San Marcos · Zoning · A-3
San Marcos A-3 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In San Marcos's A-3 zone, generally buildings can be up to 35 feet tall, the front setback is 35 feet and the minimum lot size is 4 acres, with the conditions listed below (San Marcos code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 35 feet (Less than 100 feet from any property line)
- Minimum front setback: 35 feet (Street frontage property line; measured from back of right-of-way)
- Minimum side setback: 15 feet (Interior property line)
- Minimum rear setback: 25 feet (Rear property line)
- Minimum lot size: 4 acres (Base row of the table, before the slope rows; steeper slopes need larger lots (up to 20 acres at 35%+ slope))
A-3 (Agricultural A-3) is a zoning district in San Marcos. Every value below was read from the San Marcos 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-3
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 feet Applies: Less than 100 feet from any property line § 20.210.050 · code textTable row “<100 feet from any PL”, column “A-3”: 35 feet |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 35 feet Applies: Street frontage property line; measured from back of right-of-way § 20.210.050 · code textTable row “Street Frontage PL”, column “A-3”: 35 feet |
| Minimum side setback | 15 feet Applies: Interior property line § 20.210.050 · code textTable row “Interior PL”, column “A-3”: 15 feet |
| Minimum rear setback | 25 feet Applies: Rear property line § 20.210.050 · code textTable row “Rear PL”, column “A-3”: 25 feet |
| Minimum lot size | 4 acres Applies: Base row of the table, before the slope rows; steeper slopes need larger lots (up to 20 acres at 35%+ slope) § 20.210.050 · code textTable row “Minimum Lot Area”, column “A-3”: 4 acres |
Uses in A-3
Uses the code's use tables allow in A-3, or allow with a permit. Each links to its page with the code section.
- Community garden — Allowed
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in A-3:
- Maximum building height: 50 feet — 100 feet or more from any property line; non-residential structure § 20.210.050
- Minimum front setback: 15 feet — for a sales stand; the table does not say which property line § 20.210.050
- Minimum side setback: 50 feet — Processing/packaging facility; side/interior/rear property line § 20.210.050
- Minimum side setback: 50 feet — Qualified worker housing (large); side/interior/rear property line § 20.210.050
- Minimum lot size: 8 acres — 25–35%+ slope § 20.210.050
- Minimum lot size: 20 acres — 35%+ slope § 20.210.050
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, lot coverage, FAR, density limit for A-3 in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the San Marcos Municipal Code.
Other San Marcos zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in San Marcos's A-3 zone?
35 feet (less than 100 feet from any property line) — San Marcos Municipal Code § 20.210.050.
What is the minimum front setback in San Marcos's A-3 zone?
35 feet (street frontage property line; measured from back of right-of-way) — San Marcos Municipal Code § 20.210.050.
What is the minimum side setback in San Marcos's A-3 zone?
15 feet (interior property line) — San Marcos Municipal Code § 20.210.050.
What is the minimum rear setback in San Marcos's A-3 zone?
25 feet (rear property line) — San Marcos Municipal Code § 20.210.050.
What is the minimum lot size in San Marcos's A-3 zone?
4 acres (base row of the table, before the slope rows; steeper slopes need larger lots (up to 20 acres at 35%+ slope)) — San Marcos Municipal Code § 20.210.050.
General information, not legal advice.
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