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Auburn, AL Building Setbacks & Zoning: Lot Coverage Limits (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

ISR, lots under 20,000 sq ft
0.35 maximum
ISR, lots 30,000-39,999 sq ft
0.26 base tier
ISR, lots 40,000+ sq ft
0.24 base, 0.20 above 39,999 sf
NC District ISR range
0.15 to 0.50 by zone
Governing table
Zoning Ordinance Table 5-1
Max penalty
$500 fine, 6 months jail

Summary

Auburn caps how much of a conventional-subdivision lot can be covered by impervious surface through a sliding Maximum ISR in Table 5-1, running from 0.35 on typical lots under 20,000 square feet down to about 0.20-0.26 on lots over 30,000 square feet.

Table 5-1: Lot Area, Setbacks, Maximum Impervious Surface, and Parking Requirements for Conventional Subdivisions (except NC districts: See Table 5-2)... 10,000 - 19,999 70 0.35 25 6 20 15 20 2 ... less than 10,000 60 0.35 25 6 20 15 20 2 ... Impervious surface ratio (ISR): A measure of the intensity of land use, which is determined by dividing the total area of all impervious surfaces on a development site by the total area of the site.

View official code

Full Breakdown

35 for every lot smaller than 20,000 square feet, covering both the 10,000-19,999 square foot tier and lots under 10,000 square feet. 20 for any area beyond that on lots of 40,000 square feet or more. The Ordinance defines ISR in Section II as the total area of all impervious surfaces on a site divided by the total site area, and impervious-surface measurements exclude the water surface area of swimming pools. 50 on the smallest NC-4 zone lots, again scaled to lot size. Table 5-1 pairs the ISR cap with the same lot's minimum street-yard, side-yard and rear-yard setbacks, so a builder checks both limits together during site plan review.

Violations & Fines

Exceeding a lot's Maximum ISR is a Zoning Ordinance violation subject to Section 909: a fine of up to $500, up to six months in city jail, or both, with each day the excess impervious surface remains treated as a separate offense. The Planning Director reviews ISR compliance as part of site plan and building permit approval before construction proceeds.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the maximum lot coverage allowed in Auburn, Alabama?
It depends on lot size under Table 5-1 of Zoning Ordinance § 502.01. Standard lots under 20,000 square feet cap impervious surface at 0.35 of the lot, with the ratio stepping down to about 0.20-0.26 on lots over 30,000 square feet.
Does a swimming pool count toward Auburn's impervious surface limit?
The pool structure counts, but the ordinance's impervious-surface measurement excludes the water surface area of swimming pools, per the definitions in the Zoning Ordinance.
Are Neighborhood Conservation District lots subject to the same coverage limit?
No. Table 5-2 sets separate maximum ISR figures for the NC District, ranging from 0.15 on the largest NC-150 lots up to 0.50 on the smallest NC-4 lots, instead of the Table 5-1 tiers used elsewhere.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Auburn

Animal Ordinances: Chickens & LivestockSome RestrictionsSetback RulesSome RestrictionsStructure Height LimitsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Abandoned VehiclesSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Fence Permit RequirementsSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Exotic PetsSignificant RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Pet LimitsSome RestrictionsFire Regulations: FireworksHeavy Restrictions

All Auburn rules

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