Santa Cruz County · Zoning · RF
Santa Cruz County RF zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Santa Cruz County's RF zone, buildings can be up to 40 ft (3 stories) tall and the front setback is 10 ft (Santa Cruz County code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 40 ft
- Maximum number of stories: 3 stories
- Minimum front setback: 10 ft
- Minimum side setback: 5 ft each side
- Minimum rear setback: 15 ft
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 1.1 (less than 30 du/acre)
- Maximum density: 45 dwelling units per acre
RF (Residential Flex) 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 RF
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 § 13.10.323 · code textTable row “Maximum building height”, column “Special standards for RF”: 40 |
|---|---|
| Maximum number of stories | 3 stories § 13.10.323 · code textTable row “Maximum number of stories”, column “Special standards for RF”: 3 |
| Minimum front setback | 10 ft § 13.10.323 · code textTable row “Front yard setback (feet)”, column “Special standards for RF”: 10 |
| Minimum side setback | 5 ft each side § 13.10.323 · code textTable row “Side yard setbacks—interior (feet)”, column “Special standards for RF”: 5 & 5 |
| Minimum rear setback | 15 ft § 13.10.323 · code textTable row “Rear yard setback (feet)”, column “Special standards for RF”: 15 |
| Maximum floor area ratio (FAR) | 1.1 Applies: less than 30 du/acre § 13.10.323 · code textTable row “Maximum floor area ratio (FAR) 3”, column “Special standards for RF”: 1.1 (<30 du/acre) 1.5 ( > 30 du/acre) |
| Maximum density | 45 dwelling units per acre § 13.10.323 · code textMinimum land area is 968 square feet per dwelling unit (maximum density of 45 dwelling units per acre). |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in RF:
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 1.5 — more than 30 du/acre § 13.10.323
Not on this page
We did not find a general lot size, lot coverage limit for RF 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 RF zone?
40 ft — Santa Cruz County Municipal Code § 13.10.323.
What is the maximum number of stories in Santa Cruz County's RF zone?
3 stories — Santa Cruz County Municipal Code § 13.10.323.
What is the minimum front setback in Santa Cruz County's RF zone?
10 ft — Santa Cruz County Municipal Code § 13.10.323.
What is the minimum side setback in Santa Cruz County's RF zone?
5 ft each side — Santa Cruz County Municipal Code § 13.10.323.
What is the minimum rear setback in Santa Cruz County's RF zone?
15 ft — Santa Cruz County Municipal Code § 13.10.323.
General information, not legal advice.
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