Everett, WA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Setback Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- NR-C front setback
- 20 feet
- NR front setback
- 10 feet
- NR-C side interior
- 5 feet
- Urban/mixed-use zones
- Generally no setback required
- Governing section
- EMC 19.06.020, Table 6-2
Summary
Everett sets minimum building setbacks by zoning district under Table 6-2: single-family NR-C lots need a 20-foot front setback and 5-foot side setbacks, while many mixed-use and urban residential zones require none at all.
A. Minimum Building Setbacks for Principal Structures. The standards set forth in Table 6-2 below apply to all new development. Also refer to Chapter 19.22 EMC, Building and Structure Heights. ... Footnotes: (1)Twenty-five feet when abutting lots located in residential zones. (2)Ten feet when abutting lots located in residential zones, except within centers.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 4194-26, passed July 29, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Everett Municipal Code § 19.06.020 and Table 6-2 set minimum building setbacks by zone. In the NR-C single-family zone, front setback is 20 feet, rear (no alley) 20 feet, and side interior 5 feet. In the NR zone, front drops to 10 feet and side interior to 5 feet. Urban residential and mixed-use zones (UR4 through MU25) generally require no setback except where they abut a residential zone. Light industrial (LI) requires a 20-foot front setback, and agricultural (AG) requires 25 feet on front, rear, and side street. Existing homes built before current standards can use the average front setback of neighboring buildings under subsection B.
Violations & Fines
Building within the required front, side, or rear setback for the applicable zone without an approved modification or exception under EMC 19.06.030 violates the code and can require the structure to be moved or removed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far back must a house sit from the front lot line in Everett?
Are older homes exempt from Everett's setback rules?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Everett
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Setback Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Snohomish County handle setback rules.