Tracy, CA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Structure Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Height measurement point
- Average elevation of front street curb
- RE/LDR/MDC/MDR zones
- 2.5 stories or 35 feet, whichever less
- HDR zone
- No height limit (TMC 10.08.1620)
- LDR extra rule
- 3rd-story street windows required over 2 stories
- Rooftop exemptions
- Chimneys, antennas, water tanks, spires excluded
- Airport override
- FAA hazard standards control near airports
Summary
Tracy caps homes in its RE, LDR, MDC and MDR residential zones at two and one-half stories or 35 feet, whichever is less, while the HDR zone carries no height ceiling at all. Height is measured from the average front curb elevation, with narrow exemptions for chimneys, antennas and similar rooftop features.
10.08.140 - Building height. "Building height" shall mean the vertical distance measured from the average elevation of the front street curb to the highest point of the structure, exclusive of the permitted uses set forth in Section 10.08.3200 of Article 24 of this chapter. Where buildings are set back from the front lot line, the height shall be measured from the average elevation of the finished grade of the front yard. ... 10.08.3200 - Height limitations. Where doubt exists as to the height of the fences, hedges, buildings, structures, and the like provided for in this chapter, the height limitations shall be measured from the sidewalk level of the street on which the lot fronts. The height limitations set forth in this chapter shall not apply to church spires, belfries, cupolas, or domes not used for human occupancy, nor to chimneys, ventilators, skylights, water tanks, silos, cornices without windows, antennas, radio towers, or mechanical appurtenances usually carried above the roof level, except in no case shall it be lawful to construct... any building... which may constitute a hazard or obstruction to the safe navigation, landing, and takeoff of aircraft at a publicly used airport.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 69).
Full Breakdown
3200. That companion section, Height Limitations, provides that where doubt exists as to the height of fences, hedges or buildings, the measurement runs from the sidewalk level of the fronting street, and it exempts church spires, belfries, cupolas and domes not used for human occupancy, plus chimneys, ventilators, skylights, water tanks, silos, cornices without windows, antennas, radio towers, and similar rooftop mechanical appurtenances, from the height limitations entirely, except that nothing may be built high enough to hazard or obstruct aircraft navigation at a public airport, where Federal Aviation Agency standards control as a floor.
1430 (MDR) each cap buildings at two and one-half stories or 35 feet, whichever is less, and the LDR standard adds that any residence over two stories must have windows above the second story facing the street frontage. 1620 states there is no height limit in the HDR (High Density Residential) Zone. 3200 to define how tall a structure may legally rise on a given residential lot.
Violations & Fines
Constructing above the applicable zone height maximum, or above the measurement baseline set by TMC section 10.08.140, is a zoning violation subject to Tracy's general Municipal Code enforcement under Chapter 1.04 and section 1.16.010: the City may deny or condition the building permit, record a notice of violation against the property, and pursue infraction fines that escalate from $100 to $500 for repeat violations of the same provision within twelve months, or misdemeanor penalties of up to $1,000 and six months where the violation is charged as a misdemeanor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum height for a house in Tracy?
How is building height measured in Tracy?
Are there height limits in Tracy's high-density residential zone?
Do chimneys and antennas count toward Tracy's height limit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Tracy
California rules heatmap·Compare Tracy to another location·View the California building setbacks & zoning overview
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Structure Height Limits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Joaquin County handle structure height limits.