Santa Maria · Zoning · PF
Santa Maria PF zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Santa Maria's PF zone, generally buildings can be up to 35 ft (3 stories) tall and the front setback is 15 ft, with the conditions listed below (Santa Maria code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 35 ft (unless the Planning Commission authorizes more, with a Planned Development Permit and findings of unique circumstances)
- Maximum number of stories: 3 stories (or 35 ft, unless the Planning Commission authorizes more, with a Planned Development Permit and findings of unique circumstances)
- Minimum front setback: 15 ft
- Minimum side setback: 10 ft
- Minimum rear setback: 10 ft
- Maximum lot coverage: 50%
PF (Public Facilities and Institutional District) is a zoning district in Santa Maria. Every value below was read from the Santa Maria 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 PF
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 Applies: unless the Planning Commission authorizes more, with a Planned Development Permit and findings of unique circumstances § 12-18.07 · code textNo building or structure shall exceed a height of three stories or 35 feet as measured from finished grade on the site, unless so authorized by the Planning Commission, upon the approval of a Planned Development Permit and making the finding that unique circumstances apply to the particular property or development proposed which justify an exception and which if allowed will nevertheless be compatible with adjoining properties. |
|---|---|
| Maximum number of stories | 3 stories Applies: or 35 ft, unless the Planning Commission authorizes more, with a Planned Development Permit and findings of unique circumstances § 12-18.07 · code textNo building or structure shall exceed a height of three stories or 35 feet as measured from finished grade on the site, unless so authorized by the Planning Commission, upon the approval of a Planned Development Permit and making the finding that unique circumstances apply to the particular property or development proposed which justify an exception and which if allowed will nevertheless be compatible with adjoining properties. |
| Minimum front setback | 15 ft § 12-18.08 · code textFront yard: No building or structure shall be located closer than 15 feet to the right-of-way line of any public street. |
| Minimum side setback | 10 ft § 12-18.08 · code textRequired side yard is 10 feet. |
| Minimum rear setback | 10 ft § 12-18.08 · code textRequired rear yard is 10 feet. |
| Maximum lot coverage | 50% § 12-18.06 · code textNo development shall cover in excess of 50% of the total area of the property (exclusive of public streets). |
Not on this page
We did not find a general lot size, FAR, density limit for PF in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Santa Maria Municipal Code.
Other Santa Maria zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Santa Maria's PF zone?
35 ft (unless the Planning Commission authorizes more, with a Planned Development Permit and findings of unique circumstances) — Santa Maria Municipal Code § 12-18.07.
What is the maximum number of stories in Santa Maria's PF zone?
3 stories (or 35 ft, unless the Planning Commission authorizes more, with a Planned Development Permit and findings of unique circumstances) — Santa Maria Municipal Code § 12-18.07.
What is the minimum front setback in Santa Maria's PF zone?
15 ft — Santa Maria Municipal Code § 12-18.08.
What is the minimum side setback in Santa Maria's PF zone?
10 ft — Santa Maria Municipal Code § 12-18.08.
What is the minimum rear setback in Santa Maria's PF zone?
10 ft — Santa Maria Municipal Code § 12-18.08.
General information, not legal advice.
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