Stanislaus County, CA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Structure Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Max building height
- 35 feet, R-A district
- Governing section
- County Code § 21.24.040(A)
- Applies to
- Unincorporated R-A parcels only
- First infraction fine
- $100 (§ 1.36.020)
- Last amended
- Ord. CS 1408, Dec. 9, 2025
Summary
In Stanislaus County's Rural Residential (R-A) zoning district, which covers most unincorporated land outside Modesto, Turlock and Ceres, buildings are capped at a maximum of thirty-five feet under County Code § 21.24.040(A). The limit applies countywide in R-A parcels regardless of lot size.
Height limits in R-A districts: A. Maximum of thirty-five feet for all buildings;
Full Breakdown
040, titled "Height limits," sets the vertical envelope for the R-A district, the county's baseline rural-residential zone applied to unincorporated land surrounding Modesto, Turlock, Ceres, Riverbank, Oakdale, Patterson, Newman, Waterford and Hughson. 080). 040 itself. The ordinance traces to Ord. CS 106 § 3 (1984) and was most recently amended by Ord. CS 1408 (effective December 9, 2025), so the thirty-five-foot cap is current law, not a superseded draft.
Violations & Fines
Exceeding the thirty-five-foot cap without an approved variance or amended plan is a zoning code violation. Under the county's general penalty chapter, § 1.36.020, an infraction carries a mandatory fine of one hundred dollars for a first violation, two hundred dollars for a second violation of the same ordinance within a year, and four hundred dollars for each additional violation within that year, with each day the excess structure remains a separate violation. The planning and community development department and code enforcement staff handle inspection and citation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can I build a house in unincorporated Stanislaus County?
Does the 35-foot cap apply inside Modesto or Turlock?
What happens if I build higher than 35 feet without approval?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Stanislaus County
California rules heatmap·Compare Stanislaus County to another location·View the California building setbacks & zoning overview
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