C)(1)(b) sets the Low Density Residential main-structure limit at "Maximum height: thirty (30) feet," and the same subsection caps habitable and non-habitable accessory structures at "Maximum height: fifteen (15) feet" each, except that "Agricultural windmills are exempt from the height provisions of this Chapter." Barns, stables and farm outbuildings in LDR may reach 30 feet under Section 21.14.060(C)(4). The other residential districts set their own main-structure ceilings under the same Site Development Standards framework: High Density Residential allows 35 feet (Section 21.10.060(C)(1)(b)), Medium Density Residential allows 30 feet (Section 21.12.060(C)(1)(b)), and Rural Density Residential allows 30 feet (Section 21.16.060(C)(1)(b)); accessory structures are capped at 15 feet in all four districts.

Any of these limits can be overridden by a number printed directly on the Sectional District Map, for example an "LDR/2.5 (24)" notation that caps structures at 24 feet regardless of the chapter default, and Chapter 21.62 (Height and Setback Exceptions) sets out further allowed deviations. Because Section 21.02.010 limits Title 21 to the unincorporated, non-coastal county, these numbers do not apply inside the Coastal Zone, governed by the parallel Title 20 height tables, or inside Salinas, Monterey, Seaside, Marina, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Pacific Grove or King City.