Chapter 28›Article II — DISTRICTS AND ALLOWABLE USES
Solano County Zoning Code § 28.31 Rural Residential (R-R) Districts
Solano County Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-09-24 · Solano County
Cite as: Solano County Zoning Code § 28.31 · Text as of 2026-09-24
Subdivisions:
28.31.10 Rural Residential Districts 28.31.11 Purposes of Rural Residential Districts 28.31.20 Rural Residential District Land Uses and Permit Requirements 28.31.30 Rural Residential District General Development Standards
28.31.10 Rural Residential Districts¶
This Section includes regulations for the RR-2.5, RR-5 and RR-10 zoning districts.
28.31.11 Purpose of Rural Residential Districts¶
This Section lists the uses of land that may be allowed within rural residential areas of the County represented by the Rural Residential (R-R) zoning districts. It also determines the type of land use approval required for each use within each district, and provides general standards for site development.
Rural Residential zoning is applied to areas appropriate for rural, low density, single-family homes, where agriculture is not the sole land use and commercial agricultural production capability is low, where self-sufficiency and privacy are desirable and only minimal essential public services and facilities are available. Homesites are to be self-sufficient, with individual wells and individual septic systems. Water may be supplied by a public water system, operated by a public agency, in areas where water from individual wells may be of marginal quantity or quality. Rural Residential is to be applied in a manner that preserves rural character and scenic qualities and protects sensitive resources including agricultural lands, creeks, native trees, open spaces and views. Rural Residential zoning shall not be applied to agricultural lands, or to areas with a high risk of wild
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fires, landslides, or flooding. Rural Residential zoning is consistent with and implements the Rural Residential land use designation of the General Plan. The three Rural Residential zoning districts are differentiated primarily by density classifications that correspond to potential agricultural productivity and the types of public services required for each district, as follows:
| District | Minimum Parcel Size |
Land Features | Services Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| R-R 2 1/2 | 2.5 acres | Non-productive | Public water supply and individual private sewage disposal systems |
| R-R 5 | 5 acres | Non-productive | Private water wells and individual private sewage disposal systems |
| R-R 10 | 10 acres | Low capability for agricultural production |
Private water wells and individual private sewage disposal systems |
28.31.20 Rural Residential District Land Uses and Permit Requirements¶
A. Allowed Uses and Permit Requirements:
Table 28-31A identifies the land uses allowed by this Zoning Ordinance in each rural residential district and the land use permit required to establish each use. In addition to the land use permit required by Table 28-31A, special requirements may apply to certain uses.
B. Architectural Review:
Architectural Approval may be required for certain uses in compliance with Section 28.102 (Architectural Approval).
C. Building Permits:
A building permit shall be required prior to any construction.
D. Special Use Regulations:
Where the last column in Table 28.31A (“Land Use Regulations”) includes a section number, e.g. 28.70.10, the zoning regulations in the referenced section apply to the use. Where the last column includes a chapter number, e.g. Chapter 13.6, the regulations in the referenced Solano County Code apply to the use. Provisions in other sections of this Zoning Ordinance may also apply.
