Tempe's Building Setbacks & Zoning: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles building setbacks & zoning a little differently. In Tempe, Arizona, there are 3 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Structure Height Limits

Tempe caps single-family and agricultural building height at 30 feet across the AG, R1-15, R1-10, R1-8, R1-7, R1-6 and R1-5 districts, rising to 35 feet in R1-4, under Table 4-202A of Section 4-202. A use permit can add another 10% on top of the table figure, and Section 4-205(A) lists specific exceptions to the flat cap.

Key details: Standard height cap: 30 feet (AG through R1-5). R1-4 district cap: 35 feet. R1-PAD: No fixed standard (NS). Use permit increase: Up to 10% more. ADU height rule: Matches main house's district limit.

Constructing a single-family residence, addition or accessory structure above the height limit in Table 4-202A without an approved use permit violates Section 1-201 of the Zoning and Development Code. The city can pursue a civil citation carrying a $100 to $1,000 sanction per day the structure remains out of compliance, or a class 1 misdemeanor charge with up to a $2,500 fine and six months in jail, and can require the excess height removed.

Lot Coverage Limits

Tempe caps how much of a single-family or agricultural lot a building can cover under Table 4-202A of Section 4-202. The AG district holds development to 25% of net site area, while every R1 district from R1-15 down to R1-6 allows up to 45% lot coverage; a use permit can raise that cap by another 10 percentage points, per the table's Use Permit Standard column.

Key details: AG district cap: 25% of net site area. R1-15 through R1-6 cap: 45% of net site area. R1-5/R1-4/R1-PAD: No fixed standard (NS). Use permit adjustment: Up to 10 points more. Governing table: Table 4-202A, Section 4-202.

Building beyond the lot coverage cap in Table 4-202A without an approved use permit is a Code violation under Section 1-201, chargeable against the property owner or occupant. The city can issue a civil citation with a $100 to $1,000 sanction for each day the excess coverage continues, or file a class 1 misdemeanor complaint in Tempe Municipal Court carrying up to a $2,500 fine and six months in jail.

Setback Rules

Tempe's Table 4-202A sets minimum front, side and rear yard setbacks for every agricultural and single-family district. Front building setbacks run from 40 feet in the AG district down to 15 feet in R1-PAD, side setbacks shrink from 20 feet to as little as 5 feet, and rear setbacks range from 35 feet to 15 feet, with a use permit able to reduce any of them by 20%.

Key details: Front setback range: 40 ft (AG) to 15 ft (R1-PAD). Side setback range: 20 ft (AG) to 5 ft (R1-PAD). Rear setback range: 35 ft (AG) to 15 ft (R1-PAD). Alley-adjacent lots: Measured from alley midpoint. Use permit reduction: Up to 20% less.

Constructing a building, addition, wall, fence, or open structure that encroaches into a required front, side or rear setback without an approved use permit or listed exception violates Section 1-201 of the Zoning and Development Code. Tempe can issue a civil citation carrying a $100 to $1,000 sanction per day the encroachment remains, or prosecute the violation as a class 1 misdemeanor punishable by up to a $2,500 fine and six months in jail.

The Bottom Line

Tempe's building setbacks & zoning rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Tempe is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Tempe can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.