Merced, CA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Structure Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Single-family height cap
- 35 ft., all R-R/R-1 subzones
- R-4 / R-MH cap
- 40 ft. / 35 ft.
- Height measured from
- Average grade at front wall to highest point
- Exempt features
- Spires, flagpoles, towers up to 15% of footprint
- Governing sections
- Table 20.08-2; Secs. 20.24.010, 20.24.020
Summary
Every single-family residential zoning subzone in Merced, from Rural Residential through R-1-5, caps building height at 35 feet. Table 20.08-2 sets the number, Sec. 20.24.010 defines how it's measured, and Sec. 20.24.020 lists narrow exceptions for features like church spires and flagpoles.
Height (max.) ... Feet 35 ft. 35 ft. 35 ft. 35 ft. 35 ft. ... 20.24.010 - Height measurement. The height of a structure shall be measured as the vertical distance from the average contact ground level at the front wall of the structure to the highest point of the structure, excluding chimneys, vents and other similar projecting features.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 85 - 1-26).
Full Breakdown
08-2, Development Standards for Single-Family Residential Zoning Districts (Sec. 030), fixes a maximum height of 35 feet across all five single-family subzones: R-R, R-1-20, R-1-10, R-1-6 and R-1-5. Sec. ' Sec. 020 then carves out specific features allowed to exceed the 35-foot cap: barns, silos and other agricultural structures if set back 50 feet or more from any property line; church spires, belfries, cupolas, domes, monuments, water towers, flagpoles, radio masts and similar projecting features, provided they cover no more than 15 percent of the building footprint; and places of public assembly such as schools and churches, which must add one foot of side and rear yard setback for every foot of height exceeding the district maximum.
None of these exceptions apply within the airport environs (/AE) overlay zone, where the 35-foot cap is absolute. 5, but 40 feet in R-4 and R-MH.
Violations & Fines
A structure built above 35 feet without qualifying for one of the Sec. 20.24.020 exceptions is a zoning violation enforced through the citywide administrative-citation process: a correction notice under Sec. 1.10.030 requires the responsible party to bring the structure into compliance within a reasonable time of at least 10 days, after which an uncorrected violation draws an administrative citation and a fine set by council resolution under Sec. 1.10.050.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can I build a house in Merced?
Where does the city start measuring my building's height from?
Can I build a flagpole or tower taller than 35 feet?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Merced
California rules heatmap·Compare Merced to another location·View the California building setbacks & zoning overview
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