Residential Districts
RR
Rural Residential
| Yard / Standard | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Front | 7 ft 20 ft for street-facing garage/carport |
| Side | 5 ft |
| Rear | 15 ft |
| Height max (residential) | 26 ft |
| Height max (nonresidential) | 38 ft |
| Height near side/rear line | Within 10 ft of line → max 14 ft Within 15 ft → max 26 ft |
R-1 – R-6
Lower-Density Residential
| Yard / Standard | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Front | 7 ft 20 ft for street-facing garage/carport |
| Side | 5 ft |
| Rear | 15 ft or 20% of avg lot depth (whichever is less) |
| Height max (residential) | 26 ft |
| Height max (nonresidential) | 38 ft |
| Height near side/rear line | Within 10 ft of line → max 14 ft Within 15 ft → max 26 ft |
Applies to: R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, R-6.
R-7 – R-9
Moderate-Density Residential
| Yard / Standard | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Front | 7 ft 20 ft for street-facing garage/carport |
| Side | 5 ft |
| Rear | 15 ft or 20% of avg lot depth (whichever is less) |
| Height max (residential) | 26 ft |
| Height max (nonresidential) | 38 ft |
| Height near side/rear line | Within 10 ft of line → max 14 ft Within 15 ft → max 26 ft |
Applies to: R-7, R-7(I), R-8, R-9.
RC-5 / RC-8
Residential Compound
| Yard / Standard | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Front | 7 ft — or 0 ft if yard wall 6–8 ft high is built between building and street |
| Side | 5 ft |
| Rear | 15 ft — or 5 ft if wall 6–8 ft high is built |
| Height max | 26 ft — upper-story gross floor area ≤ 50% of ground floor area |
| Height (stories above ground) | No portion of any story above ground level shall be closer than 15 ft from the property line |
R-10 – R-29
High-Density Residential
| Yard / Standard | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Front | 7 ft 20 ft for street-facing garage/carport |
| Side | 5 ft |
| Rear | 15 ft or 20% of avg lot depth (whichever is less) |
| Height max — R-10, R-12 | 26 ft |
| Height max — R-21, R-29 | 26 ft by right | 38 ft with development plan or conditional use approval |
| Height near side/rear line | Within 10 ft of line → max 14 ft Within 15 ft → max 26 ft |
Applies to: R-10, R-12, R-21, R-29.
RAC
Residential Arts & Crafts
| Yard / Standard | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Front | 7 ft 20 ft for street-facing garage/carport |
| Side | 5 ft |
| Rear | 15 ft or 20% of avg lot depth (whichever is less) |
| Height max (residential) | 26 ft |
| Height max (nonresidential) | 38 ft |
| Height near side/rear line | Within 10 ft of line → max 14 ft Within 15 ft → max 24 ft (note: 24 ft, not 26 ft) |
HZ
Hospital Zone
| Yard / Standard | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Front | 7 ft 20 ft for street-facing garage/carport |
| Side | 5 ft |
| Rear | 15 ft or 20% of avg lot depth (whichever is less) |
| Height max | Las Soleras: 70 ft All other HZ: 38 ft |
Applies to Christus St. Vincent HZ & Las Soleras HZ. Lot coverage: Christus 30%; Las Soleras: 1.8:1 FAR.
Mixed-Use & Commercial Districts
MU
Mixed-Use District
| Yard / Standard | Adjacent to Residential | Not Adjacent |
|---|---|---|
| Front | 7 ft | 7 ft |
| Side | 30 ft | 5 ft |
| Rear | 30 ft | 10 ft |
| Height max | 38 ft all structures — buildings within 70 ft of an adjoining residential property line: max 26 ft | |
Note [2]: The 7 ft front setback applies if no street separates the MU and R districts. Note [3]: Right-of-way may count as part of setback.
