Sonoma County · Zoning · LIA
Sonoma County LIA zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Sonoma County's LIA zone, buildings can be up to 35 ft tall, the front setback is 30 ft and the minimum lot size is 20 acres (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: 20 acres
- Maximum lot coverage: 20% (parcels less than 2 acres)
- Maximum density: 1 unit per 20 to 100 acres (the code sets a range: at least 20, at most 100 acres per unit)
LIA (LIA 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 LIA
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 § 26-06-040 · code textTable row “Height, Non-Agricultural Structures (max. ft.)”, column “LIA Zone”: 35 |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 30 ft § 26-06-040 · code textTable row “Front Property Line Setback (min. ft.)”, column “LIA Zone”: 30 |
| Minimum side setback | 10 ft § 26-06-040 · code textTable row “Interior Side Property Line Setback (min. ft.)”, column “LIA Zone”: 10 |
| Minimum rear setback | 20 ft § 26-06-040 · code textTable row “Rear Property Line Setback (min. ft.)”, column “LIA Zone”: 20 |
| Minimum lot size | 20 acres § 26-06-040 · code textTable row “Lot Size (min. acres)”, column “LIA Zone”: 20 |
| Maximum lot coverage | 20% Applies: parcels less than 2 acres § 26-06-040 · code textTable row “Lot Coverage for Parcels less than 2 acres (max.)”, column “LIA Zone”: 20% |
| Maximum density | 1 unit per 20 to 100 acres Applies: the code sets a range: at least 20, at most 100 acres per unit § 26-06-040 · code textTable row “Residential Density (min. acres per unit)”, column “LIA Zone”: 20-100 |
Uses in LIA
Uses the code's use tables allow in LIA, 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 LIA:
- Maximum building height: 50 ft — agricultural structures § 26-06-040
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, FAR limit for LIA 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 LIA zone?
35 ft — Sonoma County Municipal Code § 26-06-040.
What is the minimum front setback in Sonoma County's LIA zone?
30 ft — Sonoma County Municipal Code § 26-06-040.
What is the minimum side setback in Sonoma County's LIA zone?
10 ft — Sonoma County Municipal Code § 26-06-040.
What is the minimum rear setback in Sonoma County's LIA zone?
20 ft — Sonoma County Municipal Code § 26-06-040.
What is the minimum lot size in Sonoma County's LIA zone?
20 acres — Sonoma County Municipal Code § 26-06-040.
General information, not legal advice.
Ask about a Sonoma County property in LIA
Ask GoCodebook what you can build at a specific address and get an answer that cites the section.
Ask your question