Madera County · Zoning · ARE
Madera County ARE zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Madera County's ARE zone, generally buildings can be up to 35 ft tall, the front setback is 25 ft and the minimum lot size is 18 acres, with the conditions listed below (Madera County code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 35 ft (maximum dwelling height)
- Minimum front setback: 25 ft
- Minimum side setback: 10 ft
- Minimum rear setback: 20 ft
- Minimum lot size: 18 acres (ARE zone of Chapter 56 (listed as 20); the other ARE zones are below)
- Maximum lot coverage: 5%
- Maximum density: 2 DU per lot
ARE is a zoning district in Madera County. Every value below was read from the Madera 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 ARE
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 | 35 ft Applies: maximum dwelling height § 18.53.030 · code textTable row “Maximum dwelling height”, column “ARE”: 35 |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 25 ft § 18.53.030 · code textTable row “Front setback (ft.)”, column “ARE”: 25 |
| Minimum side setback | 10 ft § 18.53.030 · code textTable row “Side setback (ft.)”, column “ARE”: 10 |
| Minimum rear setback | 20 ft § 18.53.030 · code textTable row “Rear setback (ft.)”, column “ARE”: 20 |
| Minimum lot size | 18 acres Applies: ARE zone of Chapter 56 (listed as 20); the other ARE zones are below § 18.53.030 · code textTable row “Minimum Lot area”, column “ARE”: 18 |
| Maximum lot coverage | 5% § 18.53.030 · code textTable row “Maximum lot coverage (%)”, column “ARE”: 5 |
| Maximum density | 2 DU per lot § 18.53.030 · code textTable row “Maximum permitted density (DU per lot)”, column “ARE”: 2 |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in ARE:
- Minimum lot size: 36 acres — ARE zone of Chapter 58 (listed as 40) § 18.53.030
- Minimum lot size: 80 acres — 80 acres is the smallest of the listed minimums (80, 160, 320, 640 acres) for the 80-640 acre ARE zones § 18.53.030
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, FAR limit for ARE in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Madera County Municipal Code.
Other Madera County zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Madera County's ARE zone?
35 ft (maximum dwelling height) — Madera County Municipal Code § 18.53.030.
What is the minimum front setback in Madera County's ARE zone?
25 ft — Madera County Municipal Code § 18.53.030.
What is the minimum side setback in Madera County's ARE zone?
10 ft — Madera County Municipal Code § 18.53.030.
What is the minimum rear setback in Madera County's ARE zone?
20 ft — Madera County Municipal Code § 18.53.030.
What is the minimum lot size in Madera County's ARE zone?
18 acres (aRE zone of Chapter 56 (listed as 20); the other ARE zones are below) — Madera County Municipal Code § 18.53.030.
General information, not legal advice.
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