Sonoma County · Zoning · C2
Sonoma County C2 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Sonoma County's C2 zone, generally buildings can be up to 35 ft. tall, the front setback is None required and the minimum lot size is 10,000 sq ft, with the conditions listed below (Sonoma County code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 35 ft.
- Minimum front setback: None required (20 ft where the frontage in a block is partly in an R district)
- Minimum side setback: None required (5 ft where the side of the lot abuts the side of a lot in an R district)
- Minimum rear setback: None required (5 ft where the rear of the lot abuts an R district)
- Minimum lot size: 10,000 sq ft (Coastal zone standard (Chapter 26C); a commercial planned development or condominium needs a project of at least 1 acre)
- Maximum lot coverage: 50%
C2 is a zoning district in Sonoma County. Every value below was read from the Sonoma 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 C2
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. § 26-10-040 · code textTable row “Height (max. ft.)”, column “C2 Zone”: 35 ft. |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | None required Applies: 20 ft where the frontage in a block is partly in an R district § 26C-152 · code textNone, except where the frontage in a block is partially in an R district, in which case the front yard shall be not less than twenty feet (20′). |
| Minimum side setback | None required Applies: 5 ft where the side of the lot abuts the side of a lot in an R district § 26C-152 · code textNone, except where the side of a lot abuts upon the side of a lot in an R district, in which case the side yard shall be not less than five feet (5′). |
| Minimum rear setback | None required Applies: 5 ft where the rear of the lot abuts an R district § 26C-152 · code textNone, except where the rear of a lot abuts on an R district, in which case the rear yard shall be not less than five feet (5′). |
| Minimum lot size | 10,000 sq ft Applies: Coastal zone standard (Chapter 26C); a commercial planned development or condominium needs a project of at least 1 acre § 26C-152 · code textTen thousand (10,000) square feet. |
| Maximum lot coverage | 50% § 26-10-040 · code textTable row “Lot Coverage (max.)”, column “C2 Zone”: 50% |
Uses in C2
Uses the code's use tables allow in C2, or allow with a permit. Each links to its page with the code section.
- Single-family home — Needs a conditional use permit
- Emergency shelter — Needs a conditional use permit
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in C2:
- Maximum building height: 16 ft — West of Highway 1; residential § 26C-152
- Maximum building height: 24 ft — West of Highway 1; commercial § 26C-152
- Maximum building height: 16 ft — Residential in the Bodega Bay Core Area; in major developments up to 15% of the units may exceed the limit § 26C-152
- Maximum building height: 16 ft — Residential, east of Highway 1 in the Sereno Del Mar Subdivision; the architectural review committee may grant up to 24 ft § 26C-152
- Minimum front setback: 20 ft — Frontage in a block is partially in an R district § 26C-152
- Minimum side setback: 5 ft — Side of lot abuts upon the side of a lot in an R district § 26C-152
- Minimum rear setback: 5 ft — Rear of lot abuts on an R district § 26C-152
- Minimum lot size: 8,000 sq. ft. — Lots with public sewer service or with both public sewer and public water service § 26-10-040
- Minimum lot size: 1 acre — Lots with public water service and no public sewer service § 26-10-040
- Minimum lot size: 1.5 acres — Lots with no public water service and no public sewer service § 26-10-040
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, FAR, density limit for C2 in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Sonoma County Municipal Code.
Other Sonoma County zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Sonoma County's C2 zone?
35 ft. — Sonoma County Municipal Code § 26-10-040.
What is the minimum front setback in Sonoma County's C2 zone?
None required (20 ft where the frontage in a block is partly in an R district) — Sonoma County Municipal Code § 26C-152.
What is the minimum side setback in Sonoma County's C2 zone?
None required (5 ft where the side of the lot abuts the side of a lot in an R district) — Sonoma County Municipal Code § 26C-152.
What is the minimum rear setback in Sonoma County's C2 zone?
None required (5 ft where the rear of the lot abuts an R district) — Sonoma County Municipal Code § 26C-152.
What is the minimum lot size in Sonoma County's C2 zone?
10,000 sq ft (coastal zone standard (Chapter 26C); a commercial planned development or condominium needs a project of at least 1 acre) — Sonoma County Municipal Code § 26C-152.
General information, not legal advice.
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