Morro Bay · Zoning · RS-A
Morro Bay RS-A zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Morro Bay's RS-A zone, generally buildings can be up to 25 ft tall and the front setback is 10 ft, with the conditions listed below (Morro Bay code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 25 ft (west of Highway 1 and north of No Name Creek, no structure part except vents and chimneys above 50 ft elevation)
- Minimum front setback: 10 ft (2,500 sq ft or less)
- Minimum side setback: 3 ft (2,500 sq ft or less)
- Minimum rear setback: 5 ft (2,500 sq ft or less)
- Maximum lot coverage: 50% (2,500 sq ft or less)
- Maximum density: 7.0 units/acre (or as allowed for SB 9 related development under 17.07.030 A)
RS-A is a zoning district in Morro Bay. Every value below was read from the Morro Bay 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 RS-A
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 | 25 ft Applies: west of Highway 1 and north of No Name Creek, no structure part except vents and chimneys above 50 ft elevation § 17.07.030 · code textTable row “Maximum Building Height (ft)”, column “Lot Size (square feet)”: 25 For parcels west of Highway 1 and north of No Name Creek, no portion of any structure except vents and chimneys may extend above the 50 foot elevation above sea level |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 10 ft Applies: 2,500 sq ft or less § 17.07.030 · code textTable row “Front”, column “Lot Size (square feet)”: 10 |
| Minimum side setback | 3 ft Applies: 2,500 sq ft or less § 17.07.030 · code textTable row “Interior Side”, column “Lot Size (square feet)”: 3 |
| Minimum rear setback | 5 ft Applies: 2,500 sq ft or less § 17.07.030 · code textTable row “Rear”, column “Lot Size (square feet)”: 5 |
| Maximum lot coverage | 50% Applies: 2,500 sq ft or less § 17.07.030 · code textTable row “Maximum Lot Coverage (% of lot)”, column “Lot Size (square feet)”: 50 |
| Maximum density | 7.0 units/acre Applies: or as allowed for SB 9 related development under 17.07.030 A § 17.07.030 · code textTable row “Maximum Density (units/acre)”, column “Lot Size (square feet)”: 7.0; or as allowed for SB 9 related development pursuant to 17.07.030 A |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in RS-A:
- Minimum front setback: 15 ft — 2,501 to 4,300 sq ft § 17.07.030
- Minimum front setback: 20 ft — 4,301 sq ft and greater § 17.07.030
- Minimum side setback: 10% of lot width, max 5 ft — 2,501 to 4,300 sq ft § 17.07.030
- Minimum side setback: 5 ft — 4,301 sq ft and greater § 17.07.030
- Minimum rear setback: 10 ft — 4,301 sq ft and greater § 17.07.030
- Maximum lot coverage: 45% — 4,301 sq ft and greater § 17.07.030
- Maximum density: 2 dwelling units per lot — SB 9 development in the RS and RL districts that meets the standards in subsection A; the two units include any accessory dwelling units § 17.07.030
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, lot size, FAR limit for RS-A in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Morro Bay Municipal Code.
Other Morro Bay zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Morro Bay's RS-A zone?
25 ft (west of Highway 1 and north of No Name Creek, no structure part except vents and chimneys above 50 ft elevation) — Morro Bay Municipal Code § 17.07.030.
What is the minimum front setback in Morro Bay's RS-A zone?
10 ft (2,500 sq ft or less) — Morro Bay Municipal Code § 17.07.030.
What is the minimum side setback in Morro Bay's RS-A zone?
3 ft (2,500 sq ft or less) — Morro Bay Municipal Code § 17.07.030.
What is the minimum rear setback in Morro Bay's RS-A zone?
5 ft (2,500 sq ft or less) — Morro Bay Municipal Code § 17.07.030.
What is the maximum lot coverage in Morro Bay's RS-A zone?
50% (2,500 sq ft or less) — Morro Bay Municipal Code § 17.07.030.
General information, not legal advice.
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