Local zoning · Citrus Heights

Citrus Heights — Development Standards

Q: What are typical lot coverage and FAR limits?

Residential districts use lot coverage caps (e.g., 30% in lower‑density RD zones, 50–60% in higher RD zones) and nonresidential/center districts use FAR caps (e.g., BP FAR 0.50 , LC/SC/GC FAR 0.60 ) — these figures are in Table 2‑4 and Table 2‑6 respectively; always check the exact table row and footnotes .

Q: Do overlays or SPAs change these standards?

Yes. Overlay districts and Special Planning Areas (SPA) can add or replace base zone standards; SPAs require findings and must be read for project‑specific standards (see § 106.28.030 and individual SPA sections such as § 106.50.080 ) .

Q: Where do I find parking and landscaping rules that affect site design?

Parking and loading standards are in Chapter 106.36 (see the City’s parking guidance) and landscaping standards are in Chapter 106.34 (see landscaping and screening ); those chapters are cross‑referenced from the district tables and must be satisfied with your site plan .

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

Ask a question free See coverage

Last reviewed: July 1, 2026

Overview

This page explains the Citrus Heights Zoning Code rules that directly control development standards — setbacks, heights, lot coverage, floor-area ratio (FAR), and density — as applied across the City's zoning districts and overlays. It interprets the City of Citrus Heights Zoning Code (Title 106 of the Citrus Heights Municipal Code) and points you to the controlling code sections so you can verify parcel‑specific limits. See the City's rules for related topics like parking, design review, overlay districts, ADUs, signs, and landscaping and screening for requirements that commonly interact with development standards.

Notes on sources: all numeric standards below are drawn from the City's Zoning Code tables and the development standards/measurement sections; text cites the controlling code sections (the § references) and the retrieved ordinance files (file citations are included after each controlling §).

How this Code is organized (short primer)

The development standards (setbacks, height measurement and exceptions, lot coverage, FAR, density) are set in the Code's Article 2 tables for each zoning district and are measured/applied using the rules in the Site Planning/Standards chapters. Setback measurement and exceptions are in § 106.30.100; height measurement and exceptions are in § 106.30.060; general commercial/industrial development rules are in § 106.26.040. See those sections in the Citrus Heights Zoning Code for the controlling text .

District-by-district development standards (decision‑relevant summary)

Each district subsection below gives: purpose/typical uses, then the key dimensional standards most applicants check first (front/side/rear setbacks, lot coverage or max FAR, and height). All setback measurement rules are subject to § 106.30.100 and height measurement rules to § 106.30.060 . For complete permitted‑use lists and permit types use Article 2 (the zoning district tables) as the definitive source.

Residential districts (Table 2‑4)

Typical purpose: low‑ to medium‑density housing and limited open space/park uses; site design controls protect residential character. See Table 2‑4 (Residential and Open Space District Development Standards) for the full table .
RD‑1, RD‑2, RD‑3, RD‑4
- Typical uses: single‑family and small multi‑unit residential where allowed by the specific zone (see Table 2‑4) .
- Key standards: Front setback 20 ft, Side (each) 5 ft, Rear 25 ft (RD‑1/2; RD‑3/4 vary as shown in Table 2‑4), Maximum lot coverage 30%, FAR 0.40, Maximum height 30 ft. See Table 2‑4 and height/setback measurement rules in § 106.30.100 and § 106.30.060 .
RD‑5, RD‑7
- Typical uses: slightly smaller setbacks for certain infill/mid‑lot configurations.
- Key standards: Front setback 15 ft (garages may have specific rules), Side (each) 5 ft, Maximum lot coverage 40%, FAR 0.40. See Table 2‑4 .
RD‑10, RD‑15
- Typical uses: medium density multiunit residential; subject to additional multi‑unit height rules (see § 106.42.150).
- Key standards: Lot coverage 50%, FAR 0.50, heights commonly up to 40 ft (Table 2‑4 & special height rules) .
RD‑20, RD‑25, RD‑30
- Typical uses: higher density multi‑family and mixed forms.
- Key standards: Lot coverage 60%, FAR 0.50, heights up to 50 ft (Table 2‑4) .
MH (Mobile Home) and O (Open Space)
- Standards differ (smaller setbacks for MH, minimal development in O). See Table 2‑4 for exact figures .