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TABLE 28.31A TABLE OF ALLOWED USES
| TABLE 28.31A TABLE OF ALLOWED USES | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A = Allowed by right, AP = Administrative Permit, MUP = Minor Use Permit, UP = Use Permit, E = Exempt, - - - = Prohibited |
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| ALLOWED USES* *See Definitions Section 28.01 |
Permitted Uses | Land Use Regulations** **See Section 28.70.10 |
||
| RR-2.5 | RR-5 | RR-10 | ||
| 28.71 AGRICULTURAL USES | ||||
| A. CROP PRODUCTION AND GRAZING |
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| Cultivated and irrigated farming | A | A | A | 28.71.10(B)(1) |
| Nonirrigated and noncultivated farming | A | A | A | 28.71.10(B)(1) |
| B. AGRICULTURAL PROCESSING USES |
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| None allowed | - - - | - - - | - - - | |
| C. ANIMAL FACILITIES AND OPERATIONS |
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| None allowed | - - - | - - - | - - - | |
| D. OTHER AGRICULTURAL OPERATIONS |
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| None allowed | - - - | - - - | - - - | |
| 28.72 RESIDENTIAL USES | ||||
| A. DWELLINGS |
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| Accessory buildings and uses(1) | ||||
| Accessory building greater than 2,500 square feet in size(4) |
MUP | MUP | MUP | 28.72.30(B)(1) |
| Accessory buildings, in aggregate: 1) greater than 2,500 square feet in size combined on a lot 4 acres or less; or 2) greater than 5,000 square feet in size combined on a lot greater than 4 acres(2) |
MUP | MUP | MUP | 28.72.30(B)(1) |
| Accessory dwelling unit | A | A | A | 28.72.10(A) & (B)(2) |
| Guest house | A | A | A | 28.72.30(B)(1) |
| Primary dwelling | A | A | A | 28.72.10(A) |
| Rooming and boarding of not more than 3 persons per dwelling unit |
A | A | A | 28.72.10(A) |
| Transitional Housing/ Housing(4) |
A | A | A | |
| Cannabis Cultivation – Adult Use (Recreational) |
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| Personal Indoor | A | A | A | 28.82 |
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TABLE 28.31A TABLE OF ALLOWED USES (Continued)
| TABLE 28.31A TABLE OF ALLOWED USES (Continued) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A = Allowed by right, AP = Administrative Permit, MUP = Minor Use Permit, UP = Use Permit, E = Exempt, - - - = Prohibited |
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| ALLOWED USES* *See Definitions Section 28.01 |
Permitted Uses | Land Use Regulations** **See Section 28.70.10 |
||
| RR-2.5 | RR-5 | RR-10 | ||
| Personal Outdoor | - - - | - - - | - - - | 28.82 |
| Cannabis Cultivation – Medicinal | ||||
| Caregiver Indoor | AP | AP | AP | 28.82 |
| Caregiver Outdoor | - - - | - - - | - - - | 28.82 |
| Personal Indoor | A | A | A | 28.82 |
| Personal Outdoor | - - - | - - - | - - - | Unless Exception Request Granted per 28.82 |
| B. TEMPORARY DWELLINGS |
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| Temporary manufactured home storage | AP | AP | AP | 28.72.20(B)(4) |
| Temporary occupancy of existing dwelling while replacement dwelling is under construction |
A | A | A | 28.72.20(B)(5) |
| Temporary single-family dwelling(3) | MUP | MUP | MUP | 28.72.20(B)(6) |
| C. ANIMAL FACILITIES INCIDENTAL TO A RESIDENCE |
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| Grazing or keeping of animals other than hogs, not exceeding two animal units per net acre of ownership |
A | A | A | 28.72.30(A) & (B)(3) |
| Hog raising | A | A | A | 28.72.30(A) & (B)(3) |
| Small animal husbandry | A | A | A | 28.72.30(A) & (B)(3) |
| Kennel or cattery, small | MUP | MUP | MUP | 28.72.30(A) & (B)(3) |
| Stable, private | A | A | A | 28.72.30(A) & (B)(3) |
