Merced County · Zoning · R1-5000
Merced County R1-5000 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Merced County's R1-5000 zone, generally buildings can be up to 30 ft tall, the front setback is 20 ft and the minimum lot size is 5,000 sq ft, with the conditions listed below (Merced County code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 30 ft
- Minimum front setback: 20 ft (garage)
- Minimum side setback: 5 ft
- Minimum rear setback: 10 ft
- Minimum lot size: 5,000 sq ft (interior parcel)
- Maximum lot coverage: 60%
R1-5000 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 R1-5000
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 | 30 ft § 18.12.030 · code textTable row “Height (main structure)”, column “R-1-5000”: 30 |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 20 ft Applies: garage § 18.12.030 · code textTable row “Front”, column “R-1-5000”: 20- Garage 15- Livable Area |
| Minimum side setback | 5 ft § 18.12.030 · code textTable row “Side (interior side)”, column “R-1-5000”: 5 |
| Minimum rear setback | 10 ft § 18.12.030 · code textTable row “Rear”, column “R-1-5000”: 10 |
| Minimum lot size | 5,000 sq ft Applies: interior parcel § 18.12.030 · code textTable row “Interior Parcel”, column “R-1-5000”: 5,000 |
| Maximum lot coverage | 60% § 18.12.030 · code textTable row “Maximum Structure Coverage (percentage)”, column “R-1-5000”: 60 |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in R1-5000:
- Minimum front setback: 15 ft — livable area § 18.12.030
- Minimum lot size: 6,000 sq ft — corner parcel § 18.12.030
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, FAR, density limit for R1-5000 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 maximum building height in Merced County's R1-5000 zone?
30 ft — Merced County Municipal Code § 18.12.030.
What is the minimum front setback in Merced County's R1-5000 zone?
20 ft (garage) — Merced County Municipal Code § 18.12.030.
What is the minimum side setback in Merced County's R1-5000 zone?
5 ft — Merced County Municipal Code § 18.12.030.
What is the minimum rear setback in Merced County's R1-5000 zone?
10 ft — Merced County Municipal Code § 18.12.030.
What is the minimum lot size in Merced County's R1-5000 zone?
5,000 sq ft (interior parcel) — Merced County Municipal Code § 18.12.030.
General information, not legal advice.
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