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

Building (structure) height in unincorporated Sonoma County is regulated district-by-district in Chapter 26 of the Zoning Code. For the R1 Low Density Residential district, Section 26-20-030(b) sets the maximum building height at thirty-five feet (35') for the main building and fifteen feet (15') for accessory buildings, provided that additional height may be permitted if a use permit is first secured. Maximum height for telecommunication facilities is governed separately under Section 26-88-130. Fence heights are treated separately from building heights: under Section 26-88-030(a), fences in residential and K districts are limited to 6 feet in required side and rear yards and 3 feet in required front yards without a use permit.

Height is generally measured to the topmost point of the structure. The R1 figures are typical for low-density residential parcels, but other zoning districts - rural residential, agricultural, commercial, and the various combining districts - establish their own height maximums and exceptions, and special height step-downs can apply where a higher-density zone abuts a lower-density one (for example, a 35-foot cap on buildings within 30 feet of an R1 or RR zone). Because the applicable maximum depends entirely on your parcel's zoning district and any overlay, confirm the height limit for your specific zone with Permit Sonoma before designing or building.