| D. HOME OCCUPATIONS, COTTAGE INDUSTRIES, HOSTED RENTALS AND OTHER COMMERCIAL USES OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY |
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| Cottage industry | ||||
| Type I | MUP | MUP | MUP | 28.72.40(A) & (B)(1) |
| Type II | UP | UP | UP | 28.72.40(A) & (B)(1) |
| Home occupation | ||||
| Type I | A | A | A | 28.72.40(A) & (B)(2) |
| Type II | AP | AP | AP | 28.72.40(A) & (B)(2) |
| Hosted rental | AP | AP | AP | 28.72.40(A) & (B)(5) |
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TABLE 28.31A TABLE OF ALLOWED USES (Continued)
| TABLE 28.31A TABLE OF ALLOWED USES (Continued) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A = Allowed by right, AP = Administrative Permit, MUP = Minor Use Permit, UP = Use Permit, E = Exempt, - - - = Prohibited |
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| ALLOWED USES* *See Definitions Section 28.01 |
Permitted Uses | Land Use Regulations** **See Section 28.70.10 |
||
| RR-2.5 | RR-5 | RR-10 | ||
| Temporary subdivision sales office | MUP | MUP | MUP | 28.72.40(A) & (B)(4) |
| 28.73 RECREATION, EDUCATION AND PUBLIC ASSEMBLY USES | ||||
| A. RECREATION USES |
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| None allowed | - - - | - - - | - - - | |
| B. EDUCATION USES |
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| None allowed | - - - | - - - | - - - | |
| C. PUBLIC ASSEMBLY USES |
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| Church | MUP | MUP | MUP | 28.73.30(A) & (B)(1) |
| Nursery school | MUP | MUP | MUP | 28.73.30(A) |
| Nursing home, rest home | MUP | MUP | MUP | 28.73.30(A) |
| Public stable with horse show | MUP | MUP | MUP | 28.73.30(A) & (B)(5) |
| 28.74 RETAIL AND OFFICE USES | ||||
| A. RETAIL USES |
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| Bulk storage and sales of hay crops other than those produced on the premises |
MUP | MUP | MUP | 28.74.10(A) |
| Farm stand | ||||
| 1,000 square feet or less in size | A | A | A | 28.74.10(A) & (B)(8) |
| Between 1,000 and 2,500 square feet | AP | AP | AP | |
| Greater than 2,500 square feet | - - - | - - - | - - - | |
| B. OFFICE USES |
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| None allowed | - - - | - - - | - - - | |
| 28.75 TOURIST USES | ||||
| A. AGRITOURISM |
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| Vacation house rental | - - - | - - - | - - - | |
| B. TEMPORARY AGRITOURISM |
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| None allowed | - - - | - - - | - - - | |
| 28.76 COMMERCIAL SERVICE USES | ||||
| A. AGRICULTURAL SERVICES |
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| None allowed | - - - | - - - | - - - |
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TABLE 28.31A TABLE OF ALLOWED USES (Continued)
| TABLE 28.31A TABLE OF ALLOWED USES (Continued) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A = Allowed by right, AP = Administrative Permit, MUP = Minor Use Permit, UP = Use Permit, E = Exempt, - - - = Prohibited |
||||
| ALLOWED USES* *See Definitions Section 28.01 |
Permitted Uses | Land Use Regulations** **See Section 28.70.10 |
||
| RR-2.5 | RR-5 | RR-10 | ||
| B. COMMERCIAL SERVICES |
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| Kennel or cattery, large | MUP | MUP | MUP | 28.76.20(A) & (B)(2) |
| 28.77 INDUSTRIAL, MANUFACTURING, PROCESSING AND WHOLESALE USES | ||||
| A. INDUSTRIAL, MANUFACTURING AND PROCESSING USES |
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| None allowed | - - - | - - - | - - - | |
| B. WHOLESALE USES |
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| None allowed | - - - | - - - | - - - | |
| 28.78 COMMUNICATION, INFRASTRUCTURE AND PUBLIC SERVICE USES | ||||
| A. COMMUNICATION USES |
