Building on your lot in Merced County

On a corner lot, fences, walls, hedges, or visual obstructions in the side yard adjacent to the street that exceed two feet, six inches above finished grade shall be set back a minimum of 16 feet from the face of curb.

No fence, wall, or hedge higher than two feet, six inches above the nearest roadway surface shall be installed or maintained within the sight distance triangles at public roadway intersections and private driveways.

At 15 feet or more from the property line | Fences and walls | 7′ – 0″

Other setback areas abutting a non-residential district | Open or solid fences, walls, hedges, and/or landscaping, as required by Landscape Standards, See Ch. 18.36 (Landscaping) | 7′ – 0″

Within front setbacks for the first 15 feet (except for sight distance area) | Open or solid fences, walls, hedges with vines and/or shrubs | 4′ – 0″

Fences and walls higher than seven feet require a Building Permit.

Accessory structures shall be limited to 15 feet in height.

No accessory structure shall exceed 600 square feet on a parcel less than one-quarter acre.

Accessory structures shall not occupy more than 15% of the rear yard; nor shall accessory structures plus the main structures on any site occupy more than the maximum parcel coverage as specified for the zone in which the parcel is located.

§ 18.12.030. Residential Zone Development Standards. A. Table 2-4 Residential Zone Development Standards. The intent of the residential zone development standards table is to clearly and precisely establish the basic site and structure regulations that apply to all developments in each of the residential zones. The table also indicates where additional site and structure requirements, including, but not limited to, off-street parking, landscaping, signing, fences and obstructions, and performance standards, apply to residential zones. B. Increased Setbacks Use Permits. The setbacks listed below may be increased for those uses requiring an Administrative or Conditional Use Permit when it is determined by the commission or director, as applicable, that increased setbacks are necessary to make the use compatible with surrounding properties and uses. C. Density. Maximum density standards shall be consistent with the General Plan or applicable community plan. D. Zoning Map. The boundaries, designations, and locations of the zones established by this Zoning Code shall be shown on the map(s) entitled "Zoning Map for Merced County" and referred to in this Zoning Code as the Zoning Map. Any additional maps (e.g., setback map) adopted shall also be a part of this Zoning Code by reference. This Zoning Code, together with the Zoning Map, is hereby adopted in compliance with current state planning, zoning, and development laws. Changes in the boundaries of any identified zones shall be made by ordinance in compliance with Chapter 18.142 (Amendments). Table 2-4 Residential Zone Development Standards | Development Feature (minimum unless otherwise indicated) | R-R (no public sewer/water) | R-R (with public sewer/water) | R-1 | R-1-5000 | R-2/R-3/R-4 | M-H | Additional Regulations | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Parcel Area (minimum square feet) area required for each NEWLY CREATED parcel. | Parcel Area (minimum square feet) area required for each NEWLY CREATED parcel. | Parcel Area (minimum square feet) area required for each NEWLY CREATED parcel. | Parcel Area (minimum square feet) area required for each NEWLY CREATED parcel. | Parcel Area (minimum square feet) area required for each NEWLY CREATED parcel. | Parcel Area (minimum square feet) area required for each NEWLY CREATED parcel. | Parcel Area (minimum square feet) area required for each NEWLY CREATED parcel. | Parcel Area (minimum square feet) area required for each NEWLY CREATED parcel. | | Interior Parcel | 1 net ac. | 14,520 | 6,000 | 5,000 | 6,000 | 4,000 | § 18.12.040A | | Corner Parcel | 1 net ac. | 14,520 | 6,400 | 6,000 | 6,400 | 4,500 | § 18.12.040A | | Parcels Shall Front a Publicly Maintained Street | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | § 18.12.040A | | Setbacks (minimum). Property lines are measured in feet, with those adjacent to the street measured from the face of the curb, adopted plan line, or edge of right-of-way. | Setbacks (minimum). Property lines are measured in feet, with those adjacent to the street measured from the face of the curb, adopted plan line, or edge of right-of-way. | Setbacks (minimum). Property lines are measured in feet, with those adjacent to the street measured from the face of the curb, adopted plan line, or edge of right-of-way. | Setbacks (minimum). Property lines are measured in feet, with those adjacent to the street measured from the face of the curb, adopted plan line, or edge of right-of-way. | Setbacks (minimum). Property lines are measured in feet, with those adjacent to the street measured from the face of the curb, adopted plan line, or edge of right-of-way. | Setbacks (minimum). Property lines are measured in feet, with those adjacent to the street measured from the face of the curb, adopted plan line, or edge of right-of-way. | Setbacks (minimum). Property lines are measured in feet, with those adjacent to the street measured from the face of the curb, adopted plan line, or edge of right-of-way. | Setbacks (minimum). Property lines are measured in feet, with those adjacent to the street measured from the face of the curb, adopted plan line, or edge of right-of-way. | | Front | 50 | 30 | 20- Garage 15- Livable Area | 20- Garage 15- Livable Area | 20 | 10 | § 18.12.040(A) & B | | Side (interior side) | 15 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 5/12 | 3 | § 18.12.040B | | Side (facing street) | 50 | 30 | 20 | 20- Garage 15- Livable Area | 20 | 10 | | | Rear | 25 | 20 | 10 | 10 | 15 | 10 | § 18.12.040B | | Parcel Depth, Width, and Coverage (maximum) area measured in feet | Parcel Depth, Width, and Coverage (maximum) area measured in feet | Parcel Depth, Width, and Coverage (maximum) area measured in feet | Parcel Depth, Width, and Coverage (maximum) area measured in feet | Parcel Depth, Width, and Coverage (maximum) area measured in feet | Parcel Depth, Width, and Coverage (maximum) area measured in feet | Parcel Depth, Width, and Coverage (maximum) area measured in feet | Parcel Depth, Width, and Coverage (maximum) area measured in feet | | Parcel Width at Front Parcel Line (interior parcel) | 125 | 80 | 60 | 50 | 60 | 40 | | | Parcel Width at Front Parcel Line (corner parcel) | 125 | 80 | 65 | 60 | 65 | 50 | | | Parcel Width at Front Parcel Line (cul-de-sac or bulb connection parcel) | 60 | 50 | 45 | 40 | 45 | 35 | | | Minimum Parcel Depth | None | None | 100 | None | 100 | 80 | | | Maximum Depth: Width Ratio | 3:1 | 3:1 | 3:1 | 3:1 | 3:1 | 3:1 | | | Maximum Structure Coverage (percentage) | 40 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 70 | 80 | | | Height (maximum) measured in feet | Height (maximum) measured in feet | Height (maximum) measured in feet | Height (maximum) measured in feet | Height (maximum) measured in feet | Height (maximum) measured in feet | Height (maximum) measured in feet | Height (maximum) measured in feet | | Height (main structure) | 35 | 30 | 30 | 30 | R-2:45 R-3:60 R-4:60 | 15 | | | Height (accessory structure) | 35 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | | | Additional Regulations | Additional Regulations | Additional Regulations | Additional Regulations | Additional Regulations | Additional Regulations | Additional Regulations | Additional Regulations | | Accessory Structures | Accessory Structures | Chapter 18.32 | Chapter 18.32 | Chapter 18.32 | | | | | Additional Dwelling Units | Additional Dwelling Units | Chapter 18.62 | Chapter 18.62 | Chapter 18.62 | | | | | Animal Confinement Facilities | Animal Confinement Facilities | Chapter 18.64 | Chapter 18.64 | Chapter 18.64 | | | | | Fences, Walls, and Hedges | Fences, Walls, and Hedges | Chapter 18.34 | Chapter 18.34 | Chapter 18.34 | | | | | Landscaping | Landscaping | Chapter 18.36 | Chapter 18.36 | Chapter 18.36 | | | | | Off-Street Parking Regulations and Design Standards | Off-Street Parking Regulations and Design Standards | Chapter 18.38 | Chapter 18.38 | Chapter 18.38 | | | | | Performance Standards | Performance Standards | Chapter 18.40 | Chapter 18.40 | Chapter 18.40 | | | | | Sign Regulations | Sign Regulations | Chapter 18.44 | Chapter 18.44 | Chapter 18.44 | | | | | Solid Waste and Recycling Materials Storage | Solid Waste and Recycling Materials Storage | Chapter 18.46 | Chapter 18.46 | Chapter 18.46 | | | | (Ord. 1976 § 2, 2019; Ord. 1990 § 1, 2020; Ord. 2039, 5/21/2024; Ord. 2062, 6/2/2026)

