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 total building coverage for residential accessory structures at 30% of the required rear yard of the primary dwelling, under Zoning Code § 5.4.5.A and Table 5.10.A. Every roofed space counts, enclosed or open, and in Residential zones the cap is shared with incidental agricultural structures such as coops. A separate floor-area cap ties accessory square footage to the size of the house.
Sacramento County Accessory Structure Lot Coverage Limits
Some RestrictionsSacramento County Zoning Code § 5.4.5.A, Table 5.10.A
Maximum Square Footage [13] 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 of prima...
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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