Fort Myers, FL Building Setbacks & Zoning: Setback Rules (2026)

Fort Myers residential dimensional standards under LDC § 118.2: (a) RS-E (Estate) — 32,000 sq ft min lot, 85 ft min width, 20 ft front / 10 ft interior side / 10 ft rear, max height 35 ft, max lot coverage 35%; (b) RS-5 (Single-Family) — 8,000 sq ft min lot, 80 ft min width, 20/10/10, 35 ft height, 35% coverage; (c) RS-6 (Single-Family) — 7,000 sq ft min lot, 70 ft min width, 20/10/10, 35 ft height, 40% coverage; (d) RS-7 (Single-Family) — 5,000 sq ft min lot, 50 ft min width, 20 ft front / 7 ft interior side (10 ft on the second side or street side) / 10 ft rear, 35 ft height, 40% coverage; (e) RS-D (Duplex) — same dimensions as RS-7; (f) RM-12 (Low Density Multifamily) — 5,000 sq ft min lot, 50 ft min width, 20/7-10/10, 45 ft height, 45% coverage; (g) RM-16 (Medium Density Multifamily) — 5,000 sq ft min lot, 50 ft min width, 20/7-10/10, 70 ft or 5 stories height, 45% coverage. All districts require a 25-foot front setback for any garage door facing a public right-of-way, and a 25-foot waterfront setback citywide. Detached accessory structures under 200 sq ft in residential districts may use a reduced 5-foot side and rear yard setback (LDC § 118.3.4.A); larger accessory structures must meet the zone's full setbacks. Corner lots have a primary front and a secondary front; for lots over 80 ft wide the secondary front is 20 ft, and for lots under 50 ft the minimum side yard is 12.5 ft. New buildings abutting an existing RS district are subject to a 35-foot bulk plane at the side/rear setback line that steps back one foot for each additional foot of building height.