Green Bay, WI Building Setbacks & Zoning: Setback Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Front yard, R-1/R-2/RR
- 10 feet minimum
- Front yard, R-3
- 20 feet minimum
- Side yard
- 5 feet (6-8 ft in R-3)
- Rear yard
- 5 feet (25 ft in R-3)
Summary
Front-yard setbacks in Green Bay's residential districts run 10 feet in RR, R-1, and R-2, and 20 feet in R-3, with 5-foot side yards and rear yards from 5 to 25 feet depending on the district.
Lot area and setback requirements shall be as specified in Table 44-2, Lot Dimension and Setback Requirements... Building Setback Requirements (feet): Front yard 10 (RR), 10 (R-1), 10 (R-2), 20 (R-3). Side yard 5 ea. (RR/R-1/R-2), 6/8 ea. (R-3). Rear yard 5 (RR/R-1/R-2), 25 (R-3). Garages (attached) 18 (RR/R-1/R-2), 25 (R-3).
Full Breakdown
Table 44-2 under Sec. 44-554 sets the residential building setbacks by district. Front yards are 10 feet in RR, R-1, and R-2, rising to 20 feet in R-3. Side yards run 5 feet per side in RR through R-2 and 6 to 8 feet per side in R-3. Rear yards are 5 feet in RR, R-1, and R-2 but jump to 25 feet in R-3, and attached garages need 18 feet of setback (25 feet in R-3). Where at least half a block's frontage is already built up, the front setback can instead match the average of the existing houses on the block.
Violations & Fines
Building a house, addition, or attached garage closer to the lot line than Table 44-2 allows is a zoning violation under Sec. 44-198, subject to the Sec. 1-6 forfeiture of $1 to $500 per day the violation continues.
Frequently Asked Questions
How close to my property line can I build in Green Bay?
Can the setback be reduced to match my neighbors?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Green Bay
Compare Green Bay to another location·View the Wisconsin building setbacks & zoning overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Setback Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Brown County handle setback rules.