In the City of Hemet's single-family residential zones, the maximum structure height is generally 35 feet and two stories, under the Development Standards table in Section 90-314A. The hillside zone (R-1-H) allows up to 40 feet and three stories. Certain rooftop appurtenances may exceed the limit. These limits are set by the city, not Riverside County.
Building height in Hemet is set by the city's zoning code (Chapter 90), specifically the Single-Family Residential Development Standards table in Section 90-314A. In the R-A, R-1-D, R-1-6, R-1-7.2, R-1-10, R-1-20, and R-1-40 zones the maximum structure height is 35 feet, with a maximum of two stories. The hillside zone, R-1-H, allows a taller maximum of 40 feet and up to three stories, reflecting the sloped terrain it covers. The code provides height exceptions in Section 90-315(d): structures or features such as elevator or stairway housings, tanks, ventilating fans, skylights, towers, steeples, flagpoles, chimneys, smokestacks, wireless masts, and radio or television masts may be erected above the specified height limit, subject to the code's conditions. Architectural projections such as cornices, eaves, belt courses, sills, canopies, chimneys, and bay windows may extend into a required yard up to 30 inches but do not change the overall height limit. Height is measured and verified on the elevation drawings submitted with a building permit and confirmed at inspection. Commercial, manufacturing, and other zones have their own height standards elsewhere in Chapter 90, so confirm the figure for your specific zone with the Planning Division (951-765-2375). Relief from a height limit would require a variance through the city.
Building above the zone's height limit without approval is a zoning violation enforced by the Hemet Community Development Department; relief requires a variance through the city. Height is checked on submitted elevations and at inspection, so an over-height structure can be denied final approval and may require modification.
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