Monterey County · Zoning · RG
Monterey County RG zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Monterey County's RG zone, generally buildings can be up to 35 ft tall, the front setback is 30 ft and the minimum lot size is 10 acres, with the conditions listed below (Monterey County code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 35 ft
- Minimum front setback: 30 ft (Main structures)
- Minimum side setback: 20 ft (Main structures)
- Minimum rear setback: 20 ft (Main structures)
- Minimum lot size: 10 acres (Unless approved as part of a clustered residential development.)
- Maximum lot coverage: 5% (except commercial greenhouse operations, which may cover 50 percent)
RG (Rural Grazing) is a zoning district in Monterey County. Every value below was read from the Monterey 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 RG
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 § 21.32.060 · code textMaximum Height: thirty-five (35) feet. |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 30 ft Applies: Main structures § 21.32.060 · code textFront: 30 feet. |
| Minimum side setback | 20 ft Applies: Main structures § 21.32.060 · code textSide: twenty (20) feet. |
| Minimum rear setback | 20 ft Applies: Main structures § 21.32.060 · code textRear: twenty (20) feet. |
| Minimum lot size | 10 acres Applies: Unless approved as part of a clustered residential development. § 21.32.060 · code textThe minimum building site shall be ten (10) acres unless otherwise approved as part of a clustered residential development. |
| Maximum lot coverage | 5% Applies: except commercial greenhouse operations, which may cover 50 percent § 21.32.060 · code textBuilding Site Coverage, Maximum: five percent, except for commercial greenhouse operations which are permitted a coverage of fifty (50) percent. |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in RG:
- Maximum lot coverage: 50% — Commercial greenhouse operations § 21.32.060
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, FAR, density limit for RG in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Monterey County Municipal Code.
Other Monterey County zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Monterey County's RG zone?
35 ft — Monterey County Municipal Code § 21.32.060.
What is the minimum front setback in Monterey County's RG zone?
30 ft (main structures) — Monterey County Municipal Code § 21.32.060.
What is the minimum side setback in Monterey County's RG zone?
20 ft (main structures) — Monterey County Municipal Code § 21.32.060.
What is the minimum rear setback in Monterey County's RG zone?
20 ft (main structures) — Monterey County Municipal Code § 21.32.060.
What is the minimum lot size in Monterey County's RG zone?
10 acres (unless approved as part of a clustered residential development) — Monterey County Municipal Code § 21.32.060.
General information, not legal advice.
Ask about a Monterey County property in RG
Ask GoCodebook what you can build at a specific address and get an answer that cites the section.
Ask your question