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Chapter 23.48 — BUILDING HEIGHT MEASUREMENTS AND EXCEPTIONS

Elk Grove Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-25 · Elk Grove

Sections:

23.48.010 Purpose.

23.48.020 Building heights.

23.48.030 Height measurement.

23.48.010 Purpose.

This chapter describes the required methods for measuring the height of structures in compliance with the height limits and exceptions established by this title, and exceptions to the height limits established by this title. [Ord. 8-2011 §21(A), eff. 6-24-2011]

23.48.020 Building heights.

A. Except as otherwise provided in EGMC Section 23.48.040, Exceptions to height limit, the height of structures shall not exceed the height limit for the applicable zoning district established by Division III, Zoning Districts, Allowable Land Uses, and Development Standards, of this title.

B. Additional height provisions for fences and walls are listed in EGMC Chapter 23.52, Fences and Walls. [Ord. 26-2006 §3, eff. 8-11-2006]

23.48.030 Height measurement.

A. Height Measurement. The allowable height shall be measured as the vertical distance from the finished grade to the highest point of the structure. See Figure 23.48-1. Figure 23.48-1

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Height Measurements

B. Height Measurement on Sloped Sites. For sloped lots or buildings with varied floor elevations, the height of a building is measured as the vertical distance from the average level of the ground under the building to the allowed number of feet above and parallel to the finished grade. The average level of ground is determined by adding the elevations of the highest and lowest foundation points of the building and dividing by two (2) (the midpoint of foundation). See Figure 23.48-2.

Figure 23.48-2

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Height Measurement on Sloped Sites

[Ord. 26-2006 §3, eff. 8-11-2006]

23.48.040 Exceptions to height limit.

Exceptions to height limits are listed below:

A. Residential Districts.

  1. Chimneys, television antennas, and roof-mounted solar collectors not exceeding a dimension of six (6' 0") feet at their base may exceed the height limits of the applicable zoning district by a maximum of five (5' 0") feet.

  2. Steeples, carillon towers, and similar architectural elements may be erected to a maximum height of seventy-five (75' 0") feet from the ground, provided said structures are set back from all property lines a distance equal to the height of the structure.

B. Nonresidential Districts. Minor projections, including elevator and mechanical equipment enclosures, may exceed the height limit by fifteen (15' 0") feet, provided they are screened by a parapet or pitched roof. Additionally, architectural features including clock towers, cupolas, and similar structures may exceed the height limit as listed below. See EGMC Chapter 23.94, Wireless Communications Facilities. 1. Up to twenty (20' 0") feet, if located at a street intersection;

  1. Up to twelve (12' 0") feet, if located midblock. These features shall not exceed a width of twenty-five (25' 0") feet or one-third (1/3) of the length of the building facade, whichever is less. Signs shall not be included within the additional height allowed. [Ord. 13-2025 §3 (Exh. E), eff. 7-25-2025; Ord. 28-2007 §3, eff. 10-26-2007; Ord. 26-2006 §3, eff. 8-11-2006]

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Contents — Elk Grove Zoning Code
Elk Grove Zoning Code
  1. Chapter 23.02 — PURPOSE OF TITLE 23
  2. Chapter 23.04 — TITLE 23 APPLICABILITY
  3. Chapter 23.10 — IDENTIFICATION AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF
  4. Chapter 23.12 — INTERPRETATION AND ENFORCEMENT OF TITLE 23
  5. Chapter 23.14 — GENERAL APPLICATION PROCESSING PROCEDURES
  6. Chapter 23.16 — PERMIT REQUIREMENTS
  7. Chapter 23.17 — STREAMLINED HOUSING APPROVALS
  8. Chapter 23.18 — IMPLEMENTATION, TIME LIMITS AND EXTENSIONS
  9. Chapter 23.20 — MODIFICATION AND REVOCATION
  10. Chapter 23.24 — ESTABLISHMENT OF ZONING DISTRICTS
  11. Chapter 23.26 — USE CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM
  12. Chapter 23.27 — ALLOWED USES AND REQUIRED ENTITLEMENTS
  13. Chapter 23.28 — AGRICULTURAL ZONING DISTRICTS (Repealed)
  14. Chapter 23.29 — DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS BY ZONING DISTRICT
  15. Chapter 23.30 — DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS FOR QUALIFYING RESIDENTI…
  16. Chapter 23.32 — COMMERCIAL ZONING DISTRICTS (Repealed)
  17. Chapter 23.34 — OFFICE ZONING DISTRICTS (Repealed)
  18. Chapter 23.36 — INDUSTRIAL ZONING DISTRICTS (Repealed)
  19. Chapter 23.38 — OPEN SPACE ZONING DISTRICT (Repealed)
  20. Chapter 23.40 — SPECIAL PURPOSE ZONING DISTRICTS
  21. Chapter 23.42 — OVERLAY/COMBINING DISTRICTS
  22. Chapter 23.46 — ACCESSORY STRUCTURES
  23. Chapter 23.47 — BILLBOARD SIGNS
  24. Chapter 23.48 — BUILDING HEIGHT MEASUREMENTS AND EXCEPTIONS
  25. Chapter 23.50 — DENSITY BONUS AND OTHER DEVELOPER INCENTIVES
  26. Chapter 23.52 — FENCES AND WALLS
  27. Chapter 23.54 — LANDSCAPING
  28. Chapter 23.56 — LIGHTING
  29. Chapter 23.60 — PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
  30. Chapter 23.61 — PRIVATE PARTY SIGNS ON CITY PROPERTY
  31. Chapter 23.62 — SIGNS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY
  32. Chapter 23.63 — UNDERGROUNDING OF UTILITIES
  33. Chapter 23.64 — YARD MEASUREMENTS AND PROJECTIONS
  34. Chapter 23.68 — ACCESSORY USES
  35. Chapter 23.70 — ADULT-ORIENTED BUSINESSES
  36. Chapter 23.72 — AUTOMOBILE FUELING STATIONS
  37. Chapter 23.74 — BIG-BOX RETAIL DESIGN STANDARDS
  38. Chapter 23.76 — CONDOMINIUM CONVERSION
  39. Chapter 23.78 — DRIVE-IN AND DRIVE-THROUGH FACILITY
  40. Chapter 23.80 — EMERGENCY SHELTERS
  41. Chapter 23.82 — HOME OCCUPATIONS
  42. Chapter 23.83 — INDOOR PERSONAL MARIJUANA CULTIVATION
  43. Chapter 23.84 — NONCONFORMING USES, BUILDINGS, AND STRUCTURES
  44. Chapter 23.85 — MOBILE FOOD VENDORS
  45. Chapter 23.86 — OUTDOOR SALES, DISPLAY, STORAGE, AND SEATING
  46. Chapter 23.88 — CARE FACILITIES
  47. Chapter 23.90 — ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS
  48. Chapter 23.92 — TEMPORARY USES
  49. Chapter 23.93 — URBAN CROP PRODUCTION
  50. Chapter 23.94 — WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES
  51. Chapter 23.98 — DEFINITIONS (Repealed)
  52. Chapter 23.100 — GENERAL DEFINITIONS

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