Mendocino County · Zoning · MU-2
Mendocino County MU-2 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Mendocino County's MU-2 zone, generally buildings can be up to 50 ft tall, the front setback is 20 ft and the minimum lot size is 12,000 sq ft, with the conditions listed below (Mendocino County code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 50 ft
- Minimum front setback: 20 ft (Residential Use)
- Minimum side setback: 6 ft (Residential Use; non-residential use needs 5 ft where adjoining any district other than commercial or industrial)
- Minimum rear setback: 20 ft (Residential Use; non-residential use needs 20 ft only where the rear yard is contiguous with a residential zoning district)
- Minimum lot size: 12,000 sq ft (smaller lots may be permitted upon approval of a mixed use site development plan)
- Maximum density: 1 unit per 1,500 sq ft (Residential Use)
MU-2 (General Mixed Use District) is a zoning district in Mendocino County. Every value below was read from the Mendocino 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 MU-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 | 50 ft § 20.085.045 · code textFifty (50) feet. |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 20 ft Applies: Residential Use § 20.085.035 · code text(A) Residential Use: Twenty (20) feet. |
| Minimum side setback | 6 ft Applies: Residential Use; non-residential use needs 5 ft where adjoining any district other than commercial or industrial § 20.085.040 · code text(B) Non-Residential Use: None, except that a five (5) foot side yard is required adjoining any district other than commercial or industrial. |
| Minimum rear setback | 20 ft Applies: Residential Use; non-residential use needs 20 ft only where the rear yard is contiguous with a residential zoning district § 20.085.035 · code text(B) Non-Residential Use: None, except that a rear yard contiguous with a residential zoning district shall not be less than twenty (20) feet. |
| Minimum lot size | 12,000 sq ft Applies: smaller lots may be permitted upon approval of a mixed use site development plan § 20.085.025 · code textTwelve thousand (12,000) square feet, except smaller lot sizes may be permitted upon approval of a mixed use site development plan. |
| Maximum density | 1 unit per 1,500 sq ft Applies: Residential Use § 20.085.030 · code textResidential Use: one (1) unit per one thousand five hundred (1,500) square feet, except that a density bonus may be granted for the provision of affordable housing in accordance with Chapter 20.234. |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in MU-2:
- Minimum front setback: None required — Non-Residential Use § 20.085.035
- Minimum side setback: None required — Non-Residential Use, except 5 ft adjoining any district other than commercial or industrial § 20.085.040
- Minimum rear setback: None required — Non-Residential Use, except 20 ft where contiguous with a residential zoning district § 20.085.035
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, lot coverage, FAR limit for MU-2 in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Mendocino County Municipal Code.
Other Mendocino County zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Mendocino County's MU-2 zone?
50 ft — Mendocino County Municipal Code § 20.085.045.
What is the minimum front setback in Mendocino County's MU-2 zone?
20 ft (residential Use) — Mendocino County Municipal Code § 20.085.035.
What is the minimum side setback in Mendocino County's MU-2 zone?
6 ft (residential Use; non-residential use needs 5 ft where adjoining any district other than commercial or industrial) — Mendocino County Municipal Code § 20.085.040.
What is the minimum rear setback in Mendocino County's MU-2 zone?
20 ft (residential Use; non-residential use needs 20 ft only where the rear yard is contiguous with a residential zoning district) — Mendocino County Municipal Code § 20.085.035.
What is the minimum lot size in Mendocino County's MU-2 zone?
12,000 sq ft (smaller lots may be permitted upon approval of a mixed use site development plan) — Mendocino County Municipal Code § 20.085.025.
General information, not legal advice.
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