Monterey County · Zoning · MDR
Monterey County MDR zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Monterey County's MDR zone, generally buildings can be up to 30 ft tall, the front setback is 20 ft and the minimum lot size is 6,000 sq ft, with the conditions listed below (Monterey County code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 30 ft (Main structures)
- Minimum front setback: 20 ft (Main structures)
- Minimum side setback: 5 ft (Main structures)
- Minimum rear setback: 10 ft (Main structures)
- Minimum lot size: 6,000 sq ft (for a site that may be created; condominium, planned unit development or similar clustered subdivisions can be approved otherwise)
- Maximum lot coverage: 35%
MDR (Medium Density Residential) 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 MDR
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 | 30 ft Applies: Main structures § 21.12.060 · code textb. Height. Maximum height: thirty (30) feet; |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 20 ft Applies: Main structures § 21.12.060 · code textFront: twenty (20) feet; |
| Minimum side setback | 5 ft Applies: Main structures § 21.12.060 · code textSide: five feet; |
| Minimum rear setback | 10 ft Applies: Main structures § 21.12.060 · code textRear: ten (10) feet. |
| Minimum lot size | 6,000 sq ft Applies: for a site that may be created; condominium, planned unit development or similar clustered subdivisions can be approved otherwise § 21.12.060 · code textThe minimum building site which may be created shall be six thousand (6,000) square feet unless otherwise approved as part of a condominium, planned unit development or similar clustered residential subdivision. |
| Maximum lot coverage | 35% § 21.12.060 · code textMaximum: thirty-five (35) percent. |
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, FAR, density limit for MDR 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 MDR zone?
30 ft (main structures) — Monterey County Municipal Code § 21.12.060.
What is the minimum front setback in Monterey County's MDR zone?
20 ft (main structures) — Monterey County Municipal Code § 21.12.060.
What is the minimum side setback in Monterey County's MDR zone?
5 ft (main structures) — Monterey County Municipal Code § 21.12.060.
What is the minimum rear setback in Monterey County's MDR zone?
10 ft (main structures) — Monterey County Municipal Code § 21.12.060.
What is the minimum lot size in Monterey County's MDR zone?
6,000 sq ft (for a site that may be created; condominium, planned unit development or similar clustered subdivisions can be approved otherwise) — Monterey County Municipal Code § 21.12.060.
General information, not legal advice.
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