Los Banos, CA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Structure Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- R-1 height limit
- 30 feet maximum
- R-2 height limit
- 30 feet, same standard
- R-3 height limit
- 30 feet, same standard
- Measured from
- Average grade to roof top
- Exempt from count
- Elevator rooms, HVAC equipment
- Relief mechanism
- Planning Commission variance
Summary
Los Banos caps building height at thirty feet in its Low, Medium and High Density Residential zones. The limit is measured from the average ground level under the building to the roof's topmost point, excluding rooftop mechanical equipment.
The maximum height of buildings in the Low Density Residential District shall be thirty (30′) feet.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4356507; v3 updated 2025-03-05).
Full Breakdown
804, so the limit is uniform across every standard residential zone in the city. 201 defines how that height is measured: the vertical distance from the average level of the highest and lowest point of the lot covered by the building to the topmost point of the roof, specifically excluding elevator equipment rooms and ventilating or air-conditioning equipment from the count. 2327 warns that variances are granted only where the standard height limit would create a genuine, non-self-induced hardship tied to the specific parcel, such as an unusual shape or topography, and that variances are not to be granted in a way that confers a special privilege other similarly zoned properties do not enjoy.
2329, including that the relief will not be contrary to public safety, health or welfare and will not conflict with the general plan, before any taller structure can be approved.
Violations & Fines
Building or altering a structure above the thirty-foot limit without an approved variance is a zoning violation. Under the general penalty provision, Section 1-2.01, that is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a $500 fine and six months in jail, or an infraction with escalating fines of $50, $100 and $250 for repeat convictions within a year, and each day the oversized structure remains is treated as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can I build a house in Los Banos?
Do rooftop AC units count toward the height limit?
Can I get an exception to build taller than thirty feet?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Los Banos
California rules heatmap·Compare Los Banos to another location·View the California building setbacks & zoning overview
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