Sonoma County · Zoning · CT
Sonoma County CT zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Sonoma County's CT zone, generally buildings can be up to 35 ft tall, the front setback is None required and the minimum lot size is 10,000 sq ft, with the conditions listed below (Sonoma County code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 35 ft (East of Highway 1 and not visible from designated scenic roads)
- Minimum front setback: None required (except where the frontage of a block is partly in an R district: then at least 20 ft)
- Minimum side setback: None required (10 ft where the side of the lot is next to an R district)
- Minimum rear setback: None required (10 ft where the rear of the lot abuts an R district)
- Minimum lot size: 10,000 sq ft (Where both public sewer and public water services are provided or where public sewer service alone is provided)
- Maximum lot coverage: 60% (additional coverage may be allowed with a use permit if the maximum building intensity is not exceeded)
CT (Commercial Tourist District) 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 CT
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: East of Highway 1 and not visible from designated scenic roads See note 5 below the table in the code. § 26C-142 · code text(5) East of Highway 1 and are not visible from designated scenic roads: Thirty-five feet (35′). Note 5: East of Highway 1 and are not visible from designated scenic roads: Thirty-five feet (35′). |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | None required Applies: except where the frontage of a block is partly in an R district: then at least 20 ft § 26C-142 · code text(1) Front Yard: None, except where the frontage in a block is partially in an R district, in which case the front yard shall be not less than twenty feet (20′). |
| Minimum side setback | None required Applies: 10 ft where the side of the lot is next to an R district § 26C-142 · code text(2) Side Yard: None, except where the side of a lot is next to any R district, in which case the side yard shall be not less than ten feet (10′). |
| Minimum rear setback | None required Applies: 10 ft where the rear of the lot abuts an R district § 26C-142 · code text(3) Rear Yard: None, except where the rear of a lot abuts on an R district, in which case the rear yard shall be not less than ten feet (10′). |
| Minimum lot size | 10,000 sq ft Applies: Where both public sewer and public water services are provided or where public sewer service alone is provided § 26C-142 · code text(1) Where both public sewer and public water services are provided or where public sewer service alone is provided, ten thousand (10,000) square feet. |
| Maximum lot coverage | 60% Applies: additional coverage may be allowed with a use permit if the maximum building intensity is not exceeded See notes e, a below the table in the code. § 26C-142 · code text(e) Maximum Lot Coverage: Sixty percent (60%) provided that additional lot coverage may be permitted subject to Section 26C-142(a). Note e: Maximum Lot Coverage: Sixty percent (60%) provided that additional lot coverage may be permitted subject to Section 26C-142(a). Note a: Building Intensity: The maximum building intensity of the use of a site shall be determined by multiplying the maximum building height limit and the maximum lot coverage. The specified height or lot coverage limits may be modified if a use permit is first secured and if the maximum building intensity is not exceeded. |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in CT:
- Maximum building height: 16 ft — West of Highway 1; residential structures § 26C-142
- Maximum building height: 24 ft — West of Highway 1; commercial structures § 26C-142
- Maximum building height: 16 ft — Residential in the Bodega Bay Core Area; in major developments up to 15% of the units may exceed the limit § 26C-142
- Maximum building height: 16 ft — East of Highway 1 in the Sereno Del Mar Subdivision; residential structures § 26C-142
- Minimum front setback: 20 ft — Where the frontage in a block is partially in an R district § 26C-142
- Minimum side setback: 10 ft — Where the side of a lot is next to any R district § 26C-142
- Minimum rear setback: 10 ft — Where the rear of a lot abuts on an R district § 26C-142
- Minimum lot size: 1 acre — Where public water service alone is provided § 26C-142
- Minimum lot size: 1.5 acres — Where neither public sewer service nor public water service is provided § 26C-142
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, FAR, density limit for CT 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 CT zone?
35 ft (east of Highway 1 and not visible from designated scenic roads) — Sonoma County Municipal Code § 26C-142.
What is the minimum front setback in Sonoma County's CT zone?
None required (except where the frontage of a block is partly in an R district: then at least 20 ft) — Sonoma County Municipal Code § 26C-142.
What is the minimum side setback in Sonoma County's CT zone?
None required (10 ft where the side of the lot is next to an R district) — Sonoma County Municipal Code § 26C-142.
What is the minimum rear setback in Sonoma County's CT zone?
None required (10 ft where the rear of the lot abuts an R district) — Sonoma County Municipal Code § 26C-142.
What is the minimum lot size in Sonoma County's CT zone?
10,000 sq ft (where both public sewer and public water services are provided or where public sewer service alone is provided) — Sonoma County Municipal Code § 26C-142.
General information, not legal advice.
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