FAQ's - Planning

Specific zoning information can be found on the Planning Services web page, Parcel Data Lookup screen. You will be asked to supply the parcel's APN or Assessor's Parcel Number. If you do not have the APN, select APN Lookup.

On the Parcel Data Lookup screen, enter the APN and click "submit." The Parcel Data screen will display with information such as, Acreage, Census Tract, Fire District, Flood Zone, General Plan Land Use, Rare Plate Mitigation, School District, Supervisorial District, Water District and Zoning. Click the section heading "Zoning Information" for a link to the Zoning Ordinance and information on the zoning district, allowed uses, required building setbacks and specific development standard. For questions regarding your parcel's zoning, you may contact the Planning Division at (530) 621-5355.

You may obtain a copy of an Assessor's Parcel Page, containing a general outline of your property, by contacting the County Assessor's office at (530) 621-5719. This diagram may provide the information you need. However, please be advised the Assessor's Parcel Pages are not surveys; they are prepared by the Assessor's office for tax assessment purposes only.

For some parcels, official recorded maps may be available in public records, including Record of Surveys, Parcel Maps and Subdivision Maps. For information regarding recorded maps or to obtain copies of recorded maps, you may contact the County Recorder-Clerk's office. 

Building permit records may also include a map of your parcel. Please contact the Building Division for building permit research.

Minimum building setbacks for each zoning district are outlined in the Zoning Ordinance. In order to find the specific setbacks for your zone, you will need to know your specific Zone District (i.e. R1, RE-10, CP, etc.). See "What is my parcel's zone district?" for more information.

If you already know your parcel's zoning district, go directly to the Adopted Zoning Ordinance, scroll through the Contents page and click your zoning designation. Setback information is contained in the Development Standards section. Please Note: Before beginning any project, contact Planning Services for additional special setbacks. Setbacks for agricultural, timber, water resource and/or wetland protection may also apply.

Minimum building setbacks are required for all permitted structures, or additions to existing structures, exceeding 30 inches in height. Setbacks are measured from the closest portion of the structure to either the property line or the edge of the County road and/or private road easement, whichever is closer to the project. Note: A project may have more than one front yard (road) setback. For more details, please refer to the handout: Measuring Building Setbacks

View Planning Services location, contact information and hours. Note: As all land use information is parcel-specific, it is strongly recommended that you provide either the Assessor's Parcel Number (APN) or numerical street address(es) of the parcel(s) you are inquiring about. If you do not have an APN or street address, you may contact the Assessor's Office for this information. You may also visit APN Lookup to help you find your parcel number.

Flood Zone information on a parcel can be found on the Planning Services web page, Parcel Data Lookup screen. You will be asked to supply the parcel's APN or Assessor's Parcel Number. If you do not have the APN, select APN Lookup first, then proceed to Parcel Data Lookup.

Parcels in El Dorado County have been assigned Flood Zones by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Find a listing of Flood Zones and definitions. This information may also be accessed by clicking Flood Zone Information on the Parcel Data screen. For more information, please visit FEMA's FAQs. Also included at this link is information on how to request a review of determination that your property is located in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA).

In coordination and consistent with FEMA requirements, the County of El Dorado regulates development in flood hazard areas through implementation of the Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance, Chapter 130.25 of the El Dorado County Zoning Ordinance. For additional flood zone questions, please contact Planning Services at (530) 621-5355.

Allowed uses for your parcel are determined by the zone district. You will be asked to supply the parcel's APN or Assessor's Parcel Number. If you do not have the APN, select APN Lookup first, then proceed to Parcel Data Lookup where specific zoning information can be found.

The Parcel Data screen displays information such as, Acreage, Census Tract, Fire District, Flood Zone, General Plan Land Use, Rare Plant Mitigation, School District, Supervisorial District, Water District and Zoning. Under the section heading "ZONING INFORMATION"  you will see your parcels zoning designation (R1, RE-5 etc.). To see information such as allowed uses, required building setbacks and specific development standards, see Zoning Ordinance Chapters; 130.21 for Agricultural, Rural and Resource Zones; 130.22 for Commercial Zones; 130.23 for Industrial and R&D Zones; 130.24 for Residential Zones and 130.25 for Special Purpose Zones.

The Use Matrix shows which uses are; allowed by right, shown as a P; allowed with a Conditional Use Permit, shown as CUP; allowed with a Temporary Use Permit, shown as TUP; allowed with a Minor Use Permit, shown as MUP; allowed with an Administrative Permit, shown with A and use not allowed in zone, shown as -- . A CUP is considered a "discretionary" action, and, therefore, all CUP requests are individually evaluated and heard at a public hearing. The final outcome (i.e. conditional approval, denial, etc.) of any CUP request will be determined by action(s) taken at the hearing. For more information on Conditional Use Permits, please see the application and checklist here.

Note: A building and/or grading permit may be required for new use(s) on your parcel. For building or grading permit information, please contact the Building Division.

