Stanislaus County R-A zoning: height, setbacks and lot size

R-A (Rural Residential District) is a zoning district in Stanislaus County. Every value below was read from the Stanislaus 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 R-A

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 § 21.24.040 · code text Maximum of thirty-five feet for all buildings;
Minimum front setback	70 ft from existing street centerline, or 15 ft from planned street line, whichever is greater Applies: major street or expressway § 21.24.080 · code text Not less than seventy feet from the existing centerline of the street, nor less than fifteen feet from the planned street line on a major street or expressway, whichever is the greater.
Minimum side setback	5 ft Applies: Interior lot line and rear yard. § 21.24.080 · code text Side Yard. Interior lot line and rear yard. Five feet;
Minimum rear setback	5 ft § 21.24.080 · code text Side Yard. Interior lot line and rear yard. Five feet;
Maximum lot coverage	40% Applies: Aggregate building coverage; except as allowed in Section 21.24.100 of this chapter. § 21.24.070 · code text For aggregate building coverage, maximum of forty percent of lot area except as allowed in Section 21.24.100 of this chapter.

When a different number applies

The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in R-A:

Minimum front setback: 45 ft from existing street centerline; 15 ft from planned street line — collector street (sixty feet wide); the planned street line standard applies where a specific plan has been adopted § 21.24.080
Minimum front setback: 40 ft from existing street centerline; 15 ft from planned street line — minor street (fifty feet wide); the planned street line standard applies where a specific plan has been adopted § 21.24.080
Minimum side setback: 5 ft closer to the planned street line than the front yard — corner lot; main building, garages and accessory buildings without direct vehicular access to the street § 21.24.080

Not on this page

We did not find a general stories, lot size, FAR, density limit for R-A in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Stanislaus County Municipal Code.

Other Stanislaus County zoning districts

Who this affects

HomeownersArchitects and designersDevelopersReal estate agents

Frequently asked questions

What is the maximum building height in Stanislaus County's R-A zone?

35 ft — Stanislaus County Municipal Code § 21.24.040.

What is the minimum front setback in Stanislaus County's R-A zone?

70 ft from existing street centerline, or 15 ft from planned street line, whichever is greater (major street or expressway) — Stanislaus County Municipal Code § 21.24.080.

What is the minimum side setback in Stanislaus County's R-A zone?

5 ft (interior lot line and rear yard) — Stanislaus County Municipal Code § 21.24.080.

What is the minimum rear setback in Stanislaus County's R-A zone?

5 ft — Stanislaus County Municipal Code § 21.24.080.

What is the maximum lot coverage in Stanislaus County's R-A zone?

40% (aggregate building coverage; except as allowed in Section 21.24.100 of this chapter) — Stanislaus County Municipal Code § 21.24.070.

General information, not legal advice.