Local zoning · Buellton

Buellton — Development Standards

Development Standards under the Buellton local zoning and planning code, with the controlling citations.

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Last reviewed: July 1, 2026

Overview

Buellton’s development standards live in Title 19 Zoning of the Municipal Code and control what can be built, how big, how tall, and where on the lot. The rules are district-specific (e.g., RS, RM, CN, CR, CS, M, PRD, MHP) and are supplemented by measurement, landscaping, and parking provisions in Chapter 19.04. Some corridors and overlays (e.g., Avenue of Flags height flexibility, Affordable Housing Opportunity Zones) can adjust base standards; always confirm any overlay on your parcel. See the Buellton Zoning and Buellton Land Use pages for how zoning maps and land-use designations relate to these rules.

How Buellton organizes development standards

  • Title 19 sets base district standards and points you to how setbacks and height are measured (§§ 19.04.160, 19.04.110).
  • Residential district standards appear in § 19.02.120 (RS, RM, PRD, MHP), including typical setbacks, height and coverage.
  • Commercial/industrial district standards appear in § 19.02.220 (CN, CR, CS, M).
  • Mixed-use standards are centralized in § 19.18.018–.028, which apply the base zone’s metrics and add mixed-use-specific tables.
  • Landscaping, parking/loading, and measurement of setbacks/height live in Chapter 19.04 and apply citywide; see Buellton Landscaping and Screening, Buellton Parking, and Buellton Design Review for process and submittal expectations.

Quick-reference table of core dimensional standards

These are the most decision-relevant base metrics. Where a district has different rules for mixed-use, those are noted separately.

District Front Side Rear Height Lot Coverage / Notes Code Reference
RS (Single-Family Residential) 20 ft 10% of lot width; 5 ft min; 10 ft max required 25 ft (15 ft if rear abuts access-denied street) 30 ft on lots <20,000 sf; 35 ft on lots ≥20,000 sf No maximum lot coverage § 19.02.120(A)
RM (Multifamily Residential) 10 ft 10 ft 10 ft 35 ft 30% for dwellings; 40% open space § 19.02.120(A)
PRD (Planned Residential Development) By development plan By development plan By development plan 25 ft max 30% dwellings; 50% all buildings §§ 19.02.120(A), 19.02.130(F)(1)
MHP (Mobilehome Park) Park: 20 ft; Site: 10 ft Park: 15 ft; Site: 5 ft (10 ft to drives) Park: 15 ft; Site: 10 ft Not specified in retrieved table 60% of individual mobilehome lot § 19.06.120(B)(1)
CN (Neighborhood Commercial) 10 ft None required (per § 19.04.160) None required (per § 19.04.160) 35 ft max 40% max site coverage; 5,000 sf max per establishment § 19.02.220(A)–(B)
CR (General Commercial) – General (non-mixed-use) None required None required; 3 ft min if setbacks proposed 10% of lot depth (10 ft max); 25 ft min when adjacent to residential; 50 ft for shopping center next to residential Not specified in § 19.02.220 table; variable height up to 45 ft on Avenue of Flags with DP No max site coverage in table § 19.02.220(A), (F)
CR (General Commercial) – Mixed-Use 1st: 15 ft; 2nd: 15–20 ft (25–40% at 15 ft); 3rd: 20–25 ft (25–40% at 20 ft) None; add 0.5 ft per ft of height if adjoining R‑1 10 ft; add 0.5 ft per ft of height if adjoining R‑1 (10 ft min) 30 ft 60% site coverage § 19.18.018(D)
CS (Service Commercial) – Mixed-Use 10 ft None; add 0.5 ft per ft of height if adjoining R‑1 10 ft; add 0.5 ft per ft of height if adjoining R‑1 (10 ft min) 40 ft 60% site coverage § 19.18.018(E)
M (Industrial) – General 20 ft (front) 10 ft min street side; none otherwise 50 ft min adjacent to residential; none otherwise 45 ft max 50% max site coverage § 19.02.220(A)
M (Industrial) – Mixed-Use (live-work only) 10 ft None; add 0.5 ft per ft of height if adjoining R‑1 10 ft; add 0.5 ft per ft of height if adjoining R‑1 (10 ft min) 45 ft 60% site coverage; residential in M limited to live/work work/live units §§ 19.18.018(F), 19.18.026

Notes:

  • Setback and height measurement rules (encroachments, projections) are defined in § 19.04.160 and § 19.04.110. For example, certain architectural features may go to 50 ft in height in all zones as exceptions; vision clearance on corners is also prescribed.
  • Where “interior” building separation is listed as “none unless required by the California Building Code,” coordinate building spacing with the California Building Standards Code while still meeting zoning setbacks. Mixed-use district tables use this phrasing.

