Las Cruces, NM Building Setbacks & Zoning: Setback Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- R-1a Front Yard
- 15 feet
- R-1a Rear Yard
- 20 feet
- R-1a Side Yard
- 5 feet (or 0)
- Garage/Carport
- 25 ft from front line
- Code Section
- Sec. 38-31
Summary
Las Cruces zoning sets minimum yard setbacks by district. In the common R-1a medium-density zone: 15-foot front, 20-foot rear, and 5-foot side yards, and no garage or carport within 25 feet of the front property line.
No garage or carport shall be within 25 feet of the front property line, section 38-62.(f)Maximum number of attached townhouses by zoning district: R-1a and R-1aM districts (3), R-1b and R-1bM districts (5), R-2 districts (8), R-3 districts (10). Maximum number of attached apartments by zoning district (per building): R-2 districts (8), R-3 districts (10), R-4 districts (unlimited).(g)For all parcels, tracts or lots zoned R-4 prior to the effective date of the 2001 Zoning Code, as amended (September 4, 2001), the maximum density allowed shall be no greater than what was allowed pursuant to the 1981 zoning code, as amended (40 dwelling units per acre - effective date August 3, 1981). This shall remain in effective until such time as the parcel, tract or lot goes through a rezoning action making it subject to current code requirements. Other regulations: The regulations in this section list unique conditions for land uses and development standards in these zoning districts. Other regulations, e.g. parking, signs, found in other sections of this Code also apply. Sites within special zoning districts, e.g. overlay zones, may be subject to different regulations.(h)See Staff Interpretation No. 02-002 (Z) in section 38.62.C.2.
Adjacent Use EE, RE, REM VLD. Res. R-1c,
R-1cM;
LD Res. R-1a, R-1aM, R-1b, R-1bM, R-2, R-3 MD Res. R-4 (Density to be established) HD Res. O-1
Neigh.
Office O-2 Pro Office C-1 Low
Inten. Comm. C-2 Med. Inten. Comm. C-3 Reg. Comm. MT
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 33 | Land Development Code: Supplement 28).
Full Breakdown
Section 38-31 of the Las Cruces Zoning Code (Land Development Code) fixes minimum building setbacks by residential district. R-1a (medium density) requires a 15-foot front yard, 20-foot rear, and 5-foot side (0 allowed for attached patio homes and townhouses). R-1b requires 15-foot front, 15-foot rear, 5-foot side. Larger-lot districts require more: R-1c is 20-foot front, 25-foot rear, 15-foot side, and rural EE/RE/REM districts are 25-foot front, 15-foot rear, 15-foot side. Regardless of district, no garage or carport may sit within 25 feet of the front property line. Variances go through the exceptions and modifications process in Section 38-62.
Violations & Fines
Building inside a required setback triggers a stop-work order and correction, denial of a certificate of occupancy, or a variance requirement under Section 38-62. Zoning violations are enforced by Community Development.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the setbacks for a Las Cruces home?
How close to the street can my garage be?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Las Cruces
Compare Las Cruces to another location·View the New Mexico building setbacks & zoning overview
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