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Inyo County · Zoning · C-2

Inyo County C-2 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size

In Inyo County's C-2 zone, generally buildings can be up to 40 ft (3 stories) tall and the front setback is 25 ft, 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: 25 ft
  • Minimum side setback: 0 ft
  • Minimum rear setback: 0 ft (20 ft if adjacent to an R district)
  • Maximum density: 7.6 to 24 dwelling units per acre (The code sets a range: at least 7.6, at most 24)

C-2 (Highway Services and Tourist Commercial) 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-2

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
§ 18.48.060 · code text
No building in a C-2 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 an R district.
Maximum number of stories
3 stories
§ 18.48.060 · code text
No building in a C-2 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 an R district.
Minimum front setback
25 ft
§ 18.48.050 · code text
A. Depth of front yard: twenty-five feet;
Minimum side setback
0 ft
§ 18.48.050 · code text
C. Side yards: zero.
Minimum rear setback
0 ft
Applies: 20 ft if adjacent to an R district
§ 18.48.050 · code text
B. Depth of rear yard: zero (twenty feet if adjacent to an R district);
Maximum density
7.6 to 24 dwelling units per acre
Applies: The code sets a range: at least 7.6, at most 24
§ 18.48.100 · code text
Residential 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-2:

  • Maximum building height: 20 ft — when located within fifty feet of an R district § 18.48.060
  • Minimum rear setback: 20 ft — if adjacent to an R district § 18.48.050
  • Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 40% — for properties with a General Plan Designation of Retail Commercial (RC), without a conditional use permit § 18.48.090
  • Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 60% — for properties with a General Plan Designation of Retail Commercial (RC), with a conditional use permit § 18.48.090

Not on this page

We did not find a general lot size, lot coverage, FAR limit for C-2 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

HomeownersArchitects and designersDevelopersReal estate agents

Frequently asked questions

What is the maximum building height in Inyo County's C-2 zone?

40 ft (20 ft when within 50 ft of a residential (R) district) — Inyo County Municipal Code § 18.48.060.

What is the maximum number of stories in Inyo County's C-2 zone?

3 stories — Inyo County Municipal Code § 18.48.060.

What is the minimum front setback in Inyo County's C-2 zone?

25 ft — Inyo County Municipal Code § 18.48.050.

What is the minimum side setback in Inyo County's C-2 zone?

0 ft — Inyo County Municipal Code § 18.48.050.

What is the minimum rear setback in Inyo County's C-2 zone?

0 ft (20 ft if adjacent to an R district) — Inyo County Municipal Code § 18.48.050.

General information, not legal advice.

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