In unincorporated Sarasota County, minimum front, side, and rear setbacks are set by zoning district under Article 6 of the Zoning Regulations. Residential single-family (RSF) districts require yards on all sides, with waterfront yards typically set back 20 feet. Structures may not be placed in a required yard.
Sarasota County establishes building setbacks by zoning district in Article 6 (District Development Standards) of the Zoning Regulations (Appendix A). Section 6.5 governs RSF District development intensity and Section 6.7 sets housing-type standards that determine the specific front, side, and rear yard dimensions applying to a lot. Setbacks vary by district and housing type; waterfront yards in residential areas are generally set back 20 feet unless otherwise specified. Section 5.4 bars accessory structures from being placed in a required yard except where expressly allowed. Measurement rules are in Section 6.2. Because the exact figures depend on the parcel's district (RSF, RMF, RE, etc.) and housing type, owners should confirm their district and setback table with Sarasota County Planning and Development
Building within a required yard is a zoning violation enforced by Code Enforcement. Remedies include a variance from the Board of Zoning Appeals, correction, or removal; unresolved violations proceed to the Special Magistrate with daily fines.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Sarasota County, FL
Backyard composting is allowed and encouraged in Sarasota County. County code prohibits letting grass clippings, vegetative material, or debris wash, sweep, ...
Sarasota County, FL
Sarasota County has no outright ban on residential artificial turf, but it does not count toward required landscape, open-space, or stormwater-pervious area....
Sarasota County, FL
Sarasota County promotes Florida-Friendly, drought-tolerant landscaping and requires water-efficient landscape design for new development. State law also pro...
Sarasota County, FL
Sarasota County encourages rain barrels and cisterns as a conservation practice, and Florida law protects residential rainwater collection. There is no count...
Sarasota County, FL
Sarasota County follows Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) rules. The standard year-round schedule allows watering twice per week by addres...
Sarasota County, FL
Sarasota County treats excessive weeds and overgrown vegetation on developed lots as a code nuisance. Enforcement is complaint-based, beginning with a Notice...
See how Sarasota County's setback rules rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.