Doña Ana County, NM Building Setbacks & Zoning: Setback Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- D1 front setback
- 20 feet minimum
- D1 side/rear setback
- 10 feet minimum
- Rural R5 front setback
- 25 feet minimum
- Administrative adjustment
- Up to 20%, Zoning Administrator
- Railroad-adjacent setback
- 40 feet minimum
Summary
In the D1 Low Density Residential zone, homes must sit back 20 feet from the primary frontage, 5 feet from a secondary frontage, and 10 feet from both side and rear property lines under UDC Table 5.8; rural R5 lots use a deeper 25-foot front setback instead.
Principal building, accessory building, setbacks and building height. One principal building shall be built at the primary frontage. Required building placement, setbacks and building heights shall conform to Tables 5.4 through 5.17. ... 5. Principal Building E Primary frontage: 20 feet (minimum) F Secondary frontage: 5 feet (minimum) G Side setback: 10 feet (minimum) H Rear: 10 feet (minimum)
Full Breakdown
" Accessory buildings in the same D1 zone get their own, tighter setbacks: 25 feet from the primary frontage, 5 feet from the secondary frontage, and 5 feet on both the side and rear. 10) tightens the primary frontage to 15 feet. " Two special rules override the table figures: rear or side setbacks abutting railroad tracks must be at least 40 feet under § 350-502D(4), and § 350-502D(6) requires at least six feet of separation between detached buildings on the same lot.
Violations & Fines
Building into a required setback, closer than 20 feet from the front lot line, 10 feet from the side or rear in the D1 zone, or the equivalent figures in another zone, without an approved administrative adjustment or variance is a zoning violation subject to a stop-work order, and an encroaching structure cannot obtain a certificate of occupancy until the setback is corrected or a variance is granted under § 350-207.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far from the street does my house have to be in Doña Ana County?
What are the side and rear setbacks for a typical house?
Can the County reduce my required setback?
Is there a special setback near railroad tracks?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Doña Ana County
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