Flagstaff, AZ Building Setbacks & Zoning: Setback Rules (2026)

Section 10-40.30.030.C makes Table 10-40.30.030.C, Residential Zones - Building Form and Property Development Standards, the binding minimum-setback chart for every non-transect residential zone: RR, ER, R1, R1N, MR, HR, and MH. Front setbacks for the second floor and below run from 75 feet in the Rural Residential (RR) zone and 50 feet in Estate Residential (ER) down to 15 feet in R1, R1N and MH, and just 10 feet in the Medium and High Density Residential (MR, HR) zones; above the second floor, MR's front setback grows to 15 feet to match the other zones.

Interior side yard minimums range from a wide 20-foot minimum with a 45-foot total in ER down to just 5 feet in MR and HR, with RR at 10 feet, R1 at 8 feet, R1N at 6 feet, and MH at 8 feet. Rear setbacks run from a large 60 feet in ER and 25 feet in R1 down to 10 feet in MH, with RR at 10 feet, R1N, MR, and HR each carrying footnoted 15-foot minimums. For MR and HR, Section 10-40.30.030.G lets a developer trade that minimum rear setback for an open yard area of at least 350 square feet per dwelling unit instead, reducing the rear setback to no less than 6 feet if the open yard sits behind the front setback line and excludes any driving or parking surface.

Any reduction below these minimums outside that open-yard trade requires either a Planned Residential Development approved by the City Council on a recorded final plat or a minor modification permit capped at 5 percent or 2 feet, whichever is greater, under Section 10-20.40.090.