Chapter 23.29 — DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS BY ZONING DISTRICT
Elk Grove Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-25 · Elk Grove
23.29.010 Purpose. ¶
The purpose of this chapter is to establish development standards for lot area, allowed density, building setbacks, height, and lot coverage as appropriate for each of the City’s base zoning districts. Standards for overlay zoning districts are provided in EGMC Chapter 23.42 (Overlay/Combining Districts). [Ord. 23-2014 §3 (Exh. A), eff. 10-10-2014]
23.29.020 General zoning district development standards. ¶
A. Table 23.29-1 (Development Standards for Base Zoning Districts) includes lot area, allowed density, building setbacks, height, and lot coverage requirements, as defined in this title, for each of the City’s base zoning districts.
B. Calculation/Rounding of Density. When the calculation of the density of residential development results in a fraction value, the density shall be rounded to the nearest hundredth (< 0.049 round down, > 0.050 round up).
Table 23.29-1
Development Standards for Base Zoning Districts
Part A: Agricultural and Residential Zoning Districts
| Measurement/ Zoning District |
Agricultural Zoning Districts | Agricultural Zoning Districts | Agricultural Zoning Districts | Agricultural Zoning Districts | Agricultural Zoning Districts | Agricultural Zoning Districts | Residential Zoning D | Residential Zoning D | Residential Zoning D | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AG- 80 |
AG- 20 |
AR- 10 |
AR-5 | AR-2 | AR-1 | RD-1 | RD-2 | RD-3 | RD-4 | RD-5 | RD-6 | RD-7 | RD-8 | RD-1 | ||
| Residential Density |
||||||||||||||||
| Density (du/acre) | ||||||||||||||||
| Minimum | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 7.1 du/acres |
8.1 du/ac |
|
| Maximum | 1 du/lot |
1 du/lot |
1 du/lot |
1 du/lot |
1 du/lot |
1 du/lot |
1 du/acre |
2 du/acre |
3 du/acre |
4 du/acre |
5 du/acre |
6 du/acre |
7 du/acre |
8.0 du/acres |
10 du/ac |
|
| Lot Dimensions2 | ||||||||||||||||
| Lot Area, minimum |
||||||||||||||||
| Acres | 80 | 20 | 10 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Square feet | - | - | - | - | - | - | 43,560 | 20,000 | 10,000 | 8,500 | 5,200 | 4,000 | -4 | -4 | -4 | |
| Lot Width/Frontage, minimum |
||||||||||||||||
| Generally | 1,000 ft |
500 ft | 300 ft | 250 ft | 150 ft | 75 ft | 75 ft | 75 ft | 65 ft | 65 ft | 52 ft | 40 ft | -4 | -4 | -4 | |
| Corner lots | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 75ft | 62 ft | 47.5ft | -4 | -4 | -4 | |
| Lot Depth, minimum |
1,500 ft |
1,500 ft |
100 ft | 100 ft | 100 ft | 100 ft | 125 ft | 125 ft | 125 ft | 100 ft | 85 ft | 65 ft | -4 | -4 | -4 | |
| Setbacks | ||||||||||||||||
| Front Yard | ||||||||||||||||
| Generally | 50 ft | 50 ft | 30 ft | 30 ft | 25ft | 25ft | 20 ft3 | 20 ft3 | 20 ft3 | 20 ft3 | 15ft3 | 15ft3 | 12.5ft3 | -4 | -4 | |
| To covered porch | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 20 ft3 | 15 ft3 | 12.5 ft3 | 12.5 ft3, 5 |
-4 | -4 | |
| To garage door, front facing |
- | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 22 ft3 | 20 ft3 | 20 ft3 | 18 ft3 | -4 | -4 | |
| To garage, swing/side load |
- | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 15 ft3 | 15 ft3 | 15 ft3 | 12.5 ft3 | -4 | -4 | |
| Side Yard | ||||||||||||||||
| Interior side, generally |
50 ft | 50 ft | 20 ft | 20 ft | 20 ft | 10 ft | 5 ft | 5 ft | 5 ft | 5 ft | 5 ft | 5 ft | 5 ft | -4 | -4 | |
| Side setback for zero lot line |
- | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 10 ft | 10 ft | 10 ft | 10 ft | -4 | -4 | |
| Interior side, adjacent to residential and open space |
- | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Street side | 50 ft | 50 ft | 15ft | 15ft | 15ft | 15ft | 12.5ft | 12.5ft | 12.5ft | 12.5ft | 12.5ft | 12.5ft | 12.5ft | -4 | -4 |
