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Maricopa, AZ Building Setbacks & Zoning: Lot Coverage Limits (2026)

Some Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

RS-1 max coverage, one story: 40% of net lot area
RS-5 max coverage, one story: 55% of net lot area
Two/three-story reduction: 5 percentage points lower than one-story cap
Excluded accessory structure: Under 120 sq ft and under 7 ft high (one only)
Clustered development standard: 50% coverage or as approved by PAD

Summary

Maricopa caps how much of a residential lot can be covered by buildings, scaling from 40% in the largest-lot RS-1 district up to 55% in RS-5 for one-story homes, with lower caps for two- and three-story homes. Table 18.35.030 sets the percentages, and § 18.15.030(I) defines exactly what counts toward the total.

Determining Lot Coverage. Lot coverage is the ratio of the total footprint area of all structures on a lot to the net lot area, typically expressed as a percentage. The footprints of all principal and accessory structures, including garages, carports, covered patios, and roofed porches, shall be summed in order to calculate lot coverage. The following structures are excluded from the calculation: 1. Unenclosed and unroofed decks, uncovered patio slab, porches, landings, and stairways less than 30 inches above grade; 2. Eaves and roof overhangs projecting up to two-and-one-half feet from a wall... Maximum Lot Coverage: One Story RS-1 40%, RS-3 45%, RS-4 50%, RS-5 55%; Two/Three stories RS-1 35%, RS-3 40%, RS-4 45%, RS-5 50%.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 26-10, passed April 21, 2026).

Full Breakdown

Table 18.35.030 of the Maricopa City Code sets Maximum Lot Coverage by district and building height: RS-1 allows 40% for one story and 35% for two or three stories; RS-3 allows 45% one-story and 40% two/three-story; RS-4 allows 50% one-story and 45% two/three-story; and RS-5, the smallest-lot district, allows 55% one-story and 50% two/three-story.

MCC § 18.15.030(I) defines lot coverage as the ratio of the total footprint area of all structures on a lot to the net lot area, expressed as a percentage. Footprints of all principal and accessory structures, including garages, carports, covered patios, and roofed porches, are summed to calculate the total. Five categories are excluded from that calculation: unenclosed and unroofed decks, uncovered patio slabs, porches, landings and stairways under 30 inches above grade; eaves and roof overhangs projecting up to 2.5 feet from a wall; trellises and similar structures with no roof; swimming pools and hot tubs not enclosed in a roofed structure or deck; and one nonhabitable accessory structure under 120 square feet and under 7 feet high (a second such structure counts toward coverage).

Clustered developments in RS-3, RS-4, RS-5 and RM districts, approved through a development review permit under MCC § 18.35.030(D), instead follow a 50% lot coverage standard, or as approved through a Planned Area Development.

Exceeding the coverage limit without an approved exception or variance is enforced the same way as any other zoning code violation, under MCC § 18.190.060, and a property owner seeking relief from the standard must apply for a variance through the hearing officer under MCC Chapter 18.160, appealable to the city council within 10 days.

Violations & Fines

Lot-coverage violations fall under MCC § 18.190.060's general zoning penalties: an infraction carries a base fine up to $100 for a first offense, up to $200 for a second on the same property within a year, and up to $500 for further repeats, or the city can instead prosecute a misdemeanor punishable by a $500-$1,000 fine and up to six months in county jail. Civil penalties of up to $1,000 per day of continuing violation also apply.

Frequently Asked Questions

What percentage of my lot can I build on in Maricopa?

It depends on your zoning district and story count. RS-1 allows 40% one-story/35% two-three story; RS-3 45%/40%; RS-4 50%/45%; and RS-5 55%/50%, all set by Table 18.35.030 of the Maricopa City Code.

What counts toward lot coverage?

The footprint of every principal and accessory structure, including garages, carports, covered patios and roofed porches, per MCC § 18.15.030(I). Uncovered decks, small overhangs, trellises, unenclosed pools and one small accessory structure under 120 square feet are excluded.

Does a shed count against my lot coverage?

Only if it's your second accessory structure, or the first exceeds 120 square feet or 7 feet in height. One nonhabitable accessory structure under those thresholds is excluded under MCC § 18.15.030(I)(5).

Is lot coverage different for clustered developments?

Yes. Clustered subdivisions approved under MCC § 18.35.030(D) in RS-3, RS-4, RS-5 or RM districts follow a 50% lot coverage standard, or a different figure approved through a Planned Area Development.

What's the penalty for exceeding the lot coverage limit?

It's enforced under MCC § 18.190.060 as an infraction, with fines from $100 up to $500 for repeat violations on the same property, or as a misdemeanor carrying a $500-$1,000 fine and up to six months in jail, plus possible civil penalties up to $1,000 per day.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Maricopa

Parking Rules: Street Parking LimitsSome Restrictions Noise Ordinances: Quiet HoursSome Restrictions Setback RulesSome Restrictions Parking Rules: RV & Boat ParkingSignificant Restrictions Structure Height LimitsSome Restrictions Noise Ordinances: Vehicle NoiseSome Restrictions Parking Rules: EV ChargingSome Restrictions Parking Rules: Curb Color RulesSome Restrictions

All Maricopa rules

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