Building Setbacks & Zoning in Marin County, CA (2026)
3 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Marin County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Setback Rules
Unincorporated Marin sets minimum yard setbacks by zoning district in Development Code Table 2-5. In the RA district a structure must sit back 25 feet from the front line, 6 feet on each side (10 feet on a street side), and 20 percent of lot depth up to 25 feet from the rear, with a 30-foot height limit.
Marin County Yard Setbacks by Zoning District
Some RestrictionsMarin County Code of Ordinances § 22.10.040, Table 2-5
TABLE 2-5 RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS. Zoning District: RA. Minimum Lot Area: 7,500 sq. ft. Maximum Residential Density: Not applicable. Minimum Setback Requirements: Front 25 ft.; Sides 6 ft., 10 ft. on street side; Rear 20% of lot depth to 25 ft. max. Height Limit: Primary 30 ft.; Accessory 16 ft. Maximum FAR: 0.30. RR RE R1 R2 RSP: Minimum Lot Area Not applicable; Maximum Resi...
Structure Height Limits
Marin's Development Code caps most residential structures at 30 feet and detached accessory buildings at 16 feet under Table 2-5 in Section 22.10.040, covering the RA, RR, RE, R1, R2, and RSP districts. Section 22.20.060 sets how height is measured and lists the narrow exceptions that let a dwelling or an institutional building go higher.
Marin County Residential Height Limit: 30 Feet
Some RestrictionsMarin County Development Code § 22.10.040, Table 2-5 (Residential District Development Standards)
A.General zoning district standards—Use of table. Proposed development and new land uses within the residential zoning districts established by Section 22.06.020 (Zoning Districts Established) shall be designed and constructed in conformity with the residential district development standards in Table 2-5 (Residential District Development Standards)... TABLE 2-5 RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT ...
Lot Coverage Limits
Marin County's Development Code doesn't set a flat maximum lot-coverage percentage by zoning district; instead, Section 22.52.020(A) requires discretionary Site Plan Review any time proposed development would push lot coverage above 75 percent on a single-family residential lot in the unincorporated area.
75% Lot Coverage Triggers Review in Marin County
Some RestrictionsMarin County Code of Ordinances §§ 22.130.030, 22.52.020
Lot Coverage. Lot coverage is the percentage of total site area occupied by buildings and other structures, impervious paving and other hard surfaces that have a water runoff factor of 0.5 or more according to the Bay Area Storm Water Management Agencies Association guidelines. Structure/building coverage includes the primary structure, all accessory structures (e.g., carports, garages, patio c...
Building Setbacks & Zoning by City in Marin County
1 cities in Marin County have their own building setbacks & zoning rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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