San Joaquin County, CA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Structure Height Limits (2026)

Development Title Section 9-1005 limits building heights in San Joaquin County by zone. Residential zones (R-L, R-R, R-VL) cap principal dwellings at 35 feet or 2.5 stories. R-M and R-H medium/high density may go to 45 feet. AG and AU zones allow farm buildings (barns, hay storage, equipment sheds, silos) up to 50 feet by right, with greater heights by Use Permit for grain elevators and silos. Commercial C-1/C-2 is 35–45 feet; C-G general commercial along SR-99 and I-5 frontage is 50 feet. Industrial M-1/M-2 is 50–65 feet. Height is measured from average natural or finished grade (whichever is lower) to the highest point excluding permitted projections: chimneys, antennas, church steeples, flagpoles, and mechanical equipment enclosures may exceed the limit by up to 10 feet; solar arrays are exempt per California's solar-access protections. FAA Federal Aviation Regulations Part 77 imaginary surfaces around Stockton Metropolitan Airport (KSCK), Tracy Municipal (KTCY), Kingdon Airpark, and New Jerusalem Airport restrict heights that would penetrate the approach, transitional, or horizontal surfaces — FAA Form 7460-1 notice required for structures over 200 feet AGL or within airport influence areas.