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Monterey County · Zoning · WSC (CZ)

Monterey County WSC (CZ) zoning: height, setbacks and lot size

In Monterey County's WSC (CZ) zone, generally buildings can be up to 24 ft tall, the front setback is 30 ft and the minimum lot size is 1 acre, with the conditions listed below (Monterey County code, read October 2026).

Key points

  • Maximum building height: 24 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: 1 acre (For clustering purposes only)
  • Maximum lot coverage: 10%

WSC (CZ) (Watershed and Scenic Conservation Residential Zoning Districts) 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 WSC (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
24 ft
Applies: Main structures
§ 20.17.060 · code text
Maximum Height: Twenty-four (24) feet
Minimum front setback
30 ft
Applies: Main structures
§ 20.17.060 · code text
Front: Thirty (30) feet
Minimum side setback
20 ft
Applies: Main structures
§ 20.17.060 · code text
Side: Twenty (20) feet
Minimum rear setback
20 ft
Applies: Main structures
§ 20.17.060 · code text
Rear: Twenty (20) feet
Minimum lot size
1 acre
Applies: For clustering purposes only
§ 20.17.060 · code text
For clustering purposes only, the minimum building site area shall not be less than one acre.
Maximum lot coverage
10%
§ 20.17.060 · code text
Building Site Coverage, Maximum: Ten (10) percent

Not on this page

We did not find a general stories, FAR, density limit for WSC (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

HomeownersArchitects and designersDevelopersReal estate agents

Frequently asked questions

What is the maximum building height in Monterey County's WSC (CZ) zone?

24 ft (main structures) — Monterey County Municipal Code § 20.17.060.

What is the minimum front setback in Monterey County's WSC (CZ) zone?

30 ft (main structures) — Monterey County Municipal Code § 20.17.060.

What is the minimum side setback in Monterey County's WSC (CZ) zone?

20 ft (main structures) — Monterey County Municipal Code § 20.17.060.

What is the minimum rear setback in Monterey County's WSC (CZ) zone?

20 ft (main structures) — Monterey County Municipal Code § 20.17.060.

What is the minimum lot size in Monterey County's WSC (CZ) zone?

1 acre (for clustering purposes only) — Monterey County Municipal Code § 20.17.060.

General information, not legal advice.

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