(Full numeric table is reproduced below for quick reference.)

Commercial/Office districts (Table 2‑6)

Purpose: commercial offices, retail, general commercial. See § 106.26.040 for the general development standards that govern these districts .
Districts: BP (Business & Professional Office), LC (Limited Commercial), SC (Shopping Center), GC (General Commercial).
Typical standards (Table 2‑6):
- Front setbacks: BP 25 ft, LC 20 ft, SC 20 ft, GC 20 ft.
- Side (each): typically 20–25 ft (varies by district).
- Rear: 25 ft (typical).
- Maximum FAR: BP 0.50, LC 0.60, SC 0.60, GC 0.60.
- Maximum height: where adjacent to residential lower heights apply; typical caps include 24 ft and 2 stories within 50 ft of a residential zone, 50 ft (4 stories) elsewhere (see § 106.26.040 and § 106.30.060) .

Auto Commercial / Recreation / Industrial‑Office Park (Table 2‑7)

Districts: AC (Auto Commercial), CR (Commercial Recreation), MP (Industrial/Office Park). See Table 2‑7 for metrics .
Decision‑relevant highlights: AC maximum density 20 units/acre (if residential allowed), CR prohibits dwellings (except lodging rules), MP generally has larger setbacks and higher height (up to 50 ft). Front setbacks and FARs vary by district; see Table 2‑7 for full values and notes about when setbacks are required (often only when adjacent to residential/open space) .

Special Planning Areas (SPA) and Specific SPAs (e.g., Civic Center, Antelope Crossing, Greenback Woods)

The SPA zoning district allows project‑specific development standards adopted in that SPA ordinance; SPA projects must still meet findings and be consistent with design guidelines. See § 106.28.030 for SPA rules and the individual SPA sections (e.g., Civic Center SPA § 106.50.080 / Antelope Crossing standards) .
For these areas, the SPA ordinance typically specifies maximum FAR (commonly 0.6), specific height limits (e.g., 24 ft within 50 ft of residential; 50 ft elsewhere for Antelope Crossing), and special setback/landscaping/parking rules that override or refine Article 2 standards .

Quick reference table — selected, decision‑relevant numeric standards

District	Front setback	Side (interior)	Rear setback	Max lot coverage / FAR	Max height	Code reference
RD‑1 / RD‑2 / RD‑3 / RD‑4	20 ft	5 ft (each)	25 ft (RD‑1/2)	30% coverage / FAR 0.40	30 ft	Table 2‑4; § 106.30.100, § 106.30.060
RD‑5 / RD‑7	15 ft	5 ft	20 ft	40% / FAR 0.40	Varies	Table 2‑4
RD‑10 / RD‑15	Varies	Varies	20 ft typical	50% / FAR 0.50	~40 ft (see §)	Table 2‑4; § 106.42.150 for multi‑unit height rules
BP	25 ft	20 ft	25 ft	FAR 0.50	24 ft within 50 ft of residential; 50 ft elsewhere	Table 2‑6; § 106.26.040
LC / SC / GC	20–20 ft	25 ft	25 ft	FAR 0.60 (LC/SC/GC)	Varies by proximity to residential	Table 2‑6; § 106.26.040
MP	25 ft	20–50 ft	20–50 ft	FAR up to 0.50	50 ft common	Table 2‑7

Always confirm the complete table row and any footnotes: many setback requirements are conditional (for example, some setbacks are required only when adjacent to a residential or open space zone) — see § 106.30.100 and the footnotes to Tables 2‑4/2‑6/2‑7 .