District-by-district standards and guidance

RS — Single-Family Residential

  • Purpose and uses: Reserved for detached single-family living at low densities. Typical use is a single-family residence with customary accessory uses; ADUs are a common accessory housing form.
  • Key dimensional rules: Front 20 ft, side 10% of lot width (5 ft min, 10 ft max), rear 25 ft (15 ft if rear abuts a street with access denied). Height is 30 ft on lots under 20,000 sf and 35 ft on larger lots; no maximum lot coverage.
  • Subdivision lot sizes: Suffixes (e.g., RS-6, RS-7) set minimum net lot areas such as 6,500 sf (RS‑6) up to 40,000 sf (RS‑40).
  • Where it applies: RS-mapped neighborhoods throughout Buellton.

RM — Multifamily Residential

  • Purpose and uses: Provides for duplexes, apartments, and condos at mapped densities (RM-4 through RM-16).
  • Key dimensional rules: Front 10 ft, side 10 ft, rear 10 ft; 35 ft height; 30% lot coverage for dwellings and 40% open space.
  • Density: The RM suffix sets max dwellings per gross acre (e.g., RM‑12 = 12 du/ac).
  • Where it applies: RM-mapped sites; multifamily infill may be processed by zoning clearance where projects meet strict criteria and base standards.

PRD — Planned Residential Development

  • Purpose and uses: Flexible residential district to cluster buildings and preserve open space; densities per the General Plan.
  • Key dimensional rules: No standard setbacks; they’re set through the development plan to protect site resources and ensure compatibility. Height is listed 25 ft in the general table; verify in your development plan. Parking must meet § 19.04.140 standards and be screened.
  • Where it applies: Sites rezoned to PRD with required findings and design review consistency.

MHP — Mobilehome Park

  • Purpose and uses: Mobilehome parks with internal lots and shared facilities.
  • Key dimensional rules: Park perimeter setbacks 20/15/15 ft (front/side/rear). Internal mobilehome site setbacks 10/5/10 ft (front/side/rear) with 10 ft spacing between units; 60% max coverage per mobilehome lot; 7 units per gross acre standard density (up to 8 with single-wide option).
  • Where it applies: MHP developments per § 19.06.120.

CN — Neighborhood Commercial

  • Purpose and uses: Neighborhood-serving retail/services with small tenant spaces.
  • Key dimensional rules: Front 10 ft, sides/rear generally “none required” (see § 19.04.160), 35 ft height, 40% site coverage, and 5,000 sf max tenant floor area per establishment. Landscaping minimums apply (e.g., ≥5% of net lot area).
  • Where it applies: CN nodes throughout the city.

CR — General Commercial

  • Purpose and uses: General retail/commercial corridors, including Avenue of Flags and Highway 246 segments.
  • General (non–mixed-use) standards: No front setback required; sides “none required” (3 ft min if proposing setbacks); rear is 10% of lot depth to 10 ft max, with 25 ft min next to residential, and 50 ft for a shopping center next to residential. The district table does not state a single height maximum, but a variable height up to 45 ft may be allowed along Avenue of Flags with development plan approval, accounting for topography.
  • Mixed-use standards: If developed as mixed-use, front yards are stepped by story (e.g., first floor 15 ft, second 15–20 ft, third 20–25 ft with fractional frontage requirements), 30 ft height, and 60% site coverage; add extra setback if abutting R‑1.
  • Where it applies: CR-mapped corridors; confirm Avenue of Flags frontage for height flexibility.

CS — Service Commercial

  • Purpose and uses: Service/commercial uses serving the community and visitors; live/work may be the only residential in CS when part of mixed-use.
  • Mixed-use standards: Front 10 ft, sides/rear 10 ft with additional buffer when adjoining R‑1; 40 ft height; 60% coverage.
  • General (non–mixed-use) CS side/rear setbacks: Not found in retrieved materials for § 19.02.220; verify with the jurisdiction.
  • Where it applies: CS-mapped areas (e.g., highway-serving corridors).

M — Industrial

  • Purpose and uses: Industrial/manufacturing with performance standards (e.g., noise, odor, vibration limits).
  • General standards: Front 20 ft; 10 ft street side, none otherwise on sides; rear 50 ft next to residential (none otherwise); 45 ft height; 50% max site coverage; landscaping minimums (≥10% of net lot area and perimeter planting bands).
  • Mixed-use/live-work: Residential limited to live-work/work-live units; mixed-use standards set front 10 ft, 45 ft height, 60% coverage; extra setback if abutting R‑1.
  • Where it applies: M-mapped employment areas.

Special Purpose Zones — REC, OS, PQP

  • Purpose summaries are provided in § 19.02.300 (recreation, open space, public/quasi-public). Numeric setbacks/height standards were not found in the retrieved materials for these districts; verify with the jurisdiction.

