Scotts Valley · Zoning · R-VH
Scotts Valley R-VH zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Scotts Valley's R-VH zone, generally the front setback is 10 ft, the side setback limit is 10 ft or 10% of lot width, whichever is greater and the rear setback limit is 15–25 ft; 20% of lot depth subject to these limits, with the conditions listed below (Scotts Valley code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Minimum front setback: 10 ft (for residential buildings)
- Minimum side setback: 10 ft or 10% of lot width, whichever is greater (for existing parcel perimeter)
- Minimum rear setback: 15–25 ft; 20% of lot depth subject to these limits
- Maximum lot coverage: 55%
R-VH (Very High-Density Residential Zoning District) is a zoning district in Scotts Valley. Every value below was read from the Scotts Valley 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 R-VH
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.
| Minimum front setback | 10 ft Applies: for residential buildings § 17.09.040 · code textThe minimum front yard shall be ten feet for residential buildings and twenty feet for garages. |
|---|---|
| Minimum side setback | 10 ft or 10% of lot width, whichever is greater Applies: for existing parcel perimeter § 17.09.040 · code textThe minimum side yard shall be ten feet or ten percent of the lot width which ever is greater for the existing parcel perimeter. |
| Minimum rear setback | 15–25 ft; 20% of lot depth subject to these limits § 17.09.040 · code textThe rear yard shall be twenty percent of the depth of the lot, provided that a rear yard of more than twenty-five feet shall not be required and a rear yard of less than fifteen feet shall not be permitted, subject to the following exceptions: |
| Maximum lot coverage | 55% § 17.09.040 · code textThe maximum site coverage in the R-VH zoning district shall be fifty-five percent. |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in R-VH:
- Maximum building height: 35 ft — unless otherwise provided in Section 17.46.050 of this title § 17.09.040
- Minimum front setback: 20 ft — for garages § 17.09.040
- Minimum side setback: 20 ft — at a garage entrance located off a side yard, to allow for space for a vehicle to park in front of the garage § 17.09.040
- Minimum rear setback: 15 ft — may be reduced to not less than 15 feet when one side yard is not less than 25 feet § 17.09.040
- Minimum rear setback: 1 ft additional rear yard for each 2 ft of height above 20 ft — for each two feet in height above which the top plate line exceeds twenty feet in height § 17.09.040
Not on this page
We did not find a general height, stories, lot size, FAR, density limit for R-VH in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Scotts Valley Municipal Code.
Other Scotts Valley zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum front setback in Scotts Valley's R-VH zone?
10 ft (for residential buildings) — Scotts Valley Municipal Code § 17.09.040.
What is the minimum side setback in Scotts Valley's R-VH zone?
10 ft or 10% of lot width, whichever is greater (for existing parcel perimeter) — Scotts Valley Municipal Code § 17.09.040.
What is the minimum rear setback in Scotts Valley's R-VH zone?
15–25 ft; 20% of lot depth subject to these limits — Scotts Valley Municipal Code § 17.09.040.
What is the maximum lot coverage in Scotts Valley's R-VH zone?
55% — Scotts Valley Municipal Code § 17.09.040.
General information, not legal advice.
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