Building Setbacks & Zoning in Pismo Beach, CA (2026)
3 verified building setbacks & zoning rules for Pismo Beach, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Setback Rules
In the City of Pismo Beach, California, the 1983 Zoning Ordinance sets a front yard of not less than twenty feet in the A-E, R-1 and R-2 zones, a corner-lot street side yard of twenty percent of lot width between seven and ten feet, interior side yards of ten percent between four and five feet, and rear yards of ten percent of average lot depth between five and ten feet. The 1998 Zoning Code adds measurement rules and exemptions.
Yard Setback Minimums in Pismo Beach, California
Some RestrictionsPismo Beach Municipal Code §§ 17.102.020(A)(1), 17.102.030(A), 17.102.040(A) (1983 Zoning Ordinance); § 17.22.020 (1998 Zoning Code)
A. Residential. ... 1. In the A-E, R-1 and R-2 zones, each lot shall have a front yard setback of not less than twenty feet. ... ... A. Residential. ... In the A-E, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-R and M-H zones, each corner lot shall have a street side yard setback of not less than twenty percent of the lot width, but in no case shall the setback be less than seven feet nor required to be more than ten...
Structure Height Limits
In the City of Pismo Beach, California, the 1983 Zoning Ordinance caps structures in the A-E, R-1, R-2 and M-H zones at twenty-five feet above the center of the building footprint, with no portion above thirty-five feet, and sets thirty-five feet for the R-3, R-4 and R-R zones. The 1998 Zoning Code ties height to each district's standard and allows five-foot exceptions.
Residential Structure Height Limits in Pismo Beach, California
Some RestrictionsPismo Beach Municipal Code § 17.102.010(A) (1983 Zoning Ordinance); §§ 17.20.020, 17.20.040(B) (1998 Zoning Code)
A. Residential. ... Except as provided in Chapter 17.081 or unless a variance has been granted pursuant to Chapter 17.121, no structures in the A-E, R-1, R-2 or M-H zones shall exceed twenty-five feet in height as measured above the center of the building footprint at site grade, nor shall the vertical measurement of any portion of the structure exceed thirty-five feet in height above site grad...
Lot Coverage Limits
In the City of Pismo Beach, California, the 1983 Zoning Ordinance caps total lot coverage for all structures at ten percent in the A-E zone, fifty-five percent in R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4 and R-R, eighty percent in C-1, C-2 and G, and thirty-three percent in C-M. The 1998 Zoning Code defines site coverage to include sheds, garages and porches.
Maximum Lot Coverage Limits in Pismo Beach, California
Some RestrictionsPismo Beach Municipal Code § 17.102.080 (1983 Zoning Ordinance); § 17.62.020, Site Coverage (1998 Zoning Code)
A. A-E Zone. Total maximum lot coverage for subdivided parcels: Ten percent. B. R-1 and R-2 Zone. Total maximum lot coverage for subdivided parcels: Fifty-five percent. C. R-3, R-4 and R-R Zones. Total maximum lot coverage for subdivided parcels: Fifty-five percent. ... F. C-1, C-2 and G Zones. Total maximum lot coverage: Eighty percent. G. C-M Zone. Total maximum lot coverage: Thirty-three per...
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