Modesto's zoning code caps building height by district: single-family and medium-density residential zones are limited to 2 stories or 30 feet; high-density residential allows 3 stories or 42 feet; commercial height ranges from 35 feet to 90 feet depending on zone and proximity to residential.
Modesto Municipal Code Title 10, Chapter 4, Article 1 (§10-4.102, Table 4.1-1) establishes maximum heights for residential zones: R-1 and R-2 zones are capped at 2 stories or 30 feet (whichever is less); R-3 allows 3 stories or 42 feet. Commercial standards appear in §10-4.202 (Table 4.2-1): P-O, C-1, and C-3 zones cap structures at 2–3 stories or 35–45 feet. C-2 (General Commercial) allows up to 8 stories or 90 feet when not adjacent to residential, but is restricted to 3 stories or 45 feet when adjacent to residential. Industrial zones (C-M, M-1, M-2) have no general height cap but are limited to 45 feet when abutting residential property under §10-4.304. Height exceptions for churches, government buildings, and
Structures exceeding zone height limits without approval are zoning violations enforceable by Modesto Code Enforcement. Penalties include stop-work orders, fines up to $2,500 per day, and required removal or modification of non-compliant structures.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Modesto, CA
Modesto's noise ordinance expressly exempts aircraft and railroad operations; aircraft noise around Modesto City-County Airport is governed by federal FAA ru...
Modesto, CA
Modesto's noise ordinance (MMC Title 4, Ch. 9) bans 'loud and raucous noise' citywide, including from industrial operations. Certain continuous industrial ac...
Modesto, CA
Modesto has no blanket overnight parking ban. The default rule is the 72-hour storage limit (sec. 3-2.1002). Residential Parking Permit Zones under Article 1...
Modesto, CA
Modesto zoning permits standard residential fence materials (wood, vinyl, masonry, ornamental metal, chain link). Barbed wire, razor wire and electrified fen...
Modesto, CA
Modesto's zoning ordinance limits a residential dwelling unit to two dogs (5+ months old) and three cats (3+ months old). Larger numbers, exotic animals, or ...
Modesto, CA
Modesto Municipal Code § 10-3.202 allows up to 12 domestic fowl (hens only - no roosters), plus 2 pygmy goats and 2 miniature potbellied pigs (no boars), per...
See how Modesto's structure height limits rules stack up against other locations.
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