Mendocino County · Zoning · RMR
Mendocino County RMR zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Mendocino County's RMR zone, generally buildings can be up to 28 ft tall, the front setback is 50 ft and the minimum lot size is 20 acres, with the conditions listed below (Mendocino County code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 28 ft (non-Highly Scenic Areas and Highly Scenic Areas east of Highway One; above natural grade)
- Minimum front setback: 50 ft
- Minimum side setback: 50 ft
- Minimum rear setback: 50 ft
- Minimum lot size: 20 acres
- Maximum lot coverage: 20% (applies only to parcels under 2 acres; the minimum lot here is 20 acres, so the 10% row below usually applies)
- Maximum density: 1 unit per 20 acres (except as provided pursuant to Sections 20.456.015, 20.460.035, and 20.460.040)
RMR (Remote Residential District) is a zoning district in Mendocino County. Every value below was read from the Mendocino County Municipal Code and links to its section (read October 2026). State laws such as the ADU and SB 9 rules can allow more on a residential lot. General information, not legal advice — read the code text and check with the city before you build.
Development standards in RMR
The general rule for a typical lot in this zone. Zoning tables often attach notes, such as rules for corner lots, lots next to a residential zone, or new subdivisions only. Open “code text” under a value to see the table cell or sentence it was read from.
| Maximum building height | 28 ft Applies: non-Highly Scenic Areas and Highly Scenic Areas east of Highway One; above natural grade § 20.380.045 · code textTwenty-eight (28) feet above natural grade for non-Highly Scenic Areas and for Highly Scenic Areas east of Highway One. |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 50 ft § 20.380.030 · code textFifty (50) feet each. |
| Minimum side setback | 50 ft § 20.380.035 · code textFifty (50) feet each. |
| Minimum rear setback | 50 ft § 20.380.030 · code textFifty (50) feet each. |
| Minimum lot size | 20 acres § 20.380.020 · code text(A) RMR: Twenty (20) acres. |
| Maximum lot coverage | 20% Applies: applies only to parcels under 2 acres; the minimum lot here is 20 acres, so the 10% row below usually applies § 20.380.050 · code textTwenty (20) percent for parcels less than two (2) acres in size. |
| Maximum density | 1 unit per 20 acres Applies: except as provided pursuant to Sections 20.456.015, 20.460.035, and 20.460.040 § 20.380.025 · code text(A) RMR: One (1) unit per twenty (20) acres except as provided pursuant to Section 20.456.015 (Accessory Uses), Section 20.460.035 (Use of a Trailer Coach) and Section 20.460.040 (Family Care Unit). |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in RMR:
- Maximum building height: 18 ft — Highly Scenic Areas west of Highway One, unless an increase in height would not affect public views to the ocean or be out of character with surrounding structures; above natural grade § 20.380.045
- Maximum lot coverage: 15% — parcels from 2 acres to 5 acres in size § 20.380.050
- Maximum lot coverage: 10% — parcels over 5 acres in size § 20.380.050
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, FAR limit for RMR in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Mendocino County Municipal Code.
Other Mendocino County zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Mendocino County's RMR zone?
28 ft (non-Highly Scenic Areas and Highly Scenic Areas east of Highway One; above natural grade) — Mendocino County Municipal Code § 20.380.045.
What is the minimum front setback in Mendocino County's RMR zone?
50 ft — Mendocino County Municipal Code § 20.380.030.
What is the minimum side setback in Mendocino County's RMR zone?
50 ft — Mendocino County Municipal Code § 20.380.035.
What is the minimum rear setback in Mendocino County's RMR zone?
50 ft — Mendocino County Municipal Code § 20.380.030.
What is the minimum lot size in Mendocino County's RMR zone?
20 acres — Mendocino County Municipal Code § 20.380.020.
General information, not legal advice.
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