Clark County, WA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Setback Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Front setback
- 50 feet (rural districts)
- Side setback
- 25 ft street, 20 ft interior
- Rear setback
- 20 feet (rural districts)
- Near resource land
- Up to 50-150 ft
- Code section
- CCC 40.210.020, Table -3
Summary
In Clark County's rural residential districts (R-20, R-10, R-5), the minimum front setback is 50 feet from a road, side setback 25 feet from a street and 20 feet interior, and rear setback 20 feet. Greater setbacks apply near resource or surface-mining land.
Minimum side setback on each side of the residential dwelling and incidental buildings shall be twenty (20) feet unless fire regulations require a greater setback, and fifty (50) feet for accessory buildings used for agricultural purposes.
Full Breakdown
Clark County Code 40.210.020, Table 40.210.020-3, sets rural residential (R-20/R-10/R-5) setbacks: 50-foot front (from public road right-of-way, private road easement, or driveway easement), 25-foot side from a street, 20-foot interior side, and 20-foot rear. Minimum side setback on each side of a dwelling and incidental buildings is 20 feet unless fire regulations require more, and 50 feet for agricultural accessory buildings. Rear setbacks rise to 50 feet abutting natural-resource-zoned land and 150 feet abutting surface-mining land. Urban residential zones (R1-6, R1-7.5, etc.) have their own dimensional tables in CCC Chapter 40.220. Setback exceptions appear in CCC 40.200.070.
Violations & Fines
Structures encroaching into required setbacks are code violations; the county may deny permits, require relocation, or pursue enforcement and after-the-fact review.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the front setback for a rural home in Clark County?
Do these setbacks apply in urban Clark County neighborhoods?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Clark County
Compare Clark County to another location·View the Washington building setbacks & zoning overview
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