El Dorado County, CA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Structure Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- R1 / R20K max height
- 40 feet
- R1A / R2A / R3A / RE max
- 45 feet
- RM3 max height
- 50 feet
- Measured from
- average finished grade
- Over 25 ft wall height
- +1 ft side setback per foot
- Chimneys/towers/spires
- up to 20% higher allowed
Summary
El Dorado County caps residential building height by zone under Code Section 130.30.060 and Table 130.24.030: 40 feet in the R1 and R20K zones, 45 feet in R1A, R2A, R3A, and RE, and 50 feet in the RM3 multi-family zone, measured from average finished grade to the highest point of the roof.
All structures and buildings shall conform to the maximum height requirements established for the zone in which the lot is located as set forth in Chapters 130.21 (Agricultural, Rural, and Resources Zones) through 130.26 (Meyers Area Plan [MAP] Zone) in Article 2 (Zones, Allowed Uses, and Zoning Standards) of this Title, inclusive, subject to the exceptions under Subsection C (Exceptions to Building Height Requirements)...unless a Development Plan or Conditional Use Permit is approved allowing additional height, in compliance with Sections 130.52.040 (Development Plan Permit) or 130.52.021 (Conditional Use Permit)...C.Exceptions to Building Height Requirements. Chimneys; church spires; elevator, mechanical and stair housings; flag poles; towers; vents; and other similar structures which are not used for human activity may be up to 20 percent higher than the maximum height requirements in all zones where the excess height is not prohibited by Section 130.27.100 (Airport Noise and Safety Contour [-ANS]).
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 13 Update 4).
Full Breakdown
021) authorizes additional height. 030 sets the residential ceiling at 40 feet for the R1 and R20K zones, 45 feet for R1A, R2A, R3A, and RE, and 50 feet for the RM3 zone. Height is calculated under Subsection A by averaging the finished grade at each of a building's four walls and measuring to the highest point of the building; if a retaining wall holding back a grade drop sits within five feet of an exterior wall, that wall's height counts toward the building height.
Subsection B adds a side-yard rule for zones with setbacks under 30 feet: for the wall facing the side yard, every foot or fraction of height above 25 feet, measured to the highest point within ten feet of that wall's surface, increases the required side setback by one foot, so a 28-foot wall height adds three feet to the side setback. 100. A tower or similar structure used to raise ceiling height for habitable space does not qualify for this exception and is treated as ordinary building height, and none of these tall features may carry commercial or advertising use, though antennas and associated equipment may be housed inside them.
Violations & Fines
Building above the zone's maximum height without an approved Development Plan Permit or Conditional Use Permit is a zoning violation subject to County Code Enforcement action, and the excess height must be removed or the project must obtain the required permit before occupancy. Where a wall's measured height triggers the additional side-setback rule under Subsection B and the resulting setback is not met, the structure is likewise out of compliance until the setback is corrected or a Variance under Section 130.52.070 is obtained.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum house height in El Dorado County?
How is building height measured?
Can a chimney or tower exceed the height limit?
Does a taller wall push my side setback out further?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in El Dorado County
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