Santa Rosa · Zoning · CN
Santa Rosa CN zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Santa Rosa's CN zone, generally buildings can be up to 45 ft tall, the front setback is None required and the minimum lot size is None required, with the conditions listed below (Santa Rosa code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 45 ft
- Minimum front setback: None required (Not next to a residential zone or use; Design Review may require more)
- Minimum side setback: None required (Not next to a residential zone or use; Design Review may require more)
- Minimum rear setback: None required (Not next to a residential zone or use; Design Review may require more)
- Minimum lot size: None required
- Maximum lot coverage: 85% (Retail/service uses other than lodging)
- Maximum density: 30 units per acre (Also, 1 unit is required per 4,000 sq ft of non-residential use)
CN is a zoning district in Santa Rosa. Every value below was read from the Santa Rosa 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 CN
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 | 45 ft § 20-23.040 · code textTable row “Maximum height”, column “CN”: 45 ft |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | None required Applies: Not next to a residential zone or use; Design Review may require more § 20-23.040 · code textTable row “Front”, column “CN”: 7.5 ft adjacent to a residential zone or use, or more as required by Design Review; none required elsewhere |
| Minimum side setback | None required Applies: Not next to a residential zone or use; Design Review may require more § 20-23.040 · code textTable row “Side—Interior (each)”, column “CN”: 5 ft adjacent to a residential zone or use, or more as required by Design Review; none required elsewhere |
| Minimum rear setback | None required Applies: Not next to a residential zone or use; Design Review may require more § 20-23.040 · code textTable row “Rear”, column “CN”: 10 ft adjacent to a residential zone or use, or more as required by Design Review; none required elsewhere |
| Minimum lot size | None required See note 1 below the table in the code. § 20-23.040 · code textTable row “Area (1)”, column “CN”: None required Note 1: Subdivision or Conditional Use Permit approval may establish specific requirements for minimum lot area, maximum lot coverage, set backs, and/or dimensions based on the characteristics of the site or surroundings, environmental constraints, and/or other issues. |
| Maximum lot coverage | 85% Applies: Retail/service uses other than lodging § 20-23.040 · code textTable row “Maximum coverage”, column “CN”: 85% for retail/service uses other than lodging; 65% for recreation, education, public assembly, lodging, public buildings and utilities |
| Maximum density | 30 units per acre Applies: Also, 1 unit is required per 4,000 sq ft of non-residential use § 20-23.040 · code textTable row “Maximum or required density”, column “CN”: 1 unit required per 4,000 sf of non-residential use, to a max. 30 units per acre |
Uses in CN
Uses the code's use tables allow in CN, or allow with a permit. Each links to its page with the code section.
- Duplex — Allowed — see note
- Private school — Needs a director conditional use permit — see note
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in CN:
- Minimum front setback: 7.5 ft — Adjacent to a residential zone or use § 20-23.040
- Minimum side setback: 5 ft — Adjacent to a residential zone or use § 20-23.040
- Minimum rear setback: 10 ft — Adjacent to a residential zone or use § 20-23.040
- Maximum lot coverage: 65% — Recreation, education, public assembly, lodging, public buildings and utilities § 20-23.040
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, FAR limit for CN in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Santa Rosa Municipal Code.
Other Santa Rosa zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Santa Rosa's CN zone?
45 ft — Santa Rosa Municipal Code § 20-23.040.
What is the minimum front setback in Santa Rosa's CN zone?
None required (not next to a residential zone or use; Design Review may require more) — Santa Rosa Municipal Code § 20-23.040.
What is the minimum side setback in Santa Rosa's CN zone?
None required (not next to a residential zone or use; Design Review may require more) — Santa Rosa Municipal Code § 20-23.040.
What is the minimum rear setback in Santa Rosa's CN zone?
None required (not next to a residential zone or use; Design Review may require more) — Santa Rosa Municipal Code § 20-23.040.
What is the minimum lot size in Santa Rosa's CN zone?
None required — Santa Rosa Municipal Code § 20-23.040.
General information, not legal advice.
Ask about a Santa Rosa property in CN
Ask GoCodebook what you can build at a specific address and get an answer that cites the section.
Ask your question