Jacksonville, FL Building Setbacks & Zoning: Setback Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- RLD-120/100A front setback
- 25 feet
- RLD-40 side setback
- 3 feet
- Rear yard, all RLD districts
- 10 feet
- Governing provision
- Zoning Code § 656.305(f)
- Front porch encroachment allowed
- 5 feet into front setback
Summary
Jacksonville's Zoning Code sets minimum front, side, and rear yard setbacks that vary by residential zoning district, from 25 feet in RLD-120 estate lots down to 3 feet in RLD-40 side yards.
(f)Minimum yard requirements. ...unenclosed front porches may extend five feet into the required front yard setback, and side opening garages may extend five feet into the required front yard setback as long as the garage doors do not face the street...(1)RLD-120:(i)Front—25 feet.(ii)Side—7.5 feet.(iii)Rear—10 feet....(4)RLD-90:(i)Front—20 feet.(ii)Side—5 feet.(iii)Rear—10 feet....(9)RLD-40:(i)Front—20 feet.(ii)Side—3 feet.(iii)Rear—10 feet.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 6 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Section 656.305 of the Zoning Code sets a separate yard setback table for each Residential Low Density (RLD) district, keyed to minimum lot width. RLD-120 and RLD-100A require a 25-foot front and 7.5-foot side setback; RLD-100B through RLD-60 step down to a 20-foot front and 5-foot side; RLD-40 allows just a 3-foot side setback. Rear yards are a uniform 10 feet across every RLD district. Unenclosed front porches may extend 5 feet into the required front setback, and side-entry garages may do the same as long as the garage door doesn't face the street. The Planning and Development Department checks these setbacks when it reviews a building permit application.
Violations & Fines
Building without meeting the required setback is a Zoning Code violation. The Planning and Development Department can deny the permit, red-tag construction, or require the encroaching structure be moved or removed at the owner's expense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do setbacks differ across Jacksonville's residential zones?
Can a porch or garage encroach into the front setback?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Jacksonville
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Jacksonville to another location·View the Florida building setbacks & zoning overview
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