Merced County · Zoning · A-1
Merced County A-1 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Merced County's A-1 zone, generally the front setback is 20 ft and the minimum lot size is 20 acres, with the conditions listed below (Merced County code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Minimum front setback: 20 ft (Measured from the face of the curb, or the right-of-way where there is no curb)
- Minimum side setback: 15 ft (interior parcel)
- Minimum rear setback: 25 ft
- Minimum lot size: 20 acres (newly created parcel)
A-1 is a zoning district in Merced County. Every value below was read from the Merced 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 A-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.
| Minimum front setback | 20 ft Applies: Measured from the face of the curb, or the right-of-way where there is no curb § 18.10.030 · code textTable row “Front”, column “A-1”: 20 |
|---|---|
| Minimum side setback | 15 ft Applies: interior parcel § 18.10.030 · code textTable row “Side (Interior Parcel)”, column “A-1”: 15 |
| Minimum rear setback | 25 ft § 18.10.030 · code textTable row “Rear”, column “A-1”: 25 |
| Minimum lot size | 20 acres Applies: newly created parcel § 18.10.030 · code textTable row “Minimum Parcel Size (acres)”, column “A-1”: 20 acres |
Uses in A-1
Uses the code's use tables allow in A-1, or allow with a permit. Each links to its page with the code section.
- Single-family home — Allowed
Not on this page
We did not find a general height, stories, lot coverage, FAR, density limit for A-1 in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Merced County Municipal Code.
Other Merced County zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum front setback in Merced County's A-1 zone?
20 ft (measured from the face of the curb, or the right-of-way where there is no curb) — Merced County Municipal Code § 18.10.030.
What is the minimum side setback in Merced County's A-1 zone?
15 ft (interior parcel) — Merced County Municipal Code § 18.10.030.
What is the minimum rear setback in Merced County's A-1 zone?
25 ft — Merced County Municipal Code § 18.10.030.
What is the minimum lot size in Merced County's A-1 zone?
20 acres (newly created parcel) — Merced County Municipal Code § 18.10.030.
General information, not legal advice.
Ask about a Merced County property in A-1
Ask GoCodebook what you can build at a specific address and get an answer that cites the section.
Ask your question