Building Setbacks & Zoning in Sacramento County, CA (2026)
3 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 4 cities in Sacramento County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Setback Rules
Single-family and duplex homes in unincorporated Sacramento County must sit at least 20 feet back from the street, 5 feet from interior side lines, and 12.5 feet from a side street, per the zoning code's residential development standards table.
Sacramento County Residential Setback Minimums
Some RestrictionsSacramento County Zoning Code § 5.4.2.C, Table 5.7.C
Minimum Front Yard [1][2] 20 ft (Without PUPF) / 24 ft (With PUPF). Minimum Interior Side Yard [1][2] 5 ft (1-2 story) / 10 ft (3 story) [3]. Minimum Rear Yard [1][2] - Lot Depths greater than 125 feet: 25 ft - Lot Depths less than or equal to 125 feet: 20 percent of the average lot depth. Minimum Side Street Yard [1][2] 12.5 ft (Without PUPF) / 16.5 ft (With PUPF)
Structure Height Limits
Single-family, duplex and halfplex homes in unincorporated Sacramento County are capped at 30 feet for one or two stories and 40 feet for three stories under Zoning Code Table 5.7.C. A third story, and the taller cap, is allowed only in AG, AR and RD-1 through RD-7 zones with a Special Development Permit from the Zoning Administrator.
Sacramento County Residential Structure Height Limit
Some RestrictionsSacramento County Zoning Code § 5.4.2.C, Table 5.7.C
Minimum Interior Side Yard [1][2]: 5 ft (1-2 story) / 10 ft (3 story) [3] Maximum Building Height [4]: 30 ft (1-2 story) / 40 ft (3 story) [4] In AG, AR, and RD-1 through RD-7 zones, maximum height may be increased to three stories only with issuance of a Special Development Permit approved by the Zoning Administrator. Height criteria shall consider factors as prescribed in Section 5.2.2.D.
Lot Coverage Limits
Sacramento County caps how much of a residential lot's required rear yard a detached accessory structure, like a shed, garage or workshop, can cover. Zoning Code Table 5.10.A limits accessory building coverage to 30% of the required rear yard and ties total accessory square footage to the primary home's habitable floor area, with a Special Development Permit required for any deviation.
Sacramento County Accessory Building Coverage Limit
Some RestrictionsSacramento County Zoning Code § 5.4.5.A, Table 5.10.A
The area of all accessory structures on a single parcel, shall not exceed [3]; - For lots less than 20,000 sq. ft. in gross area: 50% of the habitable floor area of the primary residential dwelling. - For lots 20,000 sq. ft. in gross area or greater, 100% of the habitable floor area of the primary dwelling. Maximum Building Coverage: 30% of required rear yard [3] [3] For the purpose of this cal...
Building Setbacks & Zoning by City in Sacramento County
4 cities in Sacramento County have their own building setbacks & zoning rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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