C-1 / C-2 / C-4
Commercial Districts
| Yard / Standard | C-1 | C-2 | C-4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front | 10 ft | 15 ft | 10 ft |
| Side | 5 ft | 0 ft | — |
| Rear | 10 ft | 10 ft | 10 ft |
| Height max | 38 ft | 45 ft | 26 ft |
| Height near side/rear line | C-4: Within 10 ft of line → max 14 ft Within 15 ft → max 26 ft | ||
Rear yard abutting residential: Increases to 25 ft or 20% of lot depth (whichever is less). C-4 note: Max residential density is same as lowest-density contiguous residential district.
SC-1/2/3
Shopping Centers
| Yard / Standard | SC-1 | SC-2 | SC-3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front / Side / Rear | Same as requirements of any adjoining zoning district | ||
| Height max | 38 ft | 45 ft | 45 ft |
SC-1: min 5 acres; SC-2: min 10 acres; SC-3: min 40 acres.
BIP
Business & Industrial Park
| Yard / Standard | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Front | None |
| Side | None |
| Rear | None |
| Height max | 38 ft — within 25 ft of a residential district, no structure shall exceed 26 ft |
| Height stepback (near residential) | Structures 26–38 ft within 25 ft of residential: step back 2 horizontal ft per vertical ft above 26 ft |
Adjacent to residential use or zoning: No building, parking, loading, or driveway less than 50 ft from shared property line. Planning Commission may reduce to 25 ft depending on use, topography, or landscaping.
POS
Parks & Open Space
| Yard / Standard | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Front / Side / Rear | None |
| Height max | None specified |
Industrial Districts
I-1 / I-2
Industrial Districts
| Yard / Standard | I-1 | I-2 |
|---|---|---|
| Front | 15 ft | 15 ft |
| Side | 0 ft | 5 ft / 10 ft (if abutting residential) |
| Rear | 10 ft* | 10 ft / 25 ft (if abutting residential) |
| Height max | 65 ft both districts | |
| Height stepback (near residential) | Any portion above 38 ft abutting residential: step back 1 horizontal ft per 2 ft of height above 38 ft | |
*I-1 rear abutting residential: Increases to 25 ft or 20% of lot depth (whichever is less).
Business-Capitol District (BCD) — Townscape Subdistricts
The BCD contains multiple townscape subdistricts, each with distinct setback requirements. Corner lot provisions in §14-3.5D do not apply within the BCD. The baseline floor area ratio for the entire BCD is 2.0:1 (2.5:1 in Plaza/San Francisco, Alameda, Redevelopment, and Loretto subdistricts).
| Subdistrict | Front / Street | Side | Rear | Max Height | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alameda St | None | — | — | 56 ft (1 ft stepback per 2 ft above 36 ft) | Lot coverage 67% in bounded block; open space req. for Alameda frontage |
| Barrio de Analco | East: no restriction West: max 7 ft from property line |
— | — | East: 18 ft West: 24 ft | West portion buildings built close to street edge; 67% lot coverage |
| Cerrillos Road | 15 ft min on Cerrillos | — | — | 45 ft (1 ft stepback per 2 ft above 27 ft; min 10 ft horizontal) | Lots abutting residential → residential district setback applies along common property line |
| Don Gaspar | 10 ft | 5 ft | 15 ft | 24 ft | — |
| East Marcy / East Palace | 10 ft (or avg existing front yard depth on block) | 5 ft | 10 ft | 27 ft | See §14-3.3C.9 for specific block-face exceptions on Marcy St and Palace Ave |
| Loretto | None | — | — | 65 ft above center-of-site grade (1 ft setback per 2 ft above 36 ft from street ROW line) | — |
| Marcy | None (avg existing front yard on certain blocks) | — | — | Not specified (1 ft stepback per 1 ft above 24 ft; min 10 ft horizontal) | Parking prohibited in front yard |
| McKenzie St | 10 ft | 5 ft | 15 ft | 24 ft | — |
| Old Santa Fe Trail | 10 ft | — | — | 24 ft | — |
| Plaza / San Francisco | None (buildings on San Francisco St built to street property line) | — | — | 36 ft | Buildings set back must have solid wall at property line unless 80%+ paved for public pedestrians |