Practical guidance / interpretation points

Setback measurement and exceptions: setbacks are measured and exceptions applied per § 106.30.100; note the Code allows the review authority to reduce or eliminate front/side‑corner setbacks to allow building placement at the back of sidewalk or to create pedestrian space, but reductions may not be used to bring parking closer to the street (see § 106.30.100 and table notes) .
Height measurement and exceptions: height is measured from the lowest finished grade point on the structure to the highest point on the structure; artificially raising finished grade to increase height is prohibited (§ 106.30.060) . The Code also contains special height provisions for multi‑unit projects (see § 106.42.150) .
Lot coverage vs FAR: the Code uses lot coverage caps in many residential zones (percentage of net lot area) and FAR caps in some nonresidential districts — both apply as specified in the district tables; where both apply the most restrictive rule or the specific table rule governs (see cross‑references in Article 2 and § 106.26.040) .
Design review and site design standards: many commercial walls/fences and larger projects require design review; for example, commercial walls visible from a right‑of‑way are subject to Design Review (§ 106.30.050) .
Overlays and SPAs: overlay districts and SPAs can add or modify development standards that sit on top of the base zone (see § 106.28.010–.040 and SPA sections like § 106.50.080 for the Civic Center SPA) — always check the Zoning Map and overlay symbols for your parcel and read the SPA ordinance for project‑level standards .
Landscaping, parking and signs: these are controlled by separate chapters but interact directly with development standards — see the Code chapters on landscaping (Chapter 106.34), parking (Chapter 106.36), and signs (Chapter 106.38) for project requirements referenced from district tables .

Checklist — what an applicant must show to meet Citrus Heights development standards

Identify the parcel's base zoning district on the Zoning Map and confirm any overlay/SPAs (verify against Section § 106.20.020 / overlay mapping) .
Demonstrate compliance with the district table (setbacks, lot coverage, FAR, density, height) in the applicable Table 2‑4/2‑6/2‑7 row(s) and cite the table in application materials (see Article 2 tables) .
Show setback calculations using § 106.30.100 measurement rules and apply any relevant exceptions or notes (e.g., setback required only adjacent to residential/open space) .
Provide height calculations using § 106.30.060 methodology and show whether any height exceptions or step‑backs apply .
Show compliance with parking and loading standards (Chapter 106.36) and include parking layout if required; reference parking .
Provide landscape plans meeting Chapter 106.34; reference landscaping and screening .
Note any required design review approvals (for specific walls, commercial facades, or SPA projects) and budget for that timeline; cite § 106.30.050 where applicable .
If your lot sits in an overlay or SPA, include a SPA/overlay compliance checklist (see § 106.28.020–.040 and the applicable SPA section) .
For accessory dwelling units also consider State ADU rules; the City's zoning must be applied consistent with State law — see California ADU law and local ADU policy (verify local ADU section — not located in retrieved materials) .

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
Existing recorded setbacks or specific‑plan entitlements	Approved subdivisions or specific plans can impose different setbacks than Article 2 tables	Check the parcel’s recorded subdivision map, specific plan, or prior entitlement; confirm whether infill setbacks apply per § 106.30.100
Setback footnotes that condition requirements on adjacency	Many table setbacks apply only when adjacent to residential/open space (footnotes)	Confirm adjacency triggers in Table 2‑4/2‑6/2‑7 and apply § 106.30.100 measurement rules
SPA or overlay-specific modifications	SPA ordinances can fully replace Article 2 standards for that project	Review the SPA ordinance text (e.g., Civic Center SPA § 106.50.080) and plan-level findings in § 106.28.030
ADU rules vs local lot coverage/FAR	State ADU law limits what local zoning can require for accessory units (size/setbacks)	Confirm local ADU implementing section (if any) and apply State ADU statutes (see California ADU law); local ADU implementation was Not found in retrieved materials — Verify with the jurisdiction
Height measurement edge cases (site slope, lowest finished grade)	Slope or grading changes affect measured height and may trigger exceptions	Provide site sections and confirm measurement per § 106.30.060; verify that artificial fill is not used to gain allowable height

Plain-English summary

Citrus Heights controls how big and where you can build through district tables (Article 2) that set front/side/rear setbacks, lot coverage/FAR, maximum height, and density — and those numbers are measured and interpreted by the setback rules in § 106.30.100 and the height rules in § 106.30.060. If your lot sits in an overlay or SPA those rules often add or change the base numbers; always check the Zoning Map, the specific table row, and the measurement sections before you design. See the Code chapters on parking, signage, and landscaping and screening for other requirements that interact with these development standards .