The El Dorado County Zoning Ordinance is a permissive ordinance. This means that if a particular use is not listed under "Uses Permitted by Right" or "Uses Requiring a Conditional Use Permit," it is not allowed. See What are the allowed uses for my parcel? for instructions on finding your zoning designation and its allowed uses.

No residential zone district allows camping by right or by Conditional Use Permit. Selected commercial, agricultural and recreational zone districts allow campgrounds with an approved Conditional Use Permit. Camping is allowed in the Timber Preserve Zone District (TPZ) with some restrictions.

The El Dorado County Zoning Ordinance is a permissive ordinance. This means that if a particular use is not listed under "Uses Permitted by Right" or "Uses Requiring a Special Use Permit," it is not allowed. See What are the allowed uses for my parcel? for instructions on finding your zoning designation and its allowed uses.

If the growing of grapes for commercial purposes/cultivation of a vineyard is permitted on your parcel, the zoning definition will contact language in the "Uses Permitted by Right" section such as "…the cultivation of tree and field crops…"

If the sale of grapes is permitted on your parcel, the zoning definition will contain language such as "…the sale of such goods when produced on the premises and when in conformity with…", and/or "… packing and processing of agricultural products produced on the premises without changing the nature of the products…"

The El Dorado County Winery Ordinance, Chapter 130.14.200 of the Zoning Ordinance, regulates the operation of wineries on parcels. Winery-related uses and development standards are parcel-specific and are based upon many factors, including but not limited to your parcel's zoning designation, its location and adjacency to other parcels, size and complexity of winery uses and activities proposed. As always, if you have additional questions, please contact Planning Services.

The terms ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit), Granny Flat, Mother-in-Law Unit, Guest House and Second Residential Unit are often used interchangeably. However, the El Dorado County Zoning Ordinance provides distinctions and design criteria.

ADU's – often called Granny Flats or Mother-in-Law Units – are defined and regulated by Section 130.40.300 of the Zoning Ordinance. ADU's are permitted on all lots zoned for single-family residential uses, unless the parcel is encumbered by a Williamson Act Contract(PDF, 1MB).

For development standards and restrictions for ADU's please see the Zoning Ordinance chapter linked above.

For information regarding building permits or permit fees for ADU's, please contact the Building Division.

Please Note: For information on Guest Houses please see Section 130.40.150 of the Zoning Ordinance.

For information regarding TRPA coverage or any other TRPA questions, please contact the Building Division or TRPA.

A parcel can only be subdivided if a future subdivision would be consistent with all applicable Title 120 and Title 130 regulations (Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances), including but not limited to Zone District Development Standards, minimum lot sizes, parcel configurations, utility/water/waste regulations, Fire Safe regulations and road development standards. A potential subdivision must also be consistent with the parcel's General Plan Land Use Designation (LUD) and other applicable General Plan Policies. Subdivisions must also be consistent with the State Subdivision Map Act and regulations from other agencies.

Note: All subdivision requests (i.e. Tentative Subdivision Map or Tentative Parcel Map) are considered "discretionary" actions, and, therefore, subdivision requests will be individually evaluated and heard at public hearing. The final outcome (i.e. conditional approval, denial, etc.) of any subdivision request will be determined by action taken at the hearing.

• If requesting four parcels or less, you will submit the Parcel Map Tentative application.
• If requesting five parcels or more, the Subdivision Map Tentative application is required.

For additional information, please contact Planning Services staff.

Lot Line Adjustments or Boundary Line Agreements (BLA) are applied for when adjustments are requested between two to four existing adjacent or adjoining parcels. In a Lot Line Adjustment, lot lines are either adjusted between adjacent or adjoining parcels, or up to four adjacent parcels under one ownership can be merged into one parcel. In no instances is a new parcel created in the BLA process.

A BLA requires the approval of the Planning and Building Department, County Surveyor and the County Treasurer/Tax Collector. The initial application is submitted to the Surveyors Office to determine consistency with the Lot Line Adjustment Ordinance (see Chapter 120.53) and other applicable regulations. If consistent, your project will be approved and the application forwarded to the other County departments.

In general, legally permitted structures may be rebuilt if replacement structure(s) and associated use(s) will be consistent with applicable zoning regulations. Possible exceptions can be found in Adopted Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 130.20, Nonconforming Uses.

To determine if a structure was legally permitted, please contact Building Division for building permit research. A research fee may apply.

While Planning Services is not able to verify actual building conditions of a particular parcel (i.e. lot slopes, access to building site(s), type and location of vegetation, etc.), Planning Division staff can assist you with specific land use and development research to help you plan your project. For example, staff can review public records and determine if a parcel qualifies for development permits (building permits, grading permits, etc.), and if your development project may have significant Zoning Code or General Plan-imposed restrictions (i.e. flood zones, wetland areas, cemeteries, etc.). For more information, please contact the Planning Division.