| Rosario Blvd / NW Paseo de Peralta | 20 ft min from sidewalk (north side of Paseo de Peralta) | — | — | 36 ft | Residential district setback applies along common property line; 67% lot coverage |
| Sandoval / Montezuma | — | — | — | 36 ft | Residential district setback applies along common property line; 67% lot coverage |
| State Capitol | Min = building height | 5 ft min | — | 48 ft | 50% lot coverage. No walls allowed (except retaining, existing parking, delivery/trash areas) |
| Westside | 10 ft | 5 ft | 15 ft | 24 ft | — |
Overlay Districts & Special Setback Rules
| Zone / Standard | Setback from Cerrillos | Min. Lot Depth |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 (0–75 ft) | 15 ft | 75 ft |
| Zone 2 (75–125 ft) | 25 ft | 125 ft |
| Zone 3 (125–175 ft) | 35 ft | 175 ft |
| Zone 4 (175–225 ft) | 45 ft | 225 ft |
| Height max | 45 ft — and shall not exceed the distance the building is set back from the Cerrillos Road ROW property line | |
Setback rule: As indicated above, or 20% of the lot's depth — whichever is less.
WSFRC
West Santa Fe River Corridor
| From | Setback |
|---|---|
| Santa Fe River | Min 15 ft from most restrictive of: River Greenway Boundary; 100-yr FEMA Floodplain; or City arroyo/stream code §14-8.2E.5 |
| Agua Fria St | 30 ft or 20% of lot depth (whichever is less) — for 2+ lots or 2+ housing units |
| West Alameda St | 50 ft from property line — for 2+ lots or 2+ housing units |
| Type | Setback from Street Property Line |
|---|---|
| Enclosed garage (3 sides) facing street | 20 ft |
| Open carport (3+ sides open, facing street) | 7 ft min — subject to conditions |
Open carport allowance requires: 7 ft+ from street property line; fully open on ≥3 sides; materials compatible with dwelling; use limited to registered passenger vehicles/motorcycles; no material storage. Applies to all streets; does not apply to alleys.
General Setback Provisions & Exceptions (§14-3.5D)
These provisions apply citywide across all zoning districts unless a specific district standard states otherwise. Source: §14-3.5D, City of Santa Fe LDC.
Structures Exempt from Setback Requirements
- 1Walls and fences
- 2Decks, planters, driveways, walkways, stairways, uncovered porches, and similar structures less than 30 inches above grade
- 3Swimming pools and other water features
- 4Above-ground and underground public/private utility facilities (as provided under §14-5.3I.2)
- 5Above-ground transformers, equipment enclosures, and vaults of utilities when located and screened per approved plat, development plan, or Director approval
- 6Underground pipes, wires, and conduits providing utility service to the property
- 7Above-ground wires (service drops) connecting structures to existing overhead utility distribution
- 8Eaves or other roof projections — may extend into required setbacks up to 2 feet
Additional General Rules
- ★Existing front setback averaging: Where existing development does not comply with front setback requirements, new development may reduce the front setback to match the average existing front setback of adjacent properties within 150 feet.
- ★Corner lots: One setback must comply with the zoning district's front setback requirement; all other street setbacks must be no less than 7 ft. (Does not apply in BCD.)
- ★Side/rear setback reductions: Required side and/or rear setbacks may be reduced with written concurrence of adjoining property owners (recorded agreement, plat, or declaration). The reduction must be offset by a corresponding increase on the adjoining lot. Subject to approval by Planning and Land Use Director per Article 7-1.
- ★Nonconforming lots: Dimensions of required setbacks, along with all other requirements not involving lot area or density, shall still conform to district regulations (§14-1.13D).