The minimum rear setback shall be five feet.

If the parcel is an interior parcel, the minimum setback shall be five feet.

decks, and platforms shall be located at least three feet from any rear or side property lines.

Space for the home occupation, including related storage, is limited to the lesser of 250 square feet or 25% of the living space.

Home occupations shall be operated by individuals that reside in the household, with the exception of one non-resident employee.

In zones where permitted, home occupations shall require review and approval of a Zoning Clearance subject to the following standards:

The following home occupations are prohibited in the county: 1. Beauty and barber shops; 2. Medical, dental, or chiropractic offices; 3. On-site vehicle repair, bodywork, and painting (including recreational vehicles); 4. Large appliance and machine repair; and 5. Contractor storage yard.

Storage is permitted outside a structure on a paved, graveled, or approved alternative material driveway, provided all of the following conditions exist:

The vehicle is stored at least three feet from side and rear property lines;

Storage is permitted in the front setback only when space is not accessible in the rear or side setback, or the parcel is not on a corner and has no reasonable access to either the side or rear setback;

Storage is permitted outside a structure on a paved, graveled, or approved alternative material driveway, provided all of the following conditions exist:

Recreational vehicles may be temporarily parked on public or private rights-of-way in front of residences for not more than 48 continuous hours.

A total of 48 hours must elapse before the start of a new 48-hour period, together with movement of the vehicle a distance of at least 500 feet.

Used for dwelling purposes, except for temporary residential use during the construction of a permanent dwelling with the approval of a temporary use permit (See Chapter 18.124 Temporary Use Permits).

The county of Merced building and safety division shall adopt an administrative, nondiscretionary expedited review process consisting of checklists for electric vehicle charging stations.

The applicant may submit the permit application and associated documentation to the Merced County building and safety division by personal, mailed, or electronic submittal together with any required permit processing and inspection fees.

Upon confirmation by the building official of the application and supporting documentation being complete and meeting the requirements of the checklist, the building official shall administratively approve the application and issue all required permits or authorizations.

The final plumbing, electrical, structural, pool barrier, alarms and mechanical inspections must be completed on all swimming pools prior to the application of the finished coat of plaster and/or filling the pool with water.

No person shall permit or suffer livestock to stray from private property owned by the owner or custodian of such livestock, or from private property to which such owner or custodian has a right of possession, except in the following situations: