Benton County, WA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Setback Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Road setback (dwelling)
- 55 ft from centerline or 25 ft from ROW
- Rear setback, dwelling
- 25 feet
- Rear/alley setback, accessory
- 10 feet
- Side setback
- 10 feet
- Ag-land buffer
- 150 feet from GMAAD/orchard/vineyard
- Governing section
- BCC 11.06.090(a)
Summary
In unincorporated Benton County's Community Center Residential (CCR) District, dwellings need a 55-foot setback from a public road centerline (or 25 feet from the right-of-way line, whichever is greater), 25 feet from rear parcel lines, and 10 feet from side lines; accessory buildings drop to a 10-foot rear and alley setback. BCC 11.06.090(a) sets these figures, with a special 150-foot buffer near agricultural land.
(1) Each dwelling unit, accessory building, and accessory use on a parcel shall have a setback of fifty-five (55) feet from the centerline of any public road right-of-way or twenty-five (25) feet from the property line bordering any public road right-of-way, whichever is greater; and a setback of twenty-five (25) feet from the closest edge of any legally-established boundary line of a private access easement. (2) Each dwelling unit shall have a setback of twenty-five (25) feet from the rear parcel lines. ... (4) Each dwelling unit, accessory building, and accessory use on a parcel shall have a setback of ten (10) feet from the side parcel lines.
Full Breakdown
090, "Property Development Standards-Setback Requirements," lays out the minimum yard setbacks for the Community Center Residential (CCR) District. Under subsection (a)(1), every dwelling unit, accessory building and accessory use needs a setback of fifty-five (55) feet from the centerline of a public road right-of-way, or twenty-five (25) feet from the property line bordering that right-of-way, whichever is greater, plus twenty-five (25) feet from the edge of any private access easement. Subsection (a)(2) sets a 25-foot rear setback for dwelling units, while (a)(3) drops accessory buildings and accessory uses to a 10-foot setback from alleys and rear parcel lines.
Subsection (a)(4) sets a flat 10-foot side setback for dwellings, accessory buildings and accessory uses alike. Livestock shelters and coops need at least a 30-foot setback from every property line (a)(5). Minor projections get relief: cornices, eaves, chimneys and uncovered stairways may extend 3 feet into a required setback (a)(6), and uncovered porches, platforms or landings may extend 6 feet in, but no closer than 5 feet to any parcel line (a)(7). A distinct agricultural buffer applies too: dwellings and swimming pools need a 150-foot setback from any parcel in the Growth Management Agricultural Act District (GMAAD) or from an adjacent orchard, hop field or vineyard of 10 acres or more (a)(8).
18. These standards, from Ord. 611 (2018) Section 20, apply only in unincorporated Benton County; Kennewick, Richland, West Richland and Prosser set their own municipal setback tables.
Violations & Fines
Building or placing a structure inside these minimum setbacks is a Title 11 zoning violation, enforced by the Planning Administrator and Building Official under BCC 11.43.010. A first violation is a civil infraction carrying a penalty up to $500 plus court costs and restitution (BCC 11.43.170(a)); a second violation of the same setback standard is charged as a misdemeanor (BCC 11.43.170(b)). The county may also seek injunctive relief to compel removal of an encroaching structure (BCC 11.43.030).
Frequently Asked Questions
How far back from the road does my house need to be in the CCR District?
What is the side yard setback in unincorporated Benton County's CCR District?
Is there a special setback near vineyards or orchards?
Can a porch extend into the required setback?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Benton County
Compare Benton County to another location·View the Washington building setbacks & zoning overview
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