Santa Rosa · Zoning · CO
Santa Rosa CO zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Santa Rosa's CO zone, generally buildings can be up to 35 ft tall, the front setback is 15 ft and the minimum lot size is 6,000 sq ft, with the conditions listed below (Santa Rosa code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 35 ft
- Minimum front setback: 15 ft
- Minimum side setback: 5 ft
- Minimum rear setback: 5 ft (1-story building)
- Minimum lot size: 6,000 sq ft (Interior lot)
- Maximum lot coverage: 65%
- Maximum density: 30 units per acre
CO is a zoning district in Santa Rosa. Every value below was read from the Santa Rosa 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 CO
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 § 20-23.040 · code textTable row “Maximum height”, column “CO”: 35 ft |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 15 ft § 20-23.040 · code textTable row “Front”, column “CO”: 15 ft |
| Minimum side setback | 5 ft § 20-23.040 · code textTable row “Side—Interior (each)”, column “CO”: 5 ft |
| Minimum rear setback | 5 ft Applies: 1-story building § 20-23.040 · code textTable row “Rear”, column “CO”: 1-story building —5 ft 2-story building —10ft; 15 ft adjacent to R zone 3 or more stories —15 ft 25 ft adjacent to R zone |
| Minimum lot size | 6,000 sq ft Applies: Interior lot See note 1 below the table in the code. § 20-23.040 · code textTable row “Area (1)”, column “CO”: 6,000 sf—Interior lot 7,000 sf—Corner lot Note 1: Subdivision or Conditional Use Permit approval may establish specific requirements for minimum lot area, maximum lot coverage, set backs, and/or dimensions based on the characteristics of the site or surroundings, environmental constraints, and/or other issues. |
| Maximum lot coverage | 65% § 20-23.040 · code textTable row “Maximum coverage”, column “CO”: 65% |
| Maximum density | 30 units per acre § 20-23.040 · code textTable row “Maximum or required density”, column “CO”: 30 units per acre, maximum |
Uses in CO
Uses the code's use tables allow in CO, or allow with a permit. Each links to its page with the code section.
- Duplex — Needs a director conditional use permit — see note
- Private school — Needs a director conditional use permit
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in CO:
- Minimum rear setback: 10 ft — 2-story building § 20-23.040
- Minimum rear setback: 15 ft — Adjacent to R zone; 2-story building § 20-23.040
- Minimum rear setback: 15 ft — 3 or more stories § 20-23.040
- Minimum rear setback: 25 ft — Adjacent to R zone; 3 or more stories § 20-23.040
- Minimum lot size: 7,000 sq ft — Corner lot § 20-23.040
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, FAR limit for CO in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Santa Rosa Municipal Code.
Other Santa Rosa zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Santa Rosa's CO zone?
35 ft — Santa Rosa Municipal Code § 20-23.040.
What is the minimum front setback in Santa Rosa's CO zone?
15 ft — Santa Rosa Municipal Code § 20-23.040.
What is the minimum side setback in Santa Rosa's CO zone?
5 ft — Santa Rosa Municipal Code § 20-23.040.
What is the minimum rear setback in Santa Rosa's CO zone?
5 ft (1-story building) — Santa Rosa Municipal Code § 20-23.040.
What is the minimum lot size in Santa Rosa's CO zone?
6,000 sq ft (interior lot) — Santa Rosa Municipal Code § 20-23.040.
General information, not legal advice.
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