Santa Cruz County · Zoning · M-3
Santa Cruz County M-3 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Santa Cruz County's M-3 zone, generally buildings can be up to 40 ft (3 stories) tall and the front setback is 20 ft, with the conditions listed below (Santa Cruz County code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 40 ft
- Maximum number of stories: 3 stories
- Minimum front setback: 20 ft (Except when pursuant to a mining permit.)
- Minimum side setback: 20 ft (Except when pursuant to a mining permit.)
- Minimum rear setback: 20 ft (Except when pursuant to a mining permit.)
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 1.0
M-3 is a zoning district in Santa Cruz County. Every value below was read from the Santa Cruz 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 M-3
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 | 40 ft § 13.10.343 · code textTable row “Maximum building height”, column “M-3”: 3 stories (40 feet) |
|---|---|
| Maximum number of stories | 3 stories § 13.10.343 · code textTable row “Maximum building height”, column “M-3”: 3 stories (40 feet) |
| Minimum front setback | 20 ft Applies: Except when pursuant to a mining permit. See note 4 below the table in the code. § 13.10.343 · code textTable row “Front yard setback (feet)”, column “M-3”: 20 4 Note 4: Except when pursuant to a mining permit. |
| Minimum side setback | 20 ft Applies: Except when pursuant to a mining permit. See note 4 below the table in the code. § 13.10.343 · code textTable row “Side yard setback (feet)”, column “M-3”: 20 4 Note 4: Except when pursuant to a mining permit. |
| Minimum rear setback | 20 ft Applies: Except when pursuant to a mining permit. See note 4 below the table in the code. § 13.10.343 · code textTable row “Rear yard setback (feet)”, column “M-3”: 20 4 Note 4: Except when pursuant to a mining permit. |
| Maximum floor area ratio (FAR) | 1.0 § 13.10.343 · code textTable row “Maximum floor area ratio (FAR)”, column “M-3”: 1.0 |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in M-3:
- Minimum front setback: 50 ft — parcels abutting residential or non-commercial agricultural zone districts; except as pursuant to a mining permit § 13.10.343
- Minimum side setback: 100 ft — parcels abutting residential or non-commercial agricultural zone districts; except as pursuant to a mining permit § 13.10.343
- Minimum rear setback: 100 ft — parcels abutting residential or non-commercial agricultural zone districts; except as pursuant to a mining permit § 13.10.343
Not on this page
We did not find a general lot size, lot coverage, density limit for M-3 in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Santa Cruz County Municipal Code.
Other Santa Cruz County zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Santa Cruz County's M-3 zone?
40 ft — Santa Cruz County Municipal Code § 13.10.343.
What is the maximum number of stories in Santa Cruz County's M-3 zone?
3 stories — Santa Cruz County Municipal Code § 13.10.343.
What is the minimum front setback in Santa Cruz County's M-3 zone?
20 ft (except when pursuant to a mining permit) — Santa Cruz County Municipal Code § 13.10.343.
What is the minimum side setback in Santa Cruz County's M-3 zone?
20 ft (except when pursuant to a mining permit) — Santa Cruz County Municipal Code § 13.10.343.
What is the minimum rear setback in Santa Cruz County's M-3 zone?
20 ft (except when pursuant to a mining permit) — Santa Cruz County Municipal Code § 13.10.343.
General information, not legal advice.
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