Santa Maria · Zoning · RA
Santa Maria RA zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Santa Maria's RA zone, generally buildings can be up to 25 ft (2 stories) tall and the front setback is 30 ft, with the conditions listed below (Santa Maria code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 25 ft (building or structure used for dwelling purposes or public assembly)
- Maximum number of stories: 2 stories (building or structure used for dwelling purposes or public assembly)
- Minimum front setback: 30 ft
- Minimum side setback: 10% of lot width, max 20 ft
- Minimum rear setback: 45 ft (primary structures, such as dwelling units)
RA (Residential Agricultural 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 RA
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 | 25 ft Applies: building or structure used for dwelling purposes or public assembly § 12-5.08 · code textNo lot or parcel of land in the RA district shall have a building or structure used for dwelling purposes or public assembly, in excess of two stories or 25 feet in height, nor an accessory building in excess of 35 feet. |
|---|---|
| Maximum number of stories | 2 stories Applies: building or structure used for dwelling purposes or public assembly § 12-5.08 · code textNo lot or parcel of land in the RA district shall have a building or structure used for dwelling purposes or public assembly, in excess of two stories or 25 feet in height, nor an accessory building in excess of 35 feet. |
| Minimum front setback | 30 ft § 12-5.09 · code textEach lot or parcel of land in the RA district shall have a front yard of not less than 30 feet in depth. |
| Minimum side setback | 10% of lot width, max 20 ft § 12-5.09 · code textEach lot or parcel of land in the RA district shall have a side yard of not less than 10% of the width of the lot, but need not exceed 20 feet. |
| Minimum rear setback | 45 ft Applies: primary structures, such as dwelling units § 12-5.09 · code textPrimary structures, such as dwelling units shall be set back at least 45 feet from the rear lot line. |
Not on this page
We did not find a general lot size, lot coverage, FAR, density limit for RA 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 RA zone?
25 ft (building or structure used for dwelling purposes or public assembly) — Santa Maria Municipal Code § 12-5.08.
What is the maximum number of stories in Santa Maria's RA zone?
2 stories (building or structure used for dwelling purposes or public assembly) — Santa Maria Municipal Code § 12-5.08.
What is the minimum front setback in Santa Maria's RA zone?
30 ft — Santa Maria Municipal Code § 12-5.09.
What is the minimum side setback in Santa Maria's RA zone?
10% of lot width, max 20 ft — Santa Maria Municipal Code § 12-5.09.
What is the minimum rear setback in Santa Maria's RA zone?
45 ft (primary structures, such as dwelling units) — Santa Maria Municipal Code § 12-5.09.
General information, not legal advice.
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