Madison, AL Building Setbacks & Zoning: Setback Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- R-2 front setback
- 25 ft (35 major streets)
- R-2 side setback
- 10 / 25 feet
- R-2 rear setback
- 35 feet
- R-1 front/rear
- 50 feet each
- Code section
- Zoning Ord. Sec. 5-4
Summary
Setbacks vary by zoning district. In the common R-2 single-family district, minimum front setback is 25 feet (35 on major streets), interior/exterior side is 10/25 feet, and rear is 35 feet. R-1 estate lots require 50-foot front and rear yards.
R-2, Single-Family Neighborhood District: Front Yard Setback (feet), min. 25; Side Yard Setback, Interior/Exterior, min. 10/25; Rear Yard Setback (feet), min. 35. Front yard setbacks for R-2 vary by street type as follows: minor arterial/collector or local = 25 feet; principal arterial/major collector = 35 feet.
Full Breakdown
Article 5 of the City of Madison Zoning Ordinance sets minimum yard setbacks per district. R-2 (Single-Family Neighborhood) requires a 25-foot front setback on minor arterial/collector or local streets and 35 feet on principal arterial/major collector streets, 10-foot interior / 25-foot exterior side setbacks, and a 35-foot rear setback. R-1 (Single-Family Estate) requires 50-foot front, 25/35-foot side, and 50-foot rear yards; R-1A requires 40/15-30/45 feet. Detached accessory buildings over eight feet tall or 200 square feet must keep 8-foot interior side, 20-foot exterior side, and 10-foot rear setbacks (Section 5-7-2).
Violations & Fines
Building within a required setback without a variance is a zoning violation. The City can withhold zoning compliance certification and require the structure to be moved, altered, or removed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the front-yard setback in Madison?
What setbacks apply to a large backyard shed?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Madison
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Setback Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Madison County handle setback rules.