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

Building height in unincorporated Alpine County is set by zone under Title 18, and the residential zones (RE, Chapter 18.32, and RN, Chapter 18.36) scale the maximum height to the lot's slope and geographic area. For the East Slope, no main building may exceed thirty-four feet on a lot having a slope of ten percent or less, thirty-five feet on a slope of ten to twenty percent, or thirty-six feet on a slope exceeding twenty percent. For the West Slope, no main building may exceed thirty-six feet on a lot with a slope of ten percent or less, thirty-eight feet on a slope of ten to twenty percent, or forty feet on a slope exceeding twenty percent. The slope-based tiers allow taller structures on steeper lots, reflecting the mountainous terrain. Under Chapter 18.68, the height limits may be exceeded only if a variance is granted, and even then the front, rear, and side yard setbacks must be increased one foot for each one foot by which the building exceeds the limit. Building height must be shown on plan-set elevations submitted to Planning. Special areas such as the Markleeville Historic District may apply additional design-review standards under Chapter 18.56.