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Clark County, IN Building Setbacks & Zoning: Setback Rules (2026)

Q: How far back from the road must a house sit in unincorporated Clark County?

It depends on the road's classification: § 156.22(G)(1) sets the R1 front setback at 50 feet from the center of a local street, 70 feet from the center of a major or minor collector, and 60 feet from the right-of-way of an interstate or arterial.

Q: What is the side setback for a house in the R1 district?

Section 156.22(G)(3) requires six feet on lots narrower than 100 feet and ten feet on lots 100 feet or wider.

Q: Is the rear setback the same for every lot?

In R1, yes: § 156.22(G)(2) sets a flat ten-foot rear setback, while accessory structures get a reduced five-foot side and rear setback under § 156.22(G)(4).

Some Restrictions

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

Key Facts

R1 rear setback: 10 feet
R1 side setback: 6 ft (<100 ft wide lot) / 10 ft (100+ ft)
R1 front setback, local street: 50 ft from road center
R1 front setback, major collector: 70 ft from road center
R1 front setback, interstate/arterial: 60 ft from right-of-way
Accessory structure side/rear: 5 feet

Summary

In the R1 Single-Family Residential district, unincorporated Clark County sets a ten-foot rear setback, a six-to-ten-foot side setback depending on lot width, and a front setback tied to the road's federal functional classification, ranging from 50 to 70 feet from the road center or right-of-way.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Clark County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

(G) Setback lines. The minimum setback lines for a lot used for a single-family dwelling shall be as follows:
(1) Front: the front yard setback shall be determined... (a) For lots located on a major collector, the front setback shall be a distance of 70 feet from the center of the paved roadway. (b) For lots located on interstates, expressways or other principal arterials, the front setback shall be a distance of 60 feet from the right-of-way. (c) For lots located on a minor collector, the front setback shall be 70 feet from the center of the paved roadway. (d) For local or minor streets, the front setback shall be 50 feet from the center of the paved roadway.
(2) Rear: the rear setback shall be ten feet.
(3) Side: the side setback shall be six feet for all lots less than 100 feet in width and ten feet for all lots 100 feet or more in width.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2019 S-0: Code: Local legislation current through Ordinance 31-2014, passed 12-18-2014).

Full Breakdown

" The same subsection fixes the rear setback at ten feet and the side setback at "six feet for all lots less than 100 feet in width and ten feet for all lots 100 feet or more in width," plus the five-foot side/rear setback that applies specifically to accessory structures. 21(F) uses an identical structure but a slightly different minor-collector front distance of 50 feet rather than R1's 70 feet. 47.

Violations & Fines

Building a structure inside the required front, side or rear setback is a zoning violation that the Plan Commission and Building Commissioner can enforce by denying or revoking an improvement location permit and ordering the encroaching structure removed or relocated. Property owners seeking relief from a setback must apply for a variance to the Board of Zoning Appeals under § 156.47; chapter 10's general penalty provisions apply where chapter 156 sets no specific fine.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far back from the road must a house sit in unincorporated Clark County?

It depends on the road's classification: § 156.22(G)(1) sets the R1 front setback at 50 feet from the center of a local street, 70 feet from the center of a major or minor collector, and 60 feet from the right-of-way of an interstate or arterial.

What is the side setback for a house in the R1 district?

Section 156.22(G)(3) requires six feet on lots narrower than 100 feet and ten feet on lots 100 feet or wider.

Is the rear setback the same for every lot?

In R1, yes: § 156.22(G)(2) sets a flat ten-foot rear setback, while accessory structures get a reduced five-foot side and rear setback under § 156.22(G)(4).

Sources & Official References

[1]Clark County Code of Ordinances § 156.22

Other rules in Clark County

Noise Ordinances: Construction HoursSome Restrictions Fence Regulations: Height LimitsSome Restrictions Lot Coverage LimitsSome Restrictions Structure Height LimitsSome Restrictions Noise Ordinances: Barking DogsSome Restrictions Noise Ordinances: Vehicle NoiseSome Restrictions Parking Rules: Abandoned VehiclesSome Restrictions Fence Regulations: Material RestrictionsLight Restrictions

All Clark County rules

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