Terrain overrides height maximums. On slopes ≥15%, ridge tops, and at elevations ≥7,400 ft, district height limits are superseded by lower terrain-specific caps (as low as 14 ft on ridgelines). See the SF County Terrain Management tab for the complete rules.
Setback Table 7-A — All Zoning Districts
Road setbacks shown on plats are the minimums — an applicant may elect to create greater setbacks. The setback standards in Table 7-A do not apply to fences or walls.
| Zoning District | Front Min (ft) | Front Max (ft) | Side Min (ft) | Rear Min (ft) | Height Max (ft) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A/R Agriculture / Ranching | 25 | n/a | 50 | 50 | 36 (barn/silo: 50) |
| RUR Rural | 25 | n/a | 25 | 25 | 36 (barn/silo: 50) |
| RUR-F Rural Fringe | 25 | n/a | 25 | 25 | 36 (barn/silo: 50) |
| RUR-R Rural Residential | 20 | n/a | 25 | 25 | 24 |
| RES-F Residential Fringe | 10 | n/a | 25 | 25 | 24 |
| RES-E Residential Estate | 10 | n/a | 25 | 25 | 24 |
| RES-C Residential Community | 5 | n/a | 5 | 5 | 24 |
| TC Traditional Community | 5 | n/a | 5 | 5 | 24 |
| CG Commercial General | 5 | 25 | 0 | 30 | 40 base / 48 with TDRs |
| CN Commercial Neighborhood | 5 | 25 | 0 | 30 | 24 |
| I Industrial General | 20 | n/a | 30 | 30 | 36 base / 50 with TDRs |
| IL Industrial Light | 20 | n/a | 30 | 30 | 27 base / 40 with TDRs |
| MU Mixed Use | 0 | n/a | 0 * | 5 | 27 base / 48 with TDRs |
| PI Public / Institutional | 5 | n/a | 5 | 10 | 48 |
MU Mixed Use exception (*): No interior side setbacks are required in the MU district, except when residential uses abut non-residential uses — in which case the minimum side setback shall be 25 ft. If a commercial use in an MU district abuts a residential zone adjacent to the MU district, the setback shall equal that of the adjacent residential zone.
Special & Resource-Based Setbacks
| Road Type | Min. Setback from Pavement |
|---|---|
| Federal Highway | 150 ft |
| Highway / Major Arterial / Railroad | 100 ft |
Unless established through a right-of-way. May be reduced via landscaping — see §7.3.3.9 reduction provisions below.
| Buffer Type | Reduced Setback |
|---|---|
| Trees ≥20 ft at maturity, 25 ft wide, 1 tree/350 sq ft (≥⅓ evergreens) | 75 ft |
| Trees ≥30 ft maturity + shrubs ≥12 ft maturity, 25 ft wide, 1 tree/300 sq ft + 1 shrub/350 sq ft | 50 ft |
| Trees + solid masonry wall, or trees + 3–4 ft earth berm | Further reduction possible — Admin discretion based on site variables |
§7.3.3.5
Commercial / Industrial to Residential
| Condition | Setback |
|---|---|
| Any structure/use in Commercial or Industrial district adjacent to a Residential district | 100 ft from the property line |
Note: "Commercial district" for purposes of this section does not include the MU zone.
§7.3.3.6
Acequia / Ditch Setback
| Feature | Setback |
|---|---|
| Centerline of any acequia, ditch, lateral, or drain under authority of an acequia association, organization, or irrigation district | 15 ft min |
Applies to all structures excluding walls and fences. Requirement may be waived if easement is otherwise prescribed by a recognized acequia association or irrigation district. Applicants must provide notice to impacted acequia associations if development is within 25 ft of an acequia.
§7.17.5
Arroyo / Floodplain Erosion Setbacks
| Feature | Min. Setback |
|---|---|
| Natural edge of arroyos with flows >25 cfs (100-yr storm) | 25 ft |
| FEMA-designated 100-year Floodplain | 75 ft (min 25 ft if bank stabilization engineered) |
No fill shall be placed in natural drainage channels. FEMA setback may be reduced below 75 ft if bank stabilization or stream-bed/bank stability is designed by a licensed professional engineer — but in no case reduced below 25 ft.
