Santa Cruz County · Zoning · TP
Santa Cruz County TP zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Santa Cruz County's TP zone, generally buildings can be up to 28 ft tall, the front setback is 40 ft and the minimum lot size is 40 acres, with the conditions listed below (Santa Cruz County code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 28 ft
- Minimum front setback: 40 ft
- Minimum side setback: 20 ft
- Minimum rear setback: 20 ft
- Minimum lot size: 40 acres (Outside the Coastal Zone)
- Maximum lot coverage: 10%
- Maximum density: 1 unit per 10 acres (Outside the Coastal Zone)
TP (Timber Production TP District) is a zoning district in Santa Cruz County. Every value below was read from the Santa Cruz 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 TP
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 | 28 ft § 13.10.373 · code textTable row “100”, column “Maximum Building Height (feet)”: 28 |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 40 ft § 13.10.373 · code textTable row “100”, column “Front Yard”: 40 |
| Minimum side setback | 20 ft § 13.10.373 · code textTable row “100”, column “Side Yard”: 20 |
| Minimum rear setback | 20 ft § 13.10.373 · code textTable row “100”, column “Rear Yard”: 20 |
| Minimum lot size | 40 acres Applies: Outside the Coastal Zone § 13.10.373 · code textOutside the Coastal Zone, no land division shall create parcels smaller than 40 acres, and inside the Coastal Zone smaller than 160 acres, except pursuant to an approval by the Board of Supervisors at a noticed public hearing that conforms to the conditional densities and special findings required by this section and SCCC § 13.10.375. |
| Maximum lot coverage | 10% § 13.10.373 · code textTable row “100”, column “Maximum Lot Coverage”: 10% |
| Maximum density | 1 unit per 10 acres Applies: Outside the Coastal Zone § 13.10.373 · code textResidential density shall not exceed: one dwelling unit per 10 acres outside the Coastal Zone, and one dwelling unit per 40 acres inside the Coastal Zone. |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in TP:
- Minimum lot size: 160 acres — Inside the Coastal Zone § 13.10.373
- Maximum density: 1 unit per 40 acres — Inside the Coastal Zone § 13.10.373
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, FAR limit for TP in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Santa Cruz County Municipal Code.
Other Santa Cruz County zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Santa Cruz County's TP zone?
28 ft — Santa Cruz County Municipal Code § 13.10.373.
What is the minimum front setback in Santa Cruz County's TP zone?
40 ft — Santa Cruz County Municipal Code § 13.10.373.
What is the minimum side setback in Santa Cruz County's TP zone?
20 ft — Santa Cruz County Municipal Code § 13.10.373.
What is the minimum rear setback in Santa Cruz County's TP zone?
20 ft — Santa Cruz County Municipal Code § 13.10.373.
What is the minimum lot size in Santa Cruz County's TP zone?
40 acres (outside the Coastal Zone) — Santa Cruz County Municipal Code § 13.10.373.
General information, not legal advice.
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