| Measurement/ Zoning District |
Agricultural Zoning Districts | Agricultural Zoning Districts | Agricultural Zoning Districts | Agricultural Zoning Districts | Agricultural Zoning Districts | Agricultural Zoning Districts | Agricultural Zoning Districts | Residential Zoning D | Residential Zoning D | Residential Zoning D | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AG- 80 |
AG- 20 |
AR- 10 |
AR-5 | AR-2 | AR-1 | RD-1 | RD-2 | RD-3 | RD-4 | RD-5 | RD-6 | RD-7 | RD-8 | RD-1 | |||
| Rear Yard | |||||||||||||||||
| Generally | 50 ft | 50 ft | 25ft | 25ft | 25ft | 25ft | 25ft | 25ft | 25ft | - | - | - | 15ft7 | -4 | -4 | ||
| To living area, lots > 100 feet deep |
- | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 20 ft | 15 ft | 15 ft | - | -4 | -4 | ||
| To living area, lots ≤ 100 feet deep |
- | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 15% of average lot depth6 | -4 | -4 | -4 | ||||
| To detached garage/secondary dwellingunit |
- | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 5 ft | 5 ft | 5 ft | - | -4 | -4 | ||
| Height Limits | |||||||||||||||||
| Generally | 30 ft1 | 30 ft1 | 30 ft1 | 30 ft1 | 30 ft1 | 30 ft1 | 30 ft | 30 ft | 30 ft | 30 ft | 30 ft | 30 ft | 30 ft | 35 ft | 35 ft | ||
| Buildings < 100 feet from agricultural, agricultural residential, residential |
- | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| Buildings, or portions thereof, ≥ 500 feet from residential zoningdistrict |
- | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| Other Development Standards |
|||||||||||||||||
| Minimum open space10 |
- | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| Maximum lot coverage from structures |
5% | 10% | 20% | 25% | 50% | 50% | 75% | 75% | 75% | 75% | 75% | 75% | 75% | 75% | 85% | ||
| Accessory structures |
Refer to EGMC Chapter | 23.46 |
|||||||||||||||
| Fences and walls | Refer to EGMC Chapter 23.52 |
||||||||||||||||
| Landscaping | Refer to EGMC Chapter 23.54 |
||||||||||||||||
| Lighting | Refer to EGMC Chapter 23.56 |
||||||||||||||||
| Parking | Refer to EGMC Chapter | 23.58 |
|||||||||||||||
| Performance standards |
Refer to EGMC Chapter | 23.60 |
|||||||||||||||
| Signs | Refer to EGMC Chapter | 23.62 |
Notes:
Accessory structures are generally permitted to a maximum height of forty (40' 0") feet, except that water tanks, silos, granaries, and similar structures or necessary mechanical apparatus may be a maximum height of sixty-five (65' 0") feet.
Flag lots are discouraged and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Typically, the sidewalk is located attached to the curb (for a monolith sidewalk) with the front property line at the back of the sidewalk. Pursuant to EGMC Section 23.64.040, the setback measurement is taken from this property line. However, in some cases, the sidewalk may be detached from the curb and a landscape planter provided between the curb and sidewalk. In these instances, the property line may be located either at the curb or at the back of the sidewalk. When this occurs, the required front setback may be reduced by an amount no greater than the width of the width of the planter; however, the total distance between the back of the sidewalk and the face of the structure shall be no less than twelve and one-half (12' 6") feet but may be reduced to ten (10' 0") feet as part of a reduced public utility easement approved by the City at the time of the tentative subdivision map approval in consultation with utility agencies. This reduction shall not be applied to the minimum setback for a front-facing garage door. See the following example figure, which illustrates this concept with the development standards for the RD-5 zone:
==> picture [313 x 88] intentionally omitted <==
Determined through the design review process.