§7.17.10.6
Ridgeline / Ridgetop Setback
| Feature | Min. Setback |
|---|---|
| Ridge, ridgetop, ridgeline, or shoulder | 100 ft |
The 100 ft default may be reduced only if a field inspection demonstrates that structures within the default minimum would be non-visible or less visible from applicable public rights-of-way than structures built outside the default minimum setback.
Exceptions to Setback Requirements (§7.3.3.8)
These exceptions apply provided that a 10-foot distance between structures is maintained.
Allowed within Required Setbacks
- 1Fences and walls
- 2Chimneys, flues, or smokestacks — may extend into setbacks but may not occupy more than 20 sq ft of the setback
- 3Sills and ornamental features — may project up to 2 ft into any setback
- 4Fire escapes — may project up to 5 ft into any required setback
- 5Cornices and eaves — may extend up to 5 ft into required setback, but shall remain at least 2 ft from the property line
- 6Marquee signs and awnings — may extend into setback
- 7Security gates and guard stations — may be located within required setback
- 8At-grade patios, decks, uncovered terraces, uncovered steps, and handicapped access ramps — may extend into any required setback
- 9Mechanical equipment for residences — may extend into required setback but shall remain at least 5 ft from the property line
- 10Bay windows, entrances, balconies, portals, and similar features — may extend up to 2 ft into required setbacks, but shall remain at least 5 ft from the property line
- 11Pedestrian, bike, or equestrian pathways or trails; leach fields; retention ponding
- 12Garages with alley access — may extend into the rear setback
- 13An addition to an existing structure legally located within a setback may be built within the setback, provided the addition will not be built closer than the existing structure is to the property line
- 14Where setback requirements prohibit development of a legal lot of record, the Administrator may allow a reduction of the setback(s) to a minimum of 5 ft
Other County Setback Notes
§7.3.3.4
Fire-Resistant Materials
A reduced side yard setback may be permitted where fire-resistant materials are used consistent with the New Mexico Fire Code and the Santa Fe County Fire Code. The road, side, and rear setback standards shall still apply around the perimeter of an attached housing development.
§7.3.3.2
Road Setbacks on Plats
Front and side setbacks adjacent to roads shall be shown on all plats as required by the SLDC. The setbacks provided on plats are minimum setbacks — an applicant may elect to create greater setbacks. A setback shown on a recorded plat that is greater than the SLDC minimum governs.
§7.17.4
No-Build Areas
No-build areas shall be identified on any plat and site development plan. These include: rock outcroppings, wetlands, riparian areas, arroyos and natural drainage ways; setbacks from ridgetops and natural streams; areas with natural slopes ≥30%; and access or other easements in which development is prohibited.
§7.17.1 — Purposes & Applicability
What Terrain Management Is Designed to Do
- 1Protect water quality and the natural character of the land
- 2Minimize soil and slope instability, erosion, sedimentation, and stormwater runoff
- 3Protect and retain rugged and steep terrain, natural landmarks, and prominent natural features as open space
- 4Adapt development to existing natural topography, soils, vegetation, geology, and hydrology — by minimizing cuts/fills, blending graded areas with natural terrain, and careful phasing of revegetation
- 5Preserve natural drainage patterns and protect the public from flooding, erosion, and landslides
- 6Encourage minimum disturbance to natural areas by locating roads, driveways, and utilities to minimize scarring
Applicability: All development shall comply with the standards of §7.17 without exception.
