Santa Cruz County, CA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Structure Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Standard single-family height cap
- 28 feet, 2 stories
- RB Ocean Beach District cap
- 25 feet (17 feet beach lots)
- RR/RA/R-1 over 1 acre
- 28 feet, 3 stories
- RF Residential Flex District
- 40 feet, 3 stories
- RM districts inside urban services line
- up to 35 feet, 3 stories
- Governing table
- SCCC Table 13.10.323-1 and -2
Summary
Unincorporated Santa Cruz County caps single-family building height at 28 feet in most residential zones under SCCC § 13.10.323(C), dropping to 25 feet (17 feet for beach lots) in the RB Ocean Beach District. Multifamily RM zones allow up to 35 feet within the urban services line.
Table 13.10.323-1: Single-Family Residential Site and Structural Dimensions Chart ... Building Massing1 / Maximum building height: 25 (17 for beach lots) [RB] / 28 [R-1-2.5 to R-1-4] / 28 [R-1-5] / 28 [R-1-6 to R-1-9] / 28 [R-1-10 to R-1-15] / 28 [R-1-16 to R-1<1 acre] / 28 [RR, RA, R-1>1 acre]. Maximum number of stories: 2 (1 for beach lots) / 2 / 2 / 2 / 2 / 2 / 3.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 5004302; v11 updated 2026-05-19; through 05-19-2026).
Full Breakdown
5 through R-1-16 and up through RR, RA, and R-1 parcels over one acre, each capped at two stories (three stories on RR/RA/R-1 over one acre). The RB Ocean Beach Residential District is the exception: it caps height at 25 feet generally, but drops to just 17 feet and one story for beach lots specifically. 5 through RM-9 districts step from 28 feet outside the urban services line up to 35 feet and three stories inside it, reflecting the county's push for denser housing near serviced areas.
5 for higher-density RF development at 30 or more dwelling units per acre. 681, so a tall garage or ADU is not judged against the primary-dwelling height table. 080 also applies before a building permit can issue.
Violations & Fines
A structure built beyond the tabled height maximum without an approved variance or permit modification is out of compliance with its site development permit and can be red-tagged by county building inspectors, halting construction until the excess height is removed or a discretionary exception is separately approved through Chapter 18.10 SCCC review.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can I build a house in unincorporated Santa Cruz County?
Are height limits different for apartments and multifamily buildings?
Does the height limit apply to a detached garage or ADU?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Cruz County
California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Cruz County to another location·View the California building setbacks & zoning overview
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