Building Setbacks & Zoning in Imperial County, CA (2026)
2 rules for unincorporated Imperial County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Imperial County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.
Setback Rules
In Imperial County's R-1 zone, homes need a 20-25 ft front setback, 5 ft side setbacks (15 ft on corner lots) and a 20-25 ft rear setback.
Imperial County R-1 Yard Setback Minimums
Some RestrictionsImperial County Code § 90502.06(A)-(B) (Title 9, Land Use Ordinance, Division 5, Chapter 2)
A.Front Yard...Standard - Twenty-five (25) feet for existing lots unless the lot is less than ninety (90) feet in depth in which case the setback is twenty (20) feet... B.Side Yard...There shall be a minimum five feet on each side of an R-1 structure to property line except as follows: On corner lots, the side yard facing a street shall have a fifteen-foot setback.
Structure Height Limits
In Imperial County's R-1 low-density residential zone, primary homes are capped at three stories or 40 feet, detached accessory structures at two stories or 25 feet, and antennas or chimneys at 60 feet.
Imperial County R-1 Height Limits
Some RestrictionsImperial County Code § 90502.07
The following height limits shall apply to all R-1 zones (all heights measured from AGL (average ground level) of lot): A.Primary residential buildings shall not exceed three stories in height, or forty (40) feet whichever is less.B.Detached accessory structures shall not exceed two stories or twenty-five (25) feet whichever is less.C.Radio and/or television antenna incidental to the structure,...
All Imperial County ordinances
See every category we cover for Imperial County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Imperial County Ordinance Hub →