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| Wireless communication facility | ||||
| Co-location | MUP | MUP | MUP | |
| New tower | UP | UP | UP | |
| B. INFRASTRUCTURE USES |
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| Battery energy storage system | - - - | - - - | - - - | |
| Commercial solar energy facility | - - - | - - - | - - - | |
| Commercial wind turbine generator | - - - | - - - | - - - | |
| Noncommercial wind turbine | 28.80 | |||
| 100 feet or less in height | A | A | A | 28.80 |
| Over 100 feet in height | MUP | MUP | MUP | 28.80 |
| Oil or gas well | UP | UP | UP | 28.78.20(A) & (B)(7) |
| Pipeline, transmission or distribution line in R.O.W. |
A | A | A | 28.78.20(A) & (B)(8) |
| Utility facilities or infrastructure, outside of R.O.W. |
UP | UP | UP | 28.78.20(A) & (B)(9) |
| C. TEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION AND INFRASTRUCTURE |
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| Meteorological tower, 100 feet or less in height |
AP | AP | AP | 28.78.20(A) & (B)(6) |
| Meteorological tower, greater than 100 feet in height |
MUP | MUP | MUP | 28.78.20(A) & (B)(6) |
| D. PUBLIC SERVICE USES |
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| Cemetery | UP | UP | UP | 28.78.30(A) & (B)(1) |
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TABLE 28.31A TABLE OF ALLOWED USES (Continued)
| TABLE 28.31A TABLE OF ALLOWED USES (Continued) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A = Allowed by right, AP = Administrative Permit, MUP = Minor Use Permit, UP = Use Permit, E = Exempt, - - - = Prohibited |
||||
| ALLOWED USES* *See Definitions Section 28.01 |
Permitted Uses | Land Use Regulations** **See Section 28.70.10 |
||
| RR-2.5 | RR-5 | RR-10 | ||
| Community care facility | UP | UP | UP | 28.78.30(A) & (B)(2) |
| Hospital or sanitarium | UP | UP | UP | 28.78.30(A) & (B)(3) |
| Public service facility | UP | UP | UP | 28.78.30(A) & (B)(4) |
| 28.79 RESOURCE PROTECTION USES | ||||
| None allowed | - - - | - - - | - - - |
Notes:
(1) Residential accessory building:
a) Does not include a guest house.
b) May not be established prior to construction or installation of a primary dwelling on the same property.
(2) Use permit approval is required by the Zoning Administrator only, unless otherwise referred to the Planning Commission by the Zoning Administrator. Aggregate square footage shall include all accessory buildings, except as follows:
a) Any structure used for the keeping of animals, such as a stable or corral, or for crop storage, which is unenclosed with an open side and no flooring, shall not require a use permit and shall not be counted as part of the aggregate total for accessory buildings.
b) Any structure 120 square feet in size or less and exempt from the permit requirements of County Building Code shall not be counted as part of the aggregate total for accessory buildings.
(3) Allowed only when the primary dwelling is under construction, and the temporary dwelling is installed on a temporary foundation.
(4) These land uses are subject to the same restrictions on residential uses contained in the same type of structure.
(Ord. No. 1757, §3 (Exh. A); Ord. No. 1764, §6 (Exh. D); Ord. No. 1788, §2 (Att. A); Ord. No. 1794, §6; Ord. No. 1798, §4; Ord. No. 1817, §9; Ord. No. 1821, §5; Ord. No. 1840, §12; Ord. No. 1845, §§19, 20; Ord. No. 1860, §5; Ord. No. 1864, §5; Ord. No. 1867, §4)
28.31.30 Rural Residential Districts General Development Standards¶
- A. General site and building standards. Subdivisions, new land uses, main buildings inclusive of primary dwellings, accessory dwelling units, and alterations to existing land uses and buildings shall be designed, constructed, and/or established in compliance with the applicable development standards delineated or referenced in Table 28.23B.
