1500-02-050 - Common Measurements and Lot Lines
Sutter County Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · ingested 2026-07-07 · Sutter County
The following rules shall apply to the calculation of common measurements unless otherwise specified:
A.
General Rules
1.
Rounding of Fractions. Whenever the Zoning Code specifies distances, parking spaces, dwelling units, square feet, or other requirements in numerical quantities, the results of calculations containing a fraction of 0.5 or greater shall be rounded up to the nearest whole number, and fractions less than 0.5 shall be rounded down to the nearest whole number. Rounding provisions do not apply to minimum lot sizes, setbacks, building heights and other prescriptive development standards.
2.
Minimum Distance. When measuring a minimum distance, the measurement is made at the closest or shortest distance between the two specified locations (see Figure 1500-02-1).
==> picture [300 x 171] intentionally omitted <==
Figure 1500-02-1: Minimum Distance
3.
Horizontal Measurements. All horizontal distances are measured along a horizontal plane, and not measured following the topography of the land or other grade differentials (See Figure 1500-02-2).
==> picture [300 x 144] intentionally omitted <==
Figure 1500-02-2: Horizontal Distance
Measurements Involving a Structure. Measurements involving a structure are made to the closest support element of the structure (See Figure 1500-02-3).
==> picture [300 x 178] intentionally omitted <==
Figure 1500-02-3: Measurements Involving a Structure
5.
Vehicle Stacking and Travel Areas. Measurements for vehicle travel distances, such as stacking lanes, are measured at the centerline of the vehicle travel area (See Figure 1500-02-4).
==> picture [300 x 214] intentionally omitted <==
Figure 1500-02-4: Vehicle Stacking Distance
B.
Determining Specific Measurements
1.
Density. Is the number of dwelling units per gross acre. Allowed densities are assigned by the General Plan.
Lot Area, Gross. Is the area contained within the property lines of a lot, including up to the centerline of the street (See Figure 1500-02-5).
3.
Lot Area, Net. Is the area contained within the property lines of a lot, exclusive of public rights-of-way, canals, levees or other easements (See Figure 1500-02-5).
==> picture [300 x 341] intentionally omitted <==
Figure 1500-02-5: Lot Area
4.
Lot Width. Is the horizontal distance between side property lines, measured at the front setback line (See Figure 1500-02-6).
==> picture [300 x 174] intentionally omitted <==
Figure 1500-02-6: Lot Width
5.
Lot Coverage. Is the ratio of the total footprint area of all structures on a lot to the lot area, typically expressed as a percentage (See Figure 1500-02-7).
==> picture [300 x 201] intentionally omitted <==
Figure 1500-02-7: Lot Coverage
6.
Lot Frontage. Is the horizontal distance of a parcel contiguous with a street or street right-of-way, measured between side property lines. If a parcel has frontage on more than one street, the distance along one of the streets only may be used to calculate lot frontage. For lots located on the turnaround of a cul-de-sac, frontage is measured at the front setback line (See Figure 1500-02-8).
==> picture [300 x 169] intentionally omitted <==
Figure 1500-02-8: Lot Frontage
7.
Setback. Is the required distance that a building, structure, parking lot, or other designated feature must be located from the lot lines. Setbacks are measured as the horizontal distance between the nearest lot line and the closest point of the building, structure, parking lot or feature. Setback areas are also commonly referred to as 'yards" (See Figure 1500-02-9).
==> picture [240 x 228] intentionally omitted <==
Figure 1500-02-9: Setback
8.
Building Height. Is the vertical distance from the average level of the highest and lowest point of that portion of the lot covered by the building, to the highest point of the building roof, ridge, or parapet wall (See Figure 1500-02-10).
==> picture [300 x 159] intentionally omitted <==
Figure 1500-02-10: Building Height
C.
Determining Lot Lines
1.
Front Lot Line. Is the lot line separating a lot from a street right-of-way. The front lot line of a corner lot may face either street frontage, provided that the required rear yard setback is obtainable opposite from the designated front lot line (See Figure 1500-02-9). In cases where a lot does not have direct frontage on a street, the front lot line shall generally be the lot line that the primary facade of the building faces on, as determined by the Director.
2.
Rear Lot Line. Is that lot line, not intersecting a front lot line, which is most distant from and most closely parallel to the front lot line. If a rear lot line is less than ten (10) feet in length, or if the lot comes to a point at the rear, the rear lot line shall be deemed to be a ten (10) foot line parallel to the front lot line, lying wholly within the lot for the purposes of establishing the required minimum rear yard setback (See Figure 1500-029).
3.
Side Lot Line. Is any lot line that is not a front or rear lot line (See Figure 1500-02-9).