Solana Beach · Zoning · SC
Solana Beach SC zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Solana Beach's SC zone, generally buildings can be up to 35 ft (3 stories) tall and the front setback is 10 ft, with the conditions listed below (Solana Beach code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 35 ft
- Maximum number of stories: 3 stories
- Minimum front setback: 10 ft (All other streets)
- Minimum side setback: 0 ft (Interior side yard not abutting a residentially zoned property; 15 ft or 10 ft where it does, see below)
- Minimum rear setback: 0 ft (Not abutting a residentially zoned property; 15 ft or 10 ft where it does, see below)
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 1.00
SC (Special Commercial Zone) is a zoning district in Solana Beach. Every value below was read from the Solana Beach 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 SC
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 | 35 ft § 17.28.030 · code textThe maximum height of any building or structure within the (SC) zone shall be 35 feet and up to three stories. |
|---|---|
| Maximum number of stories | 3 stories § 17.28.030 · code textThe maximum height of any building or structure within the (SC) zone shall be 35 feet and up to three stories. |
| Minimum front setback | 10 ft Applies: All other streets § 17.28.030 · code textTable row “All other streets (including the Stevens Ave. district)”, column “Front Yard”: 10' |
| Minimum side setback | 0 ft Applies: Interior side yard not abutting a residentially zoned property; 15 ft or 10 ft where it does, see below § 17.28.030 · code textTable row “All other streets (including the Stevens Ave. district)”, column “Side Yard (Interior)”: 0' b |
| Minimum rear setback | 0 ft Applies: Not abutting a residentially zoned property; 15 ft or 10 ft where it does, see below § 17.28.030 · code textTable row “All other streets (including the Stevens Ave. district)”, column “Rear Yard”: 0' b |
| Maximum floor area ratio (FAR) | 1.00 § 17.28.030 · code textThe maximum floor area ratio for the (SC) zone shall be 1.00.2 |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in SC:
- Maximum building height: Up to 15% of the roof plane may exceed 35 ft — With a development review permit, for architectural projections of exceptional quality and merit § 17.28.030
- Minimum front setback: 0 ft — North Cedros Ave., west side § 17.28.030
- Minimum front setback: 5 ft — North Cedros Ave., east side § 17.28.030
- Minimum front setback: 0 ft — South Cedros Ave., west side § 17.28.030
- Minimum front setback: 5 ft — South Cedros Ave., east side § 17.28.030
- Minimum side setback: 15 ft — South Cedros Avenue district, where any portion of the side yard abuts a residentially zoned property § 17.28.030
- Minimum side setback: 10 ft — North Cedros Avenue district or Stevens Avenue district, where any portion of the side yard abuts a residentially zoned property § 17.28.030
- Minimum rear setback: 15 ft — South Cedros Avenue district, where any portion of the rear yard abuts a residentially zoned property § 17.28.030
- Minimum rear setback: 10 ft — North Cedros Avenue district or Stevens Avenue district, where any portion of the rear yard abuts a residentially zoned property § 17.28.030
Not on this page
We did not find a general lot size, lot coverage, density limit for SC in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Solana Beach Municipal Code.
Other Solana Beach zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Solana Beach's SC zone?
35 ft — Solana Beach Municipal Code § 17.28.030.
What is the maximum number of stories in Solana Beach's SC zone?
3 stories — Solana Beach Municipal Code § 17.28.030.
What is the minimum front setback in Solana Beach's SC zone?
10 ft (all other streets) — Solana Beach Municipal Code § 17.28.030.
What is the minimum side setback in Solana Beach's SC zone?
0 ft (interior side yard not abutting a residentially zoned property; 15 ft or 10 ft where it does, see below) — Solana Beach Municipal Code § 17.28.030.
What is the minimum rear setback in Solana Beach's SC zone?
0 ft (not abutting a residentially zoned property; 15 ft or 10 ft where it does, see below) — Solana Beach Municipal Code § 17.28.030.
General information, not legal advice.
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