The front setback to covered porch may be reduced to ten (10' 0") feet if a reduced public utility easement (PUE) is approved as part of the subdivision map.
In no event shall the rear yard be less than ten (10' 0") feet for one (1) story buildings and fifteen (15' 0") feet for two (2) and three (3) story buildings.
Portions of the structure limited to one (1) story may be set back a minimum of ten (10' 0") feet; second story portions shall be set back a minimum of fifteen (15' 0") feet.
The side and rear setback for multifamily structures abutting any single-family residential or open space district shall be thirty (30' 0") feet for the first and second story (or portions thereof); forty (40' 0") feet for the third story (or portions thereof); fifty (50' 0") feet for the fourth story (or portions thereof); sixty (60' 0") feet for the fifth story (or portions thereof); and seventy (70' 0") feet for the sixth story and
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above (or portions thereof).
As part of the design review process, the maximum height may be increased to sixty (60' 0") feet.
Open space includes both private and common areas. Common area open space includes active and passive recreation areas, other outdoor amenities, natural open space areas, and all landscaped areas outside of the required landscape corridors along adjoining streets with a minimum width of twenty (20' 0") feet and minimum area of two hundred (200' 0") square feet. Private open space includes private balconies, porches, and patios with a minimum width of five (5' 0") feet and minimum area of fifty (50' 0") square feet..
Notwithstanding footnote 4, development of multifamily dwellings in the RD-18 zone shall utilize the corresponding development standard provided in the RD-20 zone.
Table 23.29-1
Development Standards for Base Zoning Districts
Part B: Commercial, Mixed Use, Office, Industrial, and Public/Quasi-Public Zoning Districts
| Measurement/Zoning District |
Commercial Zoning Districts |
Commercial Zoning Districts |
Commercial Zoning Districts |
Commercial Zoning Districts |
Commercial Zoning Districts |
Mixed Use | Mixed Use | Office Zoning Districts |
Office Zoning Districts |
Industrial Zoning Districts |
Industrial Zoning Districts |
Industrial Zoning Districts |
Public/Quasi- Public Zoning Districts |
Public/Quasi- Public Zoning Districts |
Public/Quasi- Public Zoning Districts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LC | GC | SC | AC | **C-O ** | **VCMU ** | RMU | BP | MP | LI | LI/FX | HI | PR | PS | O | |
| Residential Density | |||||||||||||||
| DensityRange(du/acre) | |||||||||||||||
| Minimum | - | - | - | - | - | 12.1 | 15.1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Maximum | - | - | - | - | - | 40 | 40 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Nonresidential BuildingIntensity | |||||||||||||||
| Maximum floor area ratio(FAR) |
1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 0.3 | 2.0 | 0.1 |
| Lot Dimensions | |||||||||||||||
| Lot Area, minimum (square feet) |
- | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Lot Width/Frontage, minimum |
- | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Generally | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Corner lots | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Lot Depth,minimum | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Setbacks | |||||||||||||||
| Front Yard | |||||||||||||||
| Generally | 25 ft |
25 ft |
25 ft |
25 ft |
25 ft | 0 ft | 5 ft | 25 ft | 25 ft | 25 ft |
25 ft | 25 ft |
10 ft | 25 ft | 25 ft |
| To coveredporch | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| To garage door, front facing |
- | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| To garage, swing/side load |
- | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Side Yard | |||||||||||||||
| Interior side, generally | 0 ft1 |
0 ft1 |
0 ft1 |
0 ft1 |
0 ft1 | 0 ft | 0 ft | 10 ft | 10 ft | 0 ft | 0 ft | 0 ft | 10 ft | 10 ft | 10 ft |
| Interior side, adjacent to residential and open space |
25 ft |
25 ft |
25 ft |
25 ft |
25 ft | 10 ft | 15 ft | - | - | - | 15 ft | - | 15 ft | 15 ft | - |
| Street side | 0 ft1 |
0 ft1 |
0 ft1 |
0 ft1 |
0 ft1 | 0 ft | 5 ft | 25 ft | 25 ft | 25 ft |
25 ft | 25 ft |
10 ft | 25 ft | 25 ft |
| Measurement/Zoning District |
Commercial Zoning Districts |
Commercial Zoning Districts |
Commercial Zoning Districts |
Commercial Zoning Districts |
Commercial Zoning Districts |
Commercial Zoning Districts |
Mixed Use | Mixed Use | Office Zoning Districts |
Office Zoning Districts |
Industrial Zoning Districts |
Industrial Zoning Districts |
Industrial Zoning Districts |
Public/Quasi- Public Zoning Districts |
Public/Quasi- Public Zoning Districts |
Public/Quasi- Public Zoning Districts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LC | GC | SC | AC | **C-O ** | **VCMU ** | RMU | BP | MP | LI | LI/FX | HI | PR | PS | O | ||
| Rear Yard | ||||||||||||||||
| Generally | 0 ft1 |
0 ft1 |
0 ft1 |
0 ft1 |
0 ft1 | 0 ft | 10 ft | 10 ft | 10 ft | 0 ft | 0 ft | 0 ft | 10 ft | 10 ft | 25 ft | |
| To living area, lots > 100 feet deep |
- | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| To living area, lots ≤ 100 feet deep |
- | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| To detached garage/secondary dwellingunit |
- | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Adjacent to residential and open space |
25 ft |
25 ft |
25 ft |
25 ft |
25 ft | 10 ft | 15 ft | - | - | - | 15 ft | - | 15 ft | 15 ft | - | |
| Height Limits | ||||||||||||||||
| Generally | 40 ft2 |
40 ft2 |
40 ft2 |
40 ft2 |
40 ft2 |
75 ft2 | 60 ft2 | 60 ft2 |
40 ft2 |
40 ft2 |
40 ft2 | 40 ft2 |
40 ft | 40 ft | 40 ft | |
| Buildings, or portions thereof, < 100 feet from agricultural, agricultural residential, residential, or open space zoning district |
20 ft2 |
20 ft2 |
20 ft2 |
20 ft2 |
20 ft | 40 ft2 | 40 ft2 | 24 ft2 |
24 ft2 |
24 ft2 |
24 ft2 | 24 ft2 |
24 ft2 |
24 ft2 |
24 ft2 |
|
| Buildings, or portions thereof, ≥ 500 feet from residential zoning district |
40 ft2 |
40 ft2 |
40 ft2 |
40 ft2 |
40 ft2 |
75 ft2 | 60 ft2 | 90 ft2 |
90 ft2 |
120 ft2 |
120 ft2 | 120 ft2 |
40 ft | 40 ft | 40 ft | |
| Other Development Standards | ||||||||||||||||
| Maximum lot coverage from structures |
- | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Accessorystructures | Refer to EGMC Chapter | 23.46 |
||||||||||||||
| Fences and walls | Refer to EGMC Chapter 23.52 |
|||||||||||||||
| Landscaping | Refer to EGMC Chapter 23.54 |
|||||||||||||||
| Lighting | Refer to EGMC Chapter 23.56 |
|||||||||||||||
| Parking | Refer to EGMC Chapter | 23.58 |
||||||||||||||
| Performance standards | Refer to EGMC Chapter | 23.60 |
||||||||||||||
| Signs | Refer to EGMC Chapter | 23.62 |
Notes:
When the building frontage along the applicable yard is greater than three hundred (300' 0") linear feet, the required setback shall be a minimum of twenty (20' 0") feet.
As part of the design review process, the maximum height may be increased to a height as determined by the designated approving authority; provided, that the intensity of the development is consistent with the General Plan and on-site improvements, including but not limited to architectural articulation, quality, and materials and landscaping, are provided to ensure, as determined by the approval authority, compatibility with the surrounding context and character of the project site.
