El Dorado County · Zoning · RM
El Dorado County RM zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In El Dorado County's RM zone, generally buildings can be up to 50 ft tall, the front setback is 20 ft and the minimum lot size is 6,000 or 2,000 sq ft, with the conditions listed below (El Dorado County code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 50 ft
- Minimum front setback: 20 ft
- Minimum side setback: 5 ft
- Minimum rear setback: 10 ft
- Minimum lot size: 6,000 or 2,000 sq ft (Interior lot; smaller lots are allowed with attached or small lot design detached units)
RM 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 RM
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 § 130.24.030 · code textTable row “Maximum Height (in feet)”, column “RM 3”: 50 |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 20 ft § 130.24.030 · code textTable row “Setbacks 1 : (in feet) Front”, column “RM 3”: 20 |
| Minimum side setback | 5 ft See notes 4, 5 below the table in the code. § 130.24.030 · code textTable row “Side 4, 5”, column “RM 3”: 5 Note 4: Fire Safe setbacks may apply. Note 5: May be subject to special side yard setbacks due to building height under Section 130.30.060 (Height Limits and Exceptions) in Article 3 (Site Planning and Project Design Standards) of this Title. |
| Minimum rear setback | 10 ft § 130.24.030 · code textTable row “Rear”, column “RM 3”: 10 |
| Minimum lot size | 6,000 or 2,000 sq ft Applies: Interior lot; smaller lots are allowed with attached or small lot design detached units See note 3 below the table in the code. § 130.24.030 · code textTable row “Minimum Lot Size for Interior Lot”, column “RM 3”: 6,000 or 2,000 sq ft Note 3: Smaller minimum lot area or lot width is allowed when proposed with attached or small lot design detached units. |
Uses in RM
Uses the code's use tables allow in RM, or allow with a permit. Each links to its page with the code section.
- Single-family home — Allowed — see note
- Apartment building — Allowed
- Bed and breakfast — Needs a conditional use permit
- Church or place of worship — Needs a conditional use permit
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in RM:
- Minimum lot size: 7,500 or 3,500 sq ft — Corner lot § 130.24.030
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, lot coverage, FAR, density limit for RM 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 RM zone?
50 ft — El Dorado County Municipal Code § 130.24.030.
What is the minimum front setback in El Dorado County's RM zone?
20 ft — El Dorado County Municipal Code § 130.24.030.
What is the minimum side setback in El Dorado County's RM zone?
5 ft — El Dorado County Municipal Code § 130.24.030.
What is the minimum rear setback in El Dorado County's RM zone?
10 ft — El Dorado County Municipal Code § 130.24.030.
What is the minimum lot size in El Dorado County's RM zone?
6,000 or 2,000 sq ft (interior lot; smaller lots are allowed with attached or small lot design detached units) — El Dorado County Municipal Code § 130.24.030.
General information, not legal advice.
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