Burlington, WI Building Setbacks & Zoning: Setback Rules (2026)

The City of Burlington's Zoning Code sets minimum yard setbacks by district under Article II single-family standards and Article VI modifications. In the Rs-1 Single-Family Residence District, Burlington City Code Section 315-16F requires a minimum street yard of 25 feet from the right-of-way of all public streets, a minimum side yard of not less than eight feet on a side and not less than 20 feet total for both side yards, and a rear yard of not less than 25 feet. The Rs-2 district carries the identical 25-foot street yard, eight-foot side yard and 25-foot rear yard standard.

Multi-family districts scale up: the Rm-3 Low-Density Multiple-Family District requires a 30-foot front yard, 20-foot side yard, 30-foot side yard on a corner lot, and 50-foot rear yard, while the Rm-4 Multiple-Family District sets a 25-foot front yard and 25-foot rear yard. Corner lots citywide must provide a second street yard equal to the first under Section 315-57. Article VI further modifies these minimums: uncovered stairs, landings, and fire escapes may project up to six feet into a required yard under Section 315-54A, and detached accessory structures must sit at least three feet from any lot line and 10 feet from an alley line in residential districts under Section 315-54C(6). The average-street-yard rule in Section 315-56 lets a builder match neighboring setbacks instead of the strict minimum, down to 15 feet in residential districts.