§7.17.3–7.17.4 — Buildable Area & No-Build Areas
§7.17.3
Buildable Area Requirements
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Designation | A buildable area must be identified on all plats and site development plans |
| Minimum size | 2,000 sq ft including all required working areas (does not apply to high-density PD or MU) |
| Development limit | Development shall occur only within the designated buildable area |
| Alternative | Administrator may approve alternative buildable area on proof of SLDC compliance |
§7.17.4
No-Build Areas (Always Prohibited)
- ✗Rock outcroppings, wetlands, riparian areas, arroyos, and natural drainage ways
- ✗Setback areas from ridge tops, ridges, and natural streams and drainage ways
- ✗Areas with natural slopes of 30% or greater
- ✗Access easements and other easements in which development is prohibited
§7.17.6 — Grading, Clearing & Grubbing
Rules for All Grading Activity
- 1A development permit must be obtained before any grading, clearing, or grubbing. (Not required for routine driveway maintenance; required for major changes or capital improvements.)
- 2Grading and clearing of native vegetation is limited to approved buildable areas, roads/driveways, drainage facilities, wastewater systems, and utility corridors
- 3Topsoil from graded areas shall be stockpiled for use in revegetation
- 4Limits of disturbance (LOD) fencing or construction barriers must be installed before any grading begins
- 5No grading permitted within 1 ft of a property line (except for roads, driveways, and utilities)
- 6Temporary fencing shall be installed to protect natural vegetation outside disturbance area
- 7Retaining walls shall not exceed 10 ft in height
§7.17.9 — Steep Slopes, Ridge Tops, Ridgelines & Shoulders
Applies to: Any structure on a slope exceeding 15%, any area where slope exceeds 30%, and any ridge, ridge top, ridgeline, or shoulder. Where a ridgetop is more than 500 ft from shoulder to shoulder, standards apply within 200 ft of the shoulder.
§7.17.9.2
Slope Development Standards
| Condition | Rule |
|---|---|
| Ridge top / ridgeline / shoulder | No structure allowed unless no other buildable area exists on the property. Only single-story structures permitted. |
| Buildable area on ridge/shoulder | Must be set back 25 ft from the shoulder |
| Slope ≥ 30% | No structure may be constructed. Utilities, drainage, slope retention, and access roads may be placed on ≥30% slopes if disturbance is limited to ≤3 separate areas of ≤1,000 sq ft each. |
| Slope 15–30% (finished floor) | Finished floor elevation shall not exceed 5 ft above natural grade at any point |
| Slope instability / hazards | No structure where evidence exists of instability, rock falls, landslides, or other hazards |
| Significant trees on ≥30% slopes | No significant trees may be removed |
§7.17.9.3
Height Limits — Slopes & Ridges
| Location | Max Height | Additional Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Slope ≥ 15% | 18 ft | Distance from highest point of structure to lowest point at natural/finished cut grade: max 30 ft (unless ≥15% portion is incidental to the entire site) |
| Ridge / ridgeline / shoulder | 14 ft, 1 story | Exception: a 1-story pitched roof structure may reach 18 ft if screened from view from any arterial or major arterial road |
These limits supersede base district height maximums whenever the slope or ridgeline triggers apply.
§7.17.9.4
Architectural Standards — Steep Slopes
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Site design on slopes >15% | Structure must follow contours to minimize cuts and fills; must solidly meet the ground plane |
| Pier foundations | Must be enclosed so exterior walls appear to meet the ground; shall not exceed 5 ft above natural grade |
| Colors & materials (visible from roads) | Muted, non-reflective/non-glossy; Light Reflective Value (LRV) < 40% |
| Landscaping | Required for cut/fill slopes >4 ft; min 50% of visible cut/fill slope and building facade must be landscaped |
§7.17.10 — Development at or above 7,400 Feet Elevation
All general terrain standards (§7.17.1–7.17.9) continue to apply at ≥7,400 ft, with the following additional requirements layered on top. These are among the most restrictive rules in the SLDC.
