Dublin, CA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Setback Rules (2026)

Building setbacks in Dublin are governed by the Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 8.36 (Development Regulations), with residential standards in Section 8.36.020 (Agricultural and Residential Development Regulations). The chapter's purpose is to set development standards for lot area, lot width, setbacks, distance between residences, lot coverage, yards, and height limits to secure provisions for light, air, privacy, and safety. For the R-1 single-family district, the side yard setback is a minimum of 5 feet plus one foot for each full 10 feet by which the lot width exceeds the minimum lot width, up to a maximum of 10 feet, so wider lots carry a larger side setback. Rear setbacks are measured at right angles to the rear lot line and side setbacks at right angles to the side lot line. Certain building roof and wall features and equipment may extend into a required front or rear setback a maximum of 5 feet, provided equipment (other than window-mounted air conditioners) is screened from the public road. Front and rear yard minimums differ by zoning district and are listed in the development-regulations table; this page does not invent specific front or rear figures because the exact numbers vary by district and lot. A large share of Dublin housing sits in Planned Development (PD) zoning, where setbacks come from the adopted PD plan rather than the base R-1 standards. Confirm your property's exact setbacks with the Planning Division at (925) 833-6610.