[Ord. 13-2025 §3 (Exh. E), eff. 7-25-2025; Ord. 10-2022 §5, eff. 5-27-2022; Ord. 16-2021 §4 (Exh. B), eff. 9-10-2021; Ord. 28-2019 §3 (Exh. A), eff. 2-7-2020; Ord. 6-2019 §3 (Exh. A), eff. 4-26-2019; Ord. 242015 §11 (Exh. I), eff. 2-12-2016; Ord. 31-2014 §3 (Exh. A), eff. 2-13-2015; Ord. 23-2014 §3 (Exh. A), eff. 10-10-2014] Home Previous Next
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Ask AI about this code▸ Contents — Elk Grove Zoning Code
- Chapter 23.02 — PURPOSE OF TITLE 23
- Chapter 23.04 — TITLE 23 APPLICABILITY
- Chapter 23.10 — IDENTIFICATION AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF
- Chapter 23.12 — INTERPRETATION AND ENFORCEMENT OF TITLE 23
- Chapter 23.14 — GENERAL APPLICATION PROCESSING PROCEDURES
- Chapter 23.16 — PERMIT REQUIREMENTS
- Chapter 23.17 — STREAMLINED HOUSING APPROVALS
- Chapter 23.18 — IMPLEMENTATION, TIME LIMITS AND EXTENSIONS
- Chapter 23.20 — MODIFICATION AND REVOCATION
- Chapter 23.24 — ESTABLISHMENT OF ZONING DISTRICTS
- Chapter 23.26 — USE CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM
- Chapter 23.27 — ALLOWED USES AND REQUIRED ENTITLEMENTS
- Chapter 23.28 — AGRICULTURAL ZONING DISTRICTS (Repealed)
- Chapter 23.29 — DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS BY ZONING DISTRICT
- Chapter 23.30 — DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS FOR QUALIFYING RESIDENTI…
- Chapter 23.32 — COMMERCIAL ZONING DISTRICTS (Repealed)
- Chapter 23.34 — OFFICE ZONING DISTRICTS (Repealed)
- Chapter 23.36 — INDUSTRIAL ZONING DISTRICTS (Repealed)
- Chapter 23.38 — OPEN SPACE ZONING DISTRICT (Repealed)
- Chapter 23.40 — SPECIAL PURPOSE ZONING DISTRICTS
- Chapter 23.42 — OVERLAY/COMBINING DISTRICTS
- Chapter 23.46 — ACCESSORY STRUCTURES
- Chapter 23.47 — BILLBOARD SIGNS
- Chapter 23.48 — BUILDING HEIGHT MEASUREMENTS AND EXCEPTIONS
- Chapter 23.50 — DENSITY BONUS AND OTHER DEVELOPER INCENTIVES
- Chapter 23.52 — FENCES AND WALLS
- Chapter 23.54 — LANDSCAPING
- Chapter 23.56 — LIGHTING
- Chapter 23.60 — PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
- Chapter 23.61 — PRIVATE PARTY SIGNS ON CITY PROPERTY
- Chapter 23.62 — SIGNS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY
- Chapter 23.63 — UNDERGROUNDING OF UTILITIES
- Chapter 23.64 — YARD MEASUREMENTS AND PROJECTIONS
- Chapter 23.68 — ACCESSORY USES
- Chapter 23.70 — ADULT-ORIENTED BUSINESSES
- Chapter 23.72 — AUTOMOBILE FUELING STATIONS
- Chapter 23.74 — BIG-BOX RETAIL DESIGN STANDARDS
- Chapter 23.76 — CONDOMINIUM CONVERSION
- Chapter 23.78 — DRIVE-IN AND DRIVE-THROUGH FACILITY
- Chapter 23.80 — EMERGENCY SHELTERS
- Chapter 23.82 — HOME OCCUPATIONS
- Chapter 23.83 — INDOOR PERSONAL MARIJUANA CULTIVATION
- Chapter 23.84 — NONCONFORMING USES, BUILDINGS, AND STRUCTURES
- Chapter 23.85 — MOBILE FOOD VENDORS
- Chapter 23.86 — OUTDOOR SALES, DISPLAY, STORAGE, AND SEATING
- Chapter 23.88 — CARE FACILITIES
- Chapter 23.90 — ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS
- Chapter 23.92 — TEMPORARY USES
- Chapter 23.93 — URBAN CROP PRODUCTION
- Chapter 23.94 — WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES
- Chapter 23.98 — DEFINITIONS (Repealed)
- Chapter 23.100 — GENERAL DEFINITIONS