Every lot or parcel at ≥7,400 ft must be formally analyzed. A buildable area must satisfy all three criteria:
| # | Criterion |
|---|---|
| 1 | Average slope of the buildable area is < 20% — only 50% of any structure may sit on slope between 20–30% |
| 2 | Soils within the area are acceptable for construction of foundations |
| 3 | Buildable area must be closest to the nearest pre-existing public or private road or ROW, unless that would make the structure visible from a major arterial or conflict with terrain standards |
Every proposed development site at ≥7,400 ft must be evaluated for visibility from a major arterial. The analysis must include:
- 1White story poles at every corner and on the pitch of any proposed structure, at the proposed height
- 2Telephoto photographs or computer simulations from the nearest major arterial road with a view of the site
- 3Viewpoints approved by the Administrator before the analysis; Administrator may require additional viewpoints
If visible from a major arterial, applicant must consider: (a) a less visible site; (b) adjusting lot lines or roads; or (c) additional screening, buffering, or setbacks.
| Standard | Limit |
|---|---|
| Total disturbed area per lot | Max 12,000 sq ft |
| Primary driveway disturbance | Excluded from the 12,000 sq ft calculation |
| Construction staging areas | Must be fenced prior to construction |
| Revegetation required | All disturbed area not occupied by permanent improvements (utilities, leach fields, staging areas) |
| Walls & fences | Count toward disturbed area if impermeable to overland sheet flow or inhibit water infiltration |
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Maximum slope for roads/driveways | May not be designed or constructed on slopes exceeding 25% |
| Exception (Admin approval) | Allowed on slopes >25% only if: (a) ≤3 isolated disturbance areas of ≤1,000 sq ft each, and (b) applicant demonstrates minimal terrain and visual impact |
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Window & door glazing per façade | Max 30% |
| Glazing under portals ≥8 ft deep | Max 50% of that façade area |
| Glazing material | Non-mirrored; LRV < 20% |
| All other surfaces (visible from roads) | Muted, non-reflective; LRV < 40% |
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Setback from ridge / ridgetop / shoulder | 100 ft — reducible only if field inspection proves non-visibility from public ROW |
| Structures >4 ft visible from ROW | Screened with indigenous shrubs/trees matching on-site species |
| Structure 8–14 ft high | ≥1 indigenous evergreen so ≤50% of structure is exposed from tree top to highest point |
| Structure >14 ft high | ≥1 indigenous evergreen ≥8 ft tall within 15 ft; tree at maturity shall exceed structure height |
| Per linear wall | ≥1 tree ≥6 ft for every 15 linear ft of horizontal wall, within 15 ft of wall |
| Retaining walls | Max 5 ft per individual wall; if more needed, multiple walls set back min 6 ft face-to-face; setback area grading ≤1% cross slope |
Quick Reference — Height Limits by Terrain Condition
These terrain-based height caps apply countywide regardless of zoning district. They override the district maximum wherever the terrain trigger is met.
| Terrain Condition | Code § | Max Height | Key Additional Rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slope ≥ 30% | §7.17.9.2(3) | No structures permitted | Utilities/drainage/roads only; ≤3 disturbance areas of ≤1,000 sq ft each |
| Ridge / ridgeline / shoulder | §7.17.9.3(2) | 14 ft, 1 story only | 1-story pitched roof exception: up to 18 ft if screened from arterials; shoulder setback 25 ft |
| Slope ≥ 15% | §7.17.9.3(1) | 18 ft | Max 30 ft from structure's high point to lowest at natural/finished cut grade |
| Slope 15–30% (floor elevation) | §7.17.9.2(6) | Floor ≤ 5 ft above natural grade | Controls floor elevation, not total height — works alongside the 18 ft cap |
| Elevation ≥ 7,400 ft + ridge | §7.17.10.6 + §7.17.9.3 | 14–18 ft (slope rules apply) | 100 ft setback from ridge/ridgeline also required; visual impact study required |
| Elevation ≥ 7,400 ft (general flat/gentle slope) | §7.17.10 | District max — but additional process required | Buildable area analysis, story poles, visual impact study, 12,000 sq ft disturbance cap |