Mixed-use projects: how standards apply

  • Base rules: Mixed-use projects must comply with the development standards of the primary use (base zone) and the mixed-use tables in § 19.18.018; the “primary use” must occupy ≥50% of floor area.
  • Parking: Establish base parking per § 19.04.142; a project near a city-owned lot within 500 ft can request up to a 25% reduction through development plan approval, with a fee per space and a floor of at least one space per residential unit. See Buellton Parking.
  • Live/work limits: In CS and M, residential in mixed-use is restricted to live-work/work-live units (see § 19.18.026).

Area-specific and overlay notes

  • Avenue of Flags variable height: In CN or CR with Avenue of Flags frontage, max building height can be increased to 45 ft via development plan, considering grade changes along the corridor. Coordinate early with Buellton Design Review.
  • AHOZ Sites (Affordable Housing Opportunity Zones): Density may be computed on the site’s gross area for certain AHOZ frontages (Avenue of Flags/Highway 246), while minimums for inclusionary purposes are based on Net Buildable Area exclusive of the commercial portion. Projects must still meet underlying zone development standards (height, lot coverage, setbacks). Streamlined processing is available up to 25 du/ac by zoning clearance on CR or RM sites; above that typically requires development plan approval; conditional use permits apply for RS, CS, OS, M AHOZ sites. See Buellton Overlay Districts.

Other citywide rules that affect your site plan

What’s not in the Buellton code (from retrieved materials)

  • Floor Area Ratio (FAR): Not found in retrieved materials. Where floor area is limited, it’s by per-tenant maximum (e.g., 5,000 sf in CN) rather than FAR.

Checklist

  • Confirm your parcel’s base district on the zoning map (RS, RM, PRD, MHP, CN, CR, CS, M) on the Buellton Zoning page.
  • Identify any overlay or corridor condition (Avenue of Flags, AHOZ) on Buellton Overlay Districts that could modify height/density/processing.
  • Apply base setbacks, height, lot coverage, open space, and density caps from §§ 19.02.120 (residential) or § 19.02.220 (commercial/industrial).
  • For mixed-use, verify primary use share (≥50%), the mixed-use tables for your zone, and any live/work limits in CS or M (see §§ 19.18.018–.028).
  • Use § 19.04.160 and § 19.04.110 to measure setbacks/height and understand allowed encroachments.
  • Meet parking and loading under §§ 19.04.140–.144, including any mixed-use parking reductions in § 19.18.020.
  • Provide landscaping per § 19.04.120 and any screening/wall requirements at residential interfaces.
  • If PRD, prepare a development plan that sets tailored setbacks and open space consistent with § 19.02.130.
  • If in CN/CR along Avenue of Flags, coordinate height up to 45 ft through development plan.
  • If nonconforming or seeking relief, see Buellton Nonconforming Uses and Buellton Variances and Exceptions.

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue Why it matters What to verify
CR height cap varies by context Mixed-use CR shows a 30 ft cap, but general § 19.02.220 doesn’t state a single cap; Avenue of Flags may go to 45 ft with DP Whether your project is mixed-use and whether it fronts Avenue of Flags; applicable height section and approvals.
CS general side/rear setbacks incomplete in retrieved table Affects site layout and building envelope Obtain the full § 19.02.220 CS column or confirm with Planning. Not found in retrieved materials.
PRD has no fixed setbacks Setbacks are set by development plan and can change with design Early design coordination and design review for approval under § 19.02.130(F).
AHOZ density basis and processing AHOZ can compute maximum density on gross area and offers streamlined processing Whether your site is an AHOZ and which underlying zone’s standards apply; confirm minimum vs. maximum density bases.
Interior building separation Some mixed-use tables say “none unless required by building code” Coordinate zoning setbacks with California Building Standards Code life-safety separations.
FAR not specified Applicants sometimes expect FAR caps; Buellton uses setbacks, height, coverage, and in CN a per-tenant size cap Use lot coverage and height instead; don’t assume an FAR standard applies.

Plain-English Summary

In Buellton, what you can build is basically set by your zoning district. Single-family lots (RS) have larger front and rear yards; multifamily (RM) has tighter setbacks but a 35 ft height and a 40% open-space requirement. Commercial and industrial zones set front yard depths, height limits, and coverage, and they get stricter next to homes. Mixed-use projects follow the base zone plus special mixed-use tables, with live/work-only residential in CS and M. Avenue of Flags sites in CN/CR can sometimes go up to 45 ft. Measure setbacks and height the way Chapter 19.04 says, and don’t forget landscaping and parking.

