Sonoma County · Zoning · AR
Sonoma County AR zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Sonoma County's AR zone, generally buildings can be up to 35 ft tall, the front setback is 30 ft and the minimum lot size is 1 acre, with the conditions listed below (Sonoma County code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 35 ft
- Minimum front setback: 30 ft
- Minimum side setback: 10 ft
- Minimum rear setback: 20 ft
- Minimum lot size: 1 acre (lots served by public water)
- Maximum lot coverage: 20% (parcels less than 2 acres)
- Maximum density: 1 to 20 acres per dwelling unit (the code sets a range: at least 1 acre per unit, at most 20 acres; the general plan sets the exact figure)
AR (AR Zone) is a zoning district in Sonoma County. Every value below was read from the Sonoma 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 AR
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 § 26-08-040 · code textTable row “Main Building Height (max. ft.)”, column “AR Zone”: 35 |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 30 ft § 26-08-040 · code textTable row “Front Property Line Setback (min. ft.)”, column “AR Zone”: 30 |
| Minimum side setback | 10 ft § 26-08-040 · code textTable row “Interior Side Property Line Setback (min. ft.)”, column “AR Zone”: 10 |
| Minimum rear setback | 20 ft § 26-08-040 · code textTable row “Rear Property Line Setback (min. ft.)”, column “AR Zone”: 20 |
| Minimum lot size | 1 acre Applies: lots served by public water § 26-08-040 · code text1 acre on lots served by public water; and |
| Maximum lot coverage | 20% Applies: parcels less than 2 acres § 26-08-040 · code textTable row “Parcels less than 2 acres”, column “Maximum Allowed Lot Coverage”: 20% |
| Maximum density | 1 to 20 acres per dwelling unit Applies: the code sets a range: at least 1 acre per unit, at most 20 acres; the general plan sets the exact figure § 26-08-040 · code textTable row “Acres per Dwelling Unit (min.)”, column “AR Zone”: 1-20 |
Uses in AR
Uses the code's use tables allow in AR, or allow with a permit. Each links to its page with the code section.
- Single-family home — Allowed
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in AR:
- Minimum lot size: 1.5 acres — lots that are not served by public water § 26-08-040
- Maximum lot coverage: 18,000 sq. ft. or 15%, whichever is greater — parcels 2 to 5 acres § 26-08-040
- Maximum lot coverage: 30,000 sq. ft. or 10%, whichever is greater — parcels more than 5 acres to 20 acres § 26-08-040
- Maximum lot coverage: 85,000 sq. ft. or 5%, whichever is greater — parcels more than 20 acres § 26-08-040
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, FAR limit for AR in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Sonoma County Municipal Code.
Other Sonoma County zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Sonoma County's AR zone?
35 ft — Sonoma County Municipal Code § 26-08-040.
What is the minimum front setback in Sonoma County's AR zone?
30 ft — Sonoma County Municipal Code § 26-08-040.
What is the minimum side setback in Sonoma County's AR zone?
10 ft — Sonoma County Municipal Code § 26-08-040.
What is the minimum rear setback in Sonoma County's AR zone?
20 ft — Sonoma County Municipal Code § 26-08-040.
What is the minimum lot size in Sonoma County's AR zone?
1 acre (lots served by public water) — Sonoma County Municipal Code § 26-08-040.
General information, not legal advice.
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