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

M-2 (M-2 Zone—Light Industrial) 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 M-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: Principal buildings § 18.56.050 · code text Principal buildings, three stories or forty feet,
Maximum number of stories	3 stories Applies: Principal buildings § 18.56.050 · code text Principal buildings, three stories or forty feet,
Minimum front setback	0 ft § 18.56.050 · code text Front yard, zero (twenty-five feet for mobilehome);
Minimum side setback	0 ft Applies: 5 ft for each story if adjacent to an R district and for mobilehome § 18.56.050 · code text Side yard, zero (five feet for each story if adjacent to an R district and for mobilehome);
Minimum rear setback	0 ft Applies: 10 ft if adjacent to an R district and for mobilehome § 18.56.050 · code text Rear yard, zero (ten feet if adjacent to an R district and for mobilehome);
Minimum lot size	one-half acre § 18.56.050 · code text Minimum parcel size, one-half acre, except when a greater minimum area is established pursuant to Section 18.78.055;

When a different number applies

The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in M-2:

Minimum front setback: 25 ft — For mobilehomes § 18.56.050
Minimum side setback: 5 ft for each story — If adjacent to an R district, and for mobilehomes § 18.56.050
Minimum rear setback: 10 ft — If adjacent to an R district and for mobilehomes § 18.56.050
Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 0.4 — Properties with a general plan designation of heavy commercial/commercial service; without a conditional use permit § 18.56.050
Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 1.0 — Properties with a general plan designation of heavy commercial/commercial service; with a conditional use permit § 18.56.050
Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 0.5 — Properties with a general plan designation of light industrial or general industrial; without a conditional use permit § 18.56.050
Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 1.2 — Properties with a general plan designation of light industrial or general industrial; with a conditional use permit § 18.56.050

Not on this page

We did not find a general lot coverage, FAR, density limit for M-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 M-2 zone?

40 ft (principal buildings) — Inyo County Municipal Code § 18.56.050.

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

3 stories (principal buildings) — Inyo County Municipal Code § 18.56.050.

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

0 ft — Inyo County Municipal Code § 18.56.050.

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

0 ft (5 ft for each story if adjacent to an R district and for mobilehome) — Inyo County Municipal Code § 18.56.050.

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

0 ft (10 ft if adjacent to an R district and for mobilehome) — Inyo County Municipal Code § 18.56.050.

General information, not legal advice.