3 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Sonoma County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Building setbacks in unincorporated Sonoma County are set by each zoning district in Chapter 26. In the R1 Low Density Residential district, the front yard must be at least 20 feet (and no structure closer than 45 feet to a road centerline), side yards at least 5 feet, and rear yards at least 20 feet. Other districts have different yards.
Sonoma County Code, Chapter 26 (Zoning Regulations), Article 20 (R1 Low Density Residential), Sec. 26-20-030(f)
Sec. 26-20-030. - Permitted residential density and development criteria. (f) Yard Requirements. (1) Front Yard. Not less than twenty feet (20); provided, however, that no structure shall be located closer than forty-five feet (45) to the centerline of any public road, street or highway. (2) Side Yard. Not less than five feet (5) except where the side yard abuts a street in which case such yard...
Maximum building height in unincorporated Sonoma County is set by each zoning district. In the R1 Low Density Residential district, the main building may be up to 35 feet and accessory buildings up to 15 feet, with additional height allowed only if a use permit is first secured. Other zones set their own limits.
Sonoma County Code, Chapter 26 (Zoning Regulations), Article 20 (R1 Low Density Residential), Sec. 26-20-030(b)
Sec. 26-20-030. - Permitted residential density and development criteria. (b) Maximum Building Height. (1) Thirty-five feet (35) for the main building and fifteen feet (15) for accessory buildings, provided that additional height may be permitted if a use permit is first secured.
Maximum lot coverage in unincorporated Sonoma County is set by zoning district. In the R1 Low Density Residential district, buildings may cover no more than 40% of the lot, with a minimum lot size of 6,000 square feet and minimum average lot width of 60 feet. Swimming pools may be exempted from coverage by the planning director.
Sonoma County Code, Chapter 26 (Zoning Regulations), Article 20 (R1 Low Density Residential), Sec. 26-20-030(c)-(e)
Sec. 26-20-030. - Permitted residential density and development criteria. (c) Minimum Lot Size. Six thousand (6,000) square feet. (d) Minimum Lot Width. The minimum average lot width required within each lot is sixty feet (60). (e) Maximum Lot Coverage. Forty percent (40%). Lot coverage may be waived by the planning director for swimming pools.
1 cities in Sonoma County have their own building setbacks & zoning rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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