Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup
Key FactsOrdinance TextFull BreakdownViolationsFAQSourcesMore in King County

King County, WA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Setback Rules (2026)

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

Key Facts

Street setback, R-4 to R-48
10 feet
Interior setback, R-4 to R-48
5 feet
Garage/carport street setback
20 feet
UR zone street setback
30 feet
Governing section
K.C.C. 21A.09H.030

Summary

Unincorporated King County sets a 10-foot minimum street setback and 5-foot interior setback in the R-4 through R-48 zones, with wider setbacks in UR and R-1.

City-specific rules exist: Renton, Kirkland, Kent, Auburn, Federal Way, and Seattle have their own setback rules rules that differ from King County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

21A.09H.030 Residential zones - density and dimensional standards... Urban Area Residential Density and Dimensional Standards... STANDARDS UR R-1 R-4 R-6 R-8 R-12 R-18 R-24 R-48 ... Minimum Street Setback (5) 30 ft (16) 20 ft (16) 10 ft 10 ft 10 ft 10 ft 10 ft 10ft 10 ft ... Minimum Interior Setback (5) 5 ft (16) 5 ft (16) 5 ft 5 ft 5 ft 5 ft 5 ft 5 ft 5 ft

Source: King County Code Title 21A ZoningView official code

Full Breakdown

King County Code § 21A.09H.030 sets the yard setbacks for unincorporated urban-area zones outside North Highline and Skyway-West Hill. In zones R-4 through R-48, the minimum street setback is 10 feet and the minimum interior (side/rear) setback is 5 feet, with garages, carports, and fenced parking pushed back 20 feet from the street. The lower-density UR zone requires a 30-foot street setback and 5-foot interior setback; R-1 requires 20 feet from the street. Setbacks are measured from the street right-of-way or its improved edge, and from interior lot lines, per K.C.C. 21A.12.110.

Violations & Fines

King County's Department of Local Services - Permitting Division enforces zoning through code compliance. Building within a required setback without an approved modification blocks permit issuance and can trigger a stop-work order and correction requirements until the encroaching structure is moved, altered, or removed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this cover Seattle or Bellevue?
No. This is the King County Code, which applies only in unincorporated areas. Seattle, Bellevue, Kent, Renton, Federal Way, Auburn, Redmond, Kirkland and roughly 30 other cities have their own zoning codes.
Are setbacks the same in every unincorporated zone?
No. R-4 through R-48 zones use a 10-foot street and 5-foot interior setback, but the lower-density UR zone requires 30 feet from the street and R-1 requires 20 feet.
Can I build closer than the minimum setback?
Only with an approved setback modification, such as the street-setback averaging allowed under K.C.C. 21A.12.130 for lots between nonconforming neighbors.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in King County

Lot Coverage LimitsSome RestrictionsStructure Height LimitsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Vehicle NoiseSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Aircraft NoiseFew RestrictionsParking Rules: Curb Color RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Fence Permit RequirementsLight RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Breed RestrictionsSignificant Restrictions

All King County rules

Compare King County to another location·View the Washington building setbacks & zoning overview

Get notified when Setback Rules in King County, WA changes

We'll email you the moment we detect a change in the code. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We'll never sell or share your email. One-click unsubscribe in every email.

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.

Setback Rules in Cities Across King County

Seattle, WABellevue, WAKent, WARenton, WAFederal Way, WAKirkland, WAAuburn, WARedmond, WA