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

110, sets the maximum height for a residential structure at 2 stories or 30 feet, whichever is less, in both the R-1 (Low-Density Residential) and R-2 (Medium-Density Residential) zones. In the R-3 (Medium-High-Density Residential) zone the cap rises to 3 stories or 42 feet, whichever is less. 401. Those exceptions let roof-mounted equipment such as chimneys, elevator housings, mechanical equipment, stairways, and vents exceed the base limit by up to 10 feet, subject to the California Building Code, and let architectural features like towers, spires, cupolas, and flagpoles rise up to 25 percent above the limit or 10 feet, whichever is less.

109(b) adds a design layer: in the R-2 and R-3 zones, any project with a second-story component that goes through development plan review must also be evaluated against the Multi-Family Residential Design Guidelines and the Neighborhood Compatibility Guidelines, on top of meeting the numeric height cap. 110 once its height above grade to the top plate line reaches 16 feet or two stories, whichever comes first, so a project can be within the 30-foot cap and still trigger that extra design review.