San Diego County, CA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Structure Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Standard range
- 15 to 60 feet by zone
- Above 60 feet
- requires Major Use Permit
- Measured by
- feet and number of stories
- Extra story
- via Administrative Permit
- Applies to
- unincorporated county zones only
Summary
Unincorporated San Diego County caps building height by zone designator under the Zoning Ordinance Height Schedule, ranging from 15 feet and one story up to 60 feet; anything taller requires a Major Use Permit.
4610 HEIGHT SCHEDULE. Height designators used for the Development Regulations shall be limited to those in the following Schedule B: A 15 1 B 20 2 C 25 2 ... P 60 4 Q 60 (a) R (b) (a). Notes: (a) Any number of stories is permitted, provided all building code requirements and floor-area ratio limitations are met. (b) Greater than 60 feet. Any height in excess of 60 feet requires a Major Use Permit.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-141: Administrative: Current through Ord. No. 11007 (N.S.), effective 7-10-26 | Regulatory: Current through Ord. No. 11008 (N.S.), effective 7-24-26).
Full Breakdown
The county's Height Regulations (Zoning Ordinance Sections 4600 through 4620) assign each zone a letter designator from Schedule B at Section 4610, setting maximum feet and stories, from 15 feet and one story for designator A up to 60 feet for designators P and Q, with anything taller requiring a Major Use Permit under designator R. Height is measured in both feet and number of stories. Section 4615 permits an extra story on steep downhill lots, or for a main dwelling via an Administrative Permit if compatibility and view findings are met. Section 4620 exempts items like flagpoles, antennas and chimneys from the cap.
Violations & Fines
Building Permits are issued against the zone's height designator; construction exceeding it without an approved Major Use Permit or Administrative Permit is non-compliant and subject to County Planning & Development Services enforcement and correction.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the height limit for a house in unincorporated San Diego County?
Can I build taller than 60 feet?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Diego County
California rules heatmap·Compare San Diego County to another location·View the California building setbacks & zoning overview
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