Key Facts Ordinance Text Full Breakdown Violations FAQ Sources More in Maricopa County

Maricopa County, AZ Building Setbacks & Zoning: Setback Rules (2026)

Some Restrictions

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

Key Facts

Front setback, RU-190: 60 feet
Front setback, R-2 to R-5: 10 feet
Side interior, R-2 to R-5: 5 feet
Rear setback range: 25 to 60 feet
Governing rule: MCZO Section 502

Summary

In unincorporated Maricopa County, residential zoning districts set minimum yard setbacks that scale with lot size: from 60 feet front and rear in RU-190 rural zones down to 10 feet front and 5 feet side in R-5 multifamily zones.

City-specific rules exist: Mesa, Phoenix, Surprise, Tempe, Goodyear, Peoria, Glendale, Chandler, Gilbert, and Scottsdale have their own setback rules rules that differ from Maricopa County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

Section 502. Rural & Residential Zoning Districts Development Standards ... Front (ft.) - setback minimums 60 60 40 40 18** 18** 18** 18** 18** 10 10 10 10 ... Side, interior (ft.) - setback minimums 30 30 20 20 10 7 7 5 5 5 5 5 5 ... Rear (ft.) - setback minimums 60 60 40 40 30 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 ... ** 10' minimum but no less than 18' to the plane of the front-facing garage.

Source: https://www.maricopa.gov/6159/Zoning-OrdinanceView official code

Full Breakdown

Maricopa County Zoning Ordinance Section 502 sets a sliding scale of yard setbacks for the county's thirteen rural and residential zoning districts, covering unincorporated land only. Front setbacks run 60 feet in RU-190 and RU-70, drop to 40 feet in RU-43 and R1-35, then to 18 feet in R1-18 through R1-6 (no less than 18 feet to the front-facing garage plane), and 10 feet in R-2 through R-5. Side interior setbacks range from 30 feet in the largest rural zones down to 5 feet in the densest multifamily zones, and rear setbacks run from 60 feet down to 25 feet. Accessory structures follow a separate, smaller setback table in the same section.

Violations & Fines

Building within a required setback without a permit is a class 2 misdemeanor under MCZO Article 1203.1, with each day of the violation a separate offense; civil penalties up to the same maximum fine can also apply under Article 1203.2.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the setbacks in the RU-190 rural zone?

Front and rear setbacks are each 60 feet, and both side street and side interior setbacks are 30 feet, per MCZO Section 502's Rural & Residential Development Standards table.

Do these county setbacks apply inside Phoenix or Scottsdale?

No. These are unincorporated Maricopa County zoning standards; each incorporated city sets and enforces its own zoning code independently of the county.

What happens if I build within the required setback?

It's a class 2 misdemeanor under MCZO Article 1203.1, with each day of the violation a separate offense, and civil penalties can also apply.

Sources & Official References

[1]Maricopa County Zoning Ordinance (Adopted Regulations)

Other rules in Maricopa County

Structure Height LimitsSome Restrictions Lot Coverage LimitsSome Restrictions Fence Regulations: Material RestrictionsSome Restrictions Animal Ordinances: Pet Groomer RulesSome Restrictions Animal Ordinances: Mandatory Spay/NeuterFew Restrictions Fire Regulations: FireworksSignificant Restrictions Landscaping Rules: CompostingSome Restrictions Zoning Overlays & Bonuses: Specific Plans OverviewSome Restrictions

All Maricopa County rules

Compare Maricopa County to another location·View the Arizona building setbacks & zoning overview

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 Maricopa County

Phoenix, AZ Mesa, AZ Scottsdale, AZ Chandler, AZ Gilbert, AZ Glendale, AZ Tempe, AZ Peoria, AZ Surprise, AZ Goodyear, AZ