Source References

Citrus Heights Zoning Code — Setback Requirements and Exceptions, § 106.30.100 .
Citrus Heights Zoning Code — Height Limits and Exceptions, § 106.30.060 .
Citrus Heights Zoning Code — Commercial & Industrial District General Development Standards, § 106.26.040 (Tables 2‑6 and associated standards) .
Table 2‑4 (Residential and Open Space District Development Standards) — numeric setbacks, lot coverage, FAR, heights (Article 2 tables) .
Table 2‑6 (BP/LC/SC/GC District Development Standards) and Table 2‑7 (AC/CR/MP District Development Standards) — numeric standards and footnotes .
Chapter on Overlays and SPAs, including SPA rules § 106.28.030 and COR/SPA descriptions; specific SPA examples (Civic Center SPA § 106.50.080, Antelope Crossing SPA) .
Design, fences, and wall standards including Design Review triggers — § 106.30.050 (fences/walls) .
State ADU / accessory unit summaries (for context on ADUs and state constraints) — 2025 California ADU handbook summary (state law considerations) .

Sources

Retrieved passages

Citrus Heights Zoning Code High relevance
Citrus Heights Zoning Code (Chapter 106.25) High relevance
Citrus Heights Zoning Code High relevance
CBC § 66314 (§ 66314) High relevance
Citrus Heights Zoning Code (Section 16A.52) High relevance
Citrus Heights Zoning Code (Section can) High relevance
Citrus Heights Zoning Code (Article 2.) High relevance
Citrus Heights Zoning Code (Article may) High relevance

Cited sections

Official Citrus Heights code library

Frequently asked questions

What can I build on an R‑1 lot in Citrus Heights?

R‑1 parcels are governed by the RD residential tables; typical R‑1 rules (in Table 2‑4) require 20 ft front setback, 5 ft side yards, 25 ft rear, maximum lot coverage ~30%, and maximum height ~30 ft as shown in Table 2‑4; measure setbacks per § 106.30.100 and heights per § 106.30.060 .

What are Citrus Heights setback requirements?

Setbacks are set in the Article 2 district tables (e.g., Table 2‑4 and Table 2‑6) and are measured and applied under § 106.30.100 (Setback Requirements and Exceptions). Many front/side/rear distances are in those tables; note some setbacks apply only when adjacent to residential or open space (check the table footnotes) .

How does Citrus Heights measure building height?

The City measures height from the lowest point of the structure at finished grade to the highest point of the structure; artificially raising grade to increase height is prohibited. See § 106.30.060 for the full measurement and exceptions rules .

What are typical lot coverage and FAR limits?

Residential districts use lot coverage caps (e.g., 30% in lower‑density RD zones, 50–60% in higher RD zones) and nonresidential/center districts use FAR caps (e.g., BP FAR 0.50, LC/SC/GC FAR 0.60) — these figures are in Table 2‑4 and Table 2‑6 respectively; always check the exact table row and footnotes .

Do overlays or SPAs change these standards?

Yes. Overlay districts and Special Planning Areas (SPA) can add or replace base zone standards; SPAs require findings and must be read for project‑specific standards (see § 106.28.030 and individual SPA sections such as § 106.50.080) .

Will design review affect setbacks or walls?

Design Review is required for certain elements (for example, walls and fences within commercial zones visible from a public right‑of‑way are subject to Design Review per § 106.30.050); design review can affect allowable wall height, materials, and placement even when base setbacks apply .

Can I build an ADU that violates local lot coverage/FAR rules?

State ADU laws restrict how local jurisdictions regulate ADU size, setbacks, and lot coverage. Local ADU implementation must comply with State requirements. The City’s specific ADU implementing section is not found in the retrieved materials here; verify local ADU rules and how they interact with the district tables and State law .

What if my property has a prior subdivision or specific‑plan entitlement?

If the City previously established specific setbacks through a specific plan or subdivision map, those recorded setbacks apply to continuing development instead of Article 2 default setbacks per § 106.30.100; always check recorded entitlements and approved plans .

Where do I find parking and landscaping rules that affect site design?

Parking and loading standards are in Chapter 106.36 (see the City’s parking guidance) and landscaping standards are in Chapter 106.34 (see landscaping and screening); those chapters are cross‑referenced from the district tables and must be satisfied with your site plan .

Ask about any Citrus Heights property

Get a cited, plain-English answer on Citrus Heights zoning, setbacks, FAR, ADUs and permits — for any address.

Start Free Trial