Inyo County · Zoning · C-1
Inyo County C-1 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Inyo County's C-1 zone, generally buildings can be up to 40 ft (3 stories) tall and the front setback is No minimum, with the conditions listed below (Inyo County code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 40 ft (20 ft when within 50 ft of a residential (R) district)
- Maximum number of stories: 3 stories
- Minimum front setback: No minimum (Unless the property abuts a residential parcel)
- Minimum side setback: No minimum (Unless the property abuts a residential parcel)
- Minimum rear setback: No minimum (Unless the property abuts a residential parcel)
- Maximum density: 7.6 to 24 dwelling units per acre (Residential use; the code sets a range: at least 7.6, at most 24)
C-1 (General Commercial and Retail) is a zoning district in Inyo County. Every value below was read from the Inyo 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 C-1
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 | 40 ft Applies: 20 ft when within 50 ft of a residential (R) district § 18.45.070 · code textNo building in a C-1 district shall have a height in excess of forty feet or three stories, or in excess of twenty feet when located within fifty feet of a residential (R) district. |
|---|---|
| Maximum number of stories | 3 stories § 18.45.070 · code textNo building in a C-1 district shall have a height in excess of forty feet or three stories, or in excess of twenty feet when located within fifty feet of a residential (R) district. |
| Minimum front setback | No minimum Applies: Unless the property abuts a residential parcel § 18.45.060 · code textThere shall be no minimum yard requirement in the C-1 district, providing the property does not abut a residential parcel, wherein a setback of twenty feet shall be observed. |
| Minimum side setback | No minimum Applies: Unless the property abuts a residential parcel § 18.45.060 · code textThere shall be no minimum yard requirement in the C-1 district, providing the property does not abut a residential parcel, wherein a setback of twenty feet shall be observed. |
| Minimum rear setback | No minimum Applies: Unless the property abuts a residential parcel § 18.45.060 · code textThere shall be no minimum yard requirement in the C-1 district, providing the property does not abut a residential parcel, wherein a setback of twenty feet shall be observed. |
| Maximum density | 7.6 to 24 dwelling units per acre Applies: Residential use; the code sets a range: at least 7.6, at most 24 § 18.45.100 · code textResidential densities shall be 7.6 to twenty-four dwelling units per acre. |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in C-1:
- Maximum building height: 20 ft — Located within fifty feet of a residential (R) district § 18.45.070
- Minimum front setback: 20 ft — Property abuts a residential parcel § 18.45.060
- Minimum side setback: 20 ft — Property abuts a residential parcel § 18.45.060
- Minimum rear setback: 20 ft — Property abuts a residential parcel § 18.45.060
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 40% — Property has a General Plan Designation of Retail Commercial (RC); without a conditional use permit § 18.45.090
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 60% — Property has a General Plan Designation of Retail Commercial (RC); with a conditional use permit § 18.45.090
Not on this page
We did not find a general lot size, lot coverage, FAR limit for C-1 in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Inyo County Municipal Code.
Other Inyo County zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Inyo County's C-1 zone?
40 ft (20 ft when within 50 ft of a residential (R) district) — Inyo County Municipal Code § 18.45.070.
What is the maximum number of stories in Inyo County's C-1 zone?
3 stories — Inyo County Municipal Code § 18.45.070.
What is the minimum front setback in Inyo County's C-1 zone?
No minimum (unless the property abuts a residential parcel) — Inyo County Municipal Code § 18.45.060.
What is the minimum side setback in Inyo County's C-1 zone?
No minimum (unless the property abuts a residential parcel) — Inyo County Municipal Code § 18.45.060.
What is the minimum rear setback in Inyo County's C-1 zone?
No minimum (unless the property abuts a residential parcel) — Inyo County Municipal Code § 18.45.060.
General information, not legal advice.
Ask about an Inyo County property in C-1
Ask GoCodebook what you can build at a specific address and get an answer that cites the section.
Ask your question