Irving, TX Building Setbacks & Zoning: Setback Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Zoning districts
- 35 base districts, each own setbacks
- R-40 front setback
- 50 feet from front line
- R-40 rear setback
- 50 feet
- R-40 side setback
- 20 feet each side
- Detached accessory setback
- 80 feet from front lot line
- Zoning violation fine
- Up to $2,000 per offense
Summary
Irving sets minimum yard setbacks separately for each of its 35 zoning districts under the Unified Development Code. In the R-40 single-family district, principal structures must sit back 50 feet from the front property line, 50 feet from the rear line, and 20 feet on each side yard. Detached accessory buildings need at least 80 feet from the front lot line.
d) Area regulations:The following minimum requirements shall be required: 1) Depth of front yard: 50 feet (see Section 8.4.2, Established Front Yard, as applicable) 2) Depth of rear yard: 50 feet 3) Width of side yard: 20 feet (see Section 8.4.1, Corner Lots, as applicable) 4) Width of lot: 150 feet 5) Depth of lot: 150 feet 6) Land area per dwelling unit: 40,000 square feet 7) Only one (1) single-family detached dwelling shall be permitted on each lot or lot of record as the case may be.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4988517; v32 updated 2026-07-30).
Full Breakdown
The Irving Unified Development Code assigns area regulations to each of the city's 35 base zoning districts individually rather than applying one citywide setback. 1), a minimum lot width of 150 feet, a minimum lot depth of 150 feet, and 40,000 square feet of land area per dwelling unit. Only one single-family detached dwelling is permitted per lot of record. 4(b) requires that any detached private garage, guest quarters, or accessory structure sit at least 80 feet from the front lot line and at least 20 feet from any street right-of-way.
4(e) limits structures to 2½ stories or 30 feet and restricts building coverage to 20 percent of the lot. 9(d) drops the front setback to 15 feet, the rear setback to 10 feet for one story (15 feet for two stories), and the side setback to as little as 8 inches on one side. A builder must confirm the setback table for the specific base district on the property before pulling a building permit, since the Planning and Zoning Commission or City Council can also require greater setbacks under this chapter when traffic safety or community welfare warrants it.
Violations & Fines
Setback violations are treated as zoning offenses under Section 1-6 of the Code of Civil and Criminal Ordinances, which sets fines up to $2,000 per offense for zoning violations rather than the standard $500 cap that applies to most other code violations, and each day of continued violation is a separate offense. The building inspector cannot lawfully issue a permit for a structure that does not meet the district's area regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the front yard setback in Irving's R-40 district?
Do setback minimums change by zoning district in Irving?
What happens if a building violates Irving's setback rules?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Irving
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Irving to another location·View the Texas building setbacks & zoning overview
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Setback Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Dallas County handle setback rules.