Monterey County · Zoning · AC (CZ)
Monterey County AC (CZ) zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Monterey County's AC (CZ) zone, generally buildings can be up to 35 ft tall, the front setback is 30 ft and the minimum lot size is 40 acres, with the conditions listed below (Monterey County code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 35 ft (Main structures)
- Minimum front setback: 30 ft (Main structures)
- Minimum side setback: 20 ft (Main structures)
- Minimum rear setback: 20 ft (Main structures)
- Minimum lot size: 40 acres (Unless approved as part of a clustered residential development.)
- Maximum lot coverage: 3%
- Maximum density: 2 single-family dwellings (or equivalent) per parcel of 40 or more acres
AC (CZ) (Agricultural Conservation (Coastal Zone)) is a zoning district in Monterey County. Every value below was read from the Monterey 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 AC (CZ)
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 | 35 ft Applies: Main structures § 20.32.060 · code textMaximum Height: Thirty-five (35) feet |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 30 ft Applies: Main structures § 20.32.060 · code textFront: Thirty (30) feet |
| Minimum side setback | 20 ft Applies: Main structures § 20.32.060 · code textSide: Twenty (20) feet |
| Minimum rear setback | 20 ft Applies: Main structures § 20.32.060 · code textRear: Twenty (20) feet |
| Minimum lot size | 40 acres Applies: Unless approved as part of a clustered residential development. § 20.32.060 · code textA. Minimum Building Site. The minimum building site shall be forty (40) acres unless otherwise approved as part of a clustered residential development. |
| Maximum lot coverage | 3% § 20.32.060 · code textBuilding Site Coverage, Maximum: Three percent |
| Maximum density | 2 single-family dwellings (or equivalent) per parcel of 40 or more acres § 20.32.060 · code textB. Development Density, Maximum. The maximum gross development density shall not exceed two single family dwellings or equivalent per parcel of forty (40) or more acres pursuant to Section 20.144.080.D.11 of this Title. |
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, FAR limit for AC (CZ) in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Monterey County Municipal Code.
Other Monterey County zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Monterey County's AC (CZ) zone?
35 ft (main structures) — Monterey County Municipal Code § 20.32.060.
What is the minimum front setback in Monterey County's AC (CZ) zone?
30 ft (main structures) — Monterey County Municipal Code § 20.32.060.
What is the minimum side setback in Monterey County's AC (CZ) zone?
20 ft (main structures) — Monterey County Municipal Code § 20.32.060.
What is the minimum rear setback in Monterey County's AC (CZ) zone?
20 ft (main structures) — Monterey County Municipal Code § 20.32.060.
What is the minimum lot size in Monterey County's AC (CZ) zone?
40 acres (unless approved as part of a clustered residential development) — Monterey County Municipal Code § 20.32.060.
General information, not legal advice.
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