Centennial, CO Building Setbacks & Zoning: Setback Rules (2026)

Section 12-3-301(B) sends residential lot and building standards to Table 12-3-301A, and the NC 9 row is the one that applies to a single-family detached home in that subdistrict. The row sets a 20 ft. front setback, a 10 ft. street side setback, a 5 ft. interior side setback and a 16 ft. total side setback (S1 + S2), plus a 20 ft. rear setback, a 30% building coverage ratio and a 30 ft. height limit. Minimum lot area and width are not in that table. Table 12-2-201B sets 9,000 sf. and 70 ft. for new lots created by subdivision or combination in NC 9, with maximum lot areas of 15,000 sf. interior, 25,000 sf. corner and 43,560 sf. (1 acre) cul-de-sac. Section 12-2-201(B) treats every lot that existed on the LDC's effective date as conforming, whatever its area or width.

Setbacks are measured under Section 12-3-202 from lot lines toward the center of the lot. The front lot line is the one abutting the right-of-way the lot takes its address from, the rear lot line is the one opposite it, side lot lines are those that intersect front lot lines, and street side setbacks run from street side lot lines. On a corner lot with standard curb radii, the front setback is not measured from the curved portion. If no clear access exists, the Director decides the front lot line from the intended orientation of the building and lot context.

Footnote 1, which the table attaches to its setback columns, adds one foot of setback for every foot of building height over 35 feet for buildings or portions of buildings within 50 feet of NC, NI-8 or NI-18 zone districts.

Section 12-3-301(A) adds a relief path. A proposed building, or an expansion beyond the existing foundation, in NC5, NC6, NC9, NC12 or NI that misses a Table 12-3-301A setback is judged under the alternative standards of Section 12-3-302 (detached homes), 12-3-303 (attached homes) or 12-3-304 (condominiums) instead. For sides, the alternative applies when an expansion would sit closer than the minimum side setback or leave the whole building under the 16 ft. total.