Fall River, MA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Setback Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- S District front yard
- 25 feet minimum
- R-8 District front yard
- 20 feet minimum
- R-80 District setbacks
- 75 ft front/rear, 50 ft side
- R-4 District side yard
- 10 feet minimum
Summary
Fall River sets minimum front, side, and rear yard setbacks by zoning district, from 12-foot fronts in dense business zones up to 75-foot yards in the low-density R-80 district.
Single-Family S: Minimum Front Yard 25 ft, Minimum Side Yard 15 ft, Minimum Rear Yard 25 ft. Single-Family R-80: Minimum Front Yard 75 ft, Minimum Side Yard 50 ft, Minimum Rear Yard 75 ft. Two-Family R-4: Minimum Front Yard 15 ft, Minimum Side Yard 10 ft, Minimum Rear Yard 20 ft.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4739915; v14 updated 2025-12-23; through 12-23-2025).
Full Breakdown
The Fall River Table of Dimensional Regulations (adopted by City Code § 86-35) fixes minimum yard setbacks per zone. Examples: Single-Family S, 25-foot front, 15-foot side, 25-foot rear; R-8, 20-foot front, 15-foot side, 20-foot rear; R-80, 75-foot front, 50-foot side, 75-foot rear; Two-Family R-4, 15-foot front, 10-foot side, 20-foot rear. No existing lot may be reduced below these minimums, per § 86-35 and the district provisions incorporating the table.
Violations & Fines
Building within the required setback without an approved variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals is a zoning violation and can block issuance of a building permit or certificate of occupancy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum front yard setback in Fall River's S district?
Can an existing undersized lot keep a smaller setback?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fall River
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Setback Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Bristol County handle setback rules.