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

Sec. 21-4200 of Commerce City's Land Development Code requires that setbacks for all principal structures in every zoning district stay open and unobstructed, though cornices, bay windows, and similar architectural features may project up to one foot into a setback, and the building official can allow fire escapes, open stairs, and chimneys within a setback if they don't block light and ventilation. Balconies, enclosed porches, and patio covers must meet the same front, side, and rear yard setbacks as the principal structure itself. For the R-1 Single-Family Detached Residential District, Table IV-3 sets the minimum front yard setback at 10 feet, with garages required to sit back at least 20 feet, and caps the front yard setback at 50 feet for new dwellings.

The minimum interior side yard setback is 5 feet, rising to 10 feet on a corner lot and 25 feet where the corner lot faces a collector or arterial street. The minimum rear yard setback is 20 feet. Accessory structure setbacks are governed separately under article V. A minor modification of up to 50 percent of a minimum fence setback, or up to 20 percent of most other minimum or maximum standards, can be approved administratively by the director under Sec. 21-3215, while larger deviations require a variance from the board of adjustment under Sec. 21-3222, which the board may grant only where the property's physical character creates a hardship not shared by similarly zoned land nearby.