El Dorado County · Zoning · CM
El Dorado County CM zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In El Dorado County's CM zone, generally buildings can be up to 50 ft tall, the front setback is 0 to 10 ft and the minimum lot size is No minimum, with the conditions listed below (El Dorado County code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 50 ft
- Minimum front setback: 0 to 10 ft (The code sets a range: at least 0, at most 10)
- Minimum side setback: 5 ft (Unless a zero lot line is used: 0 ft with a fireproof wall and no openings that meets building and fire code)
- Minimum rear setback: 5 ft (Unless a zero lot line is used: 0 ft with a fireproof wall and no openings that meets building and fire code)
- Minimum lot size: No minimum
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 2.0
CM is a zoning district in El Dorado County. Every value below was read from the El Dorado 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 CM
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 | 50 ft § 130.22.030 · code textTable row “Maximum Building Height (in feet)”, column “CM”: 50 |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 0 to 10 ft Applies: The code sets a range: at least 0, at most 10 See note 3 below the table in the code. § 130.22.030 · code textTable row “Setbacks (in feet) Front and Second- ary Front 3”, column “CM”: Min. 0 Max. 10 Note 3: Subject to Landscaping requirements in the site planning and design manual. |
| Minimum side setback | 5 ft Applies: Unless a zero lot line is used: 0 ft with a fireproof wall and no openings that meets building and fire code See note 4 below the table in the code. § 130.22.030 · code textTable row “Sides and Rear 4”, column “CM”: 0 or 5 Note 4: Zero lot line with fireproof wall and no openings, meeting building and fire code requirements, otherwise the 5 foot setback applies. |
| Minimum rear setback | 5 ft Applies: Unless a zero lot line is used: 0 ft with a fireproof wall and no openings that meets building and fire code See note 4 below the table in the code. § 130.22.030 · code textTable row “Sides and Rear 4”, column “CM”: 0 or 5 Note 4: Zero lot line with fireproof wall and no openings, meeting building and fire code requirements, otherwise the 5 foot setback applies. |
| Minimum lot size | No minimum § 130.22.030 · code textTable row “Minimum Lot Size 1 (in square feet)”, column “CM”: None |
| Maximum floor area ratio (FAR) | 2.0 See note 6 below the table in the code. § 130.22.030 · code textTable row “Floor Area Ratio 6”, column “CM”: 2.0 Note 6: Ratio of allowable floor area to lot area. |
Uses in CM
Uses the code's use tables allow in CM, or allow with a permit. Each links to its page with the code section.
- Bed and breakfast — Allowed
- Church or place of worship — Allowed
- Child care center — Needs an administrative permit
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in CM:
- Minimum side setback: 10 or 30 ft — Abutting R, R1A, R2A, R3A, and RE zoned land; the table does not say when 10 or 30 applies § 130.22.030
- Minimum rear setback: 10 or 30 ft — Abutting R, R1A, R2A, R3A, and RE zoned land; the table does not say when 10 or 30 applies § 130.22.030
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, lot coverage, density limit for CM in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the El Dorado County Municipal Code.
Other El Dorado County zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in El Dorado County's CM zone?
50 ft — El Dorado County Municipal Code § 130.22.030.
What is the minimum front setback in El Dorado County's CM zone?
0 to 10 ft (the code sets a range: at least 0, at most 10) — El Dorado County Municipal Code § 130.22.030.
What is the minimum side setback in El Dorado County's CM zone?
5 ft (unless a zero lot line is used: 0 ft with a fireproof wall and no openings that meets building and fire code) — El Dorado County Municipal Code § 130.22.030.
What is the minimum rear setback in El Dorado County's CM zone?
5 ft (unless a zero lot line is used: 0 ft with a fireproof wall and no openings that meets building and fire code) — El Dorado County Municipal Code § 130.22.030.
What is the minimum lot size in El Dorado County's CM zone?
No minimum — El Dorado County Municipal Code § 130.22.030.
General information, not legal advice.
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