Source References

  • Title 19 Zoning; applicability and relationship to Chapter 19.02 standards (§ 19.01.020, § 19.02.040)
  • Residential zone standards (§ 19.02.120), RM density table and RS lot sizes (§ 19.02.120(B), (C))
  • PRD zoning standards (§ 19.02.130)
  • Commercial/industrial standards (§ 19.02.220), CN tenant-size limit and M performance standards; Avenue of Flags variable height (§ 19.02.220(B), (D), (F))
  • Mixed-use standards and allowed mix of uses (§§ 19.18.018–.028), live/work limitation in CS/M (§ 19.18.026)
  • Mixed-use parking reductions (§ 19.18.020)
  • Mobilehome parks (§ 19.06.120)
  • Setback requirements and measurement (§ 19.04.160) and height exceptions (§ 19.04.110)
  • Landscaping requirements (§ 19.04.120)
  • AHOZ provisions (density basis, processing) (AHOZ excerpts)

Information Gaps

  • CS general (non–mixed-use) side and rear setbacks were not found in the retrieved § 19.02.220 excerpt. Verify with the jurisdiction.
  • Special Purpose districts (REC, OS, PQP) numeric dimensional standards were not found in retrieved materials.
  • No citywide Floor Area Ratio (FAR) standards were found in retrieved materials.

Sources

Retrieved passages

  • CBC § 022 High relevance
  • CBC § 3 (§ 3) High relevance
  • Buellton Zoning Code (section and) High relevance
  • Buellton Zoning Code High relevance
  • CBC § 3 (§ 3) High relevance
  • Buellton Zoning Code (§ 19.02.110) High relevance
  • Buellton Zoning Code (§ 19.02.120) High relevance
  • Buellton Zoning Code (title for) High relevance
  • CBC § 19.02.210 (§ 19.02.210) High relevance
  • Buellton Zoning Code High relevance
  • Buellton Zoning Code (Chapter 3.) High relevance

Cited sections

Frequently asked questions

What can I build on an RS lot in Buellton?

The RS district is for single-family homes. The typical envelope is a front setback of 20 ft, side yards equal to 10% of lot width (min 5 ft, max 10 ft), and a 25 ft rear yard (15 ft if the rear abuts a street with access denied). Height is 30–35 ft depending on lot size, and there’s no lot coverage cap. See § 19.02.120.

What are the standard setbacks and height in RM multifamily?

In RM, the front setback is 10 ft, sides 10 ft, and rear 10 ft, with a 35 ft height limit. RM also requires 40% of the net site as open space and caps dwelling density by the RM suffix (e.g., RM‑12 = 12 units/acre). See § 19.02.120 and the RM density table.

How tall can I build on Avenue of Flags?

If your site is zoned CN or CR and fronts Avenue of Flags, height can be increased up to 45 ft on a case-by-case basis with development plan approval, considering the corridor’s grade changes. See § 19.02.220(F).

Do commercial sites in CR have required yards?

Generally, CR has no required front setback and “none required” side yards (3 ft min if you propose one). The rear must be at least 10% of lot depth up to 10 ft, with 25 ft minimum when adjacent to residential and 50 ft for a shopping center next to residential. Mixed-use CR has different stepped front yard rules. See § 19.02.220(A) and § 19.18.018(D).

Can I do mixed-use in CS or M zones?

Yes, but residential is limited to live-work/work-live units in CS and M. Mixed-use projects must meet the base zone standards and the mixed-use tables (e.g., front 10 ft, added setbacks next to R‑1). See §§ 19.18.018–.026.

Is FAR used in Buellton to size buildings?

No FAR cap is shown in the retrieved code. Instead, Buellton controls bulk through setbacks, height, and site coverage; in CN it also caps individual tenant spaces at 5,000 sf. Not found in retrieved materials for a general FAR. See § 19.02.220(B).

How do I measure setbacks and what can encroach?

Use § 19.04.160 for measuring yards and allowed projections (e.g., porches, eaves). Height exceptions (e.g., spires, chimneys up to 50 ft) are in § 19.04.110; corner-lot vision clearance is also addressed.

What if my multifamily infill is small and code-conforming?

Certain RM infill projects that meet CEQA categorical exemptions and conform to base standards may be approved by zoning clearance rather than a development plan; larger or more complex proposals go to development plan. See § 19.02.120(E).

Do AHOZ sites change how density is calculated?

On certain AHOZ frontages (Avenue of Flags/Highway 246), the maximum density may be based on gross site area, while minimums for inclusionary purposes are based on Net Buildable Area. Projects must still meet underlying zone development standards. See AHOZ provisions.

What landscaping is required for commercial and industrial sites?

In CN/CR/CS, at least 5% of the net lot area must be landscaped, and street-facing setback areas must be landscaped. In M, at least 10% must be landscaped with specific perimeter bands and walls next to residential/commercial. See § 19.04.120.

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