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TABLE 28.31B Development Standards for Main Building[(1)] and Accessory Dwelling Unit
| TABLE 28.31B Development Standards for Main Building(1) and Accessory Dwelling Unit |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Development Feature | Requirement by Zoning District | ||
| R-R 2-1/2 | R-R 5 | R-R 10 | |
| Minimum Lot Area(2) | Minimum area required for new lots | ||
| 2-1/2 acres | 5 acres | 10 acres | |
| Minimum Lot Frontage Lot (typical) Flag lot or cul-de-sac(3) |
Minimum frontage required for new lots | ||
| 40 feet | 40 feet | 40 feet | |
| 30 feet | 30 feet | 30 feet | |
| Dwelling Size Primary dwelling Accessory dwelling unit |
Minimum or maximum gross floor area for new dwelling | ||
| 1,000 square feet minimum | |||
| See Section 28.72.10(B)(2) | |||
| Setbacks(4) Front Sides (each) Rear |
Minimum setbacks required. See Section 28-97 for setback measurement, allowed projections into setbacks, and exceptions. |
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| 30 feet, and 50 feet from the street centerline, unless otherwise indicated by building lines on the Zoning Map. |
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| 10 feet | |||
| 25 feet | |||
| Between structures(5) | 10 feet | ||
| Height limit | Maximum allowed height of structures. See also: Sect. 28- 80 (wind turbine generators), Sect. 28-93 (height exceptions), and Sect. 28-99 (Airport Flight Obstruction Areas) |
||
| 35 feet | |||
| Parking | As required by Section 28-94 (“Parking Requirements”) and Section 28-102 (“Architectural Approval”) |
||
| Signs | See Section 28.96 (“Signs”) |
Notes:
- (1) In any R district, the primary dwelling shall be deemed the main building on the building site.
(2) The following may be used to determine acceptable lot area:
a) The actual number of lots allowed is determined through the applicable subdivision process, based on specific site characteristics and potential environmental impacts, and there is no guarantee that the maximum possible number may be achieved.
b) The area bounded by the centerline of the right-of-way on which the lot fronts, and the lot sidelines extended to such right-of-way centerline may be included in the computation of the minimum lot area requirement.
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c) Reduced lot area may be allowed for specific uses with a use permit, see Section 28.92(C)(6).
(3) For flag lot requirements, see Subdivision Ordinance Section 26-72.2. The required minimum lot frontage for a flag lot shall be measured along the access strip frontage, and no flag lot shall have an access strip less than 30 feet or more than 40 feet in width at any point.
(4) Other setbacks may be required for specific uses listed in Table 28-31A, as referenced.
(5) Other separation between structures may be required by County Building Code.
- B. Accessory buildings and structures. New accessory buildings and other structures, including alterations to existing accessory buildings and other structures, shall be designed, constructed, and/or established in compliance with the applicable development standards in Table 28-23C.
| TABLE 28-31C Development Standards for Accessory Buildings(1) |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Development Feature |
Requirement by Zoning District | ||
| R-R 2-1/2 | R-R 5 | R-R 10 | |
| Setbacks(2) Attached Detached Front Side (each)(3) Rear |
Minimum setbacks required. See Section 28-93 for setback measurement, allowed projections into setbacks, and exceptions. See also: Section 28- 72.10B1 (Regulations for accessory buildings) |
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| An accessory building attached to the main building shall comply with the setback requirements for the main building. |
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| 60 feet or on the rear 50% of the lot, 60 feet for private stables | |||
| 10 feet, 20 feet for private stables | |||
| 10 feet, 20 feet for private stables | |||
| Between structures(4) | 10 feet from any dwelling or other main building on the same lot Stables: 20 feet from any dwelling or other main building on the same lot |
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| Height limit | Maximum allowed height of structures. See also: Sect. 28-93 (height exceptions), and Sect. 28.99 (Airport Flight Obstruction Areas) |
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| 35 feet, and as allowed by 28-93 Special regulations | |||
| Parking | As required by Section 28-94 (“Parking Requirements”) and Section 28-102 (“Architectural Approval”) |
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| Signs | See Section 28.96 (“Signs”) |
Notes:
(1) Does not include an accessory dwelling unit as defined in Section 28.01.
(2) Other setbacks may be required for specific uses listed in Table 28-31A, as referenced.
(3) Reserved.
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(4) Other separation between structures may be required by County Building Code.
- (Ord. No. 1793, §2; Ord. No. 1817, §§10 – 12; Ord. No. 1840, §§13, 14)
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