Kenner, LA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Setback Rules (2026)

The Kenner Unified Development Code sets the yard requirements for the city's three single-family residential zones, R-1, R-1A and RR-1, in Section 6.05(f), Site Development Regulations. Every lot must have a front yard depth of not less than 20 feet, and on through lots the front yard requirement applies on both streets. Side yards must together total at least 20 percent of the lot's width, but neither side yard may be less than 5 feet, and the two side yards combined need not exceed 12 feet.

On corner lots, the side yard abutting the side street must be at least 10 feet unless another provision says otherwise. The rear yard must be at least 20 percent of the lot's depth, with a floor of 15 feet and a ceiling of 25 feet, so a very deep lot does not have to sacrifice more than 25 feet to the rear setback. These numbers apply regardless of whether the R-1 lot is the code's standard 6,600-square-foot minimum, the 6,000-square-foot R-1A minimum, or the smaller 5,000-square-foot RR-1 minimum.

The Director of the Planning and Zoning Department administers Section 6.05 under Section 4.02, and building permits are refused under Section 4.03 until the setbacks are shown on submitted plans. A property owner who believes strict application of these setbacks creates an unnecessary hardship can apply to the Board of Zoning Adjustments for a variance, but the Board must find all nine hardship criteria in Section 4.03(c)(3)(e) are met, and no use variance may be granted because that would constitute a spot zone.