Manitou Springs, CO Building Setbacks & Zoning: Setback Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- GR front setback
- 10 ft. (15 ft. to garage)
- GR side setback
- 7.5 ft.
- GR rear setback
- 15 ft. (10 ft./5 ft. alley garage)
- LDR front/side/rear
- 20 ft. / 10 ft. / 25 ft.
- Measured from
- the property line
Summary
Manitou Springs sets minimum front, side, and rear setbacks by zone district in the Land Use and Development Code's dimensional tables. General Residential requires a 10-foot front setback (15 feet for a garage) and 7.5-foot side setbacks, while Low-Density Residential requires 20-foot front and 25-foot rear setbacks, measured from the property line.
B.Setbacks.1.A building or structure must meet the minimum setback requirements set forth in the dimensional standard tables for each zone district unless a variance has been granted. Setbacks shall be measured from the property lines. ... Table 18.02.2.1-1: Dimensional Standards for the General Residential Zone District ... Minimum Front Setback - Permanent Principal Structure 10 ft. to front façade of residence 15 ft. to garage ... Minimum ... Side Setback - Permanent Principal Structure 7.5 ft. [1] ... Minimum ... Rear Setback - Permanent Principal Structure 15 ft. 10 ft. for alley rear-loaded garages 5 ft. for alley side-loaded garages ... Table 18.02.2.2-1: Dimensional Standards for the Low-Density Residential Zone District ... Minimum Front Setback - Permanent Principal Structure 20 ft. ... Minimum ... Side Setback - Permanent Principal Structure 10 ft. ... Minimum ... Rear Setback - Permanent Principal Structure 25 ft.
Full Breakdown
B establishes the baseline rule: every building or structure must meet the minimum setback in the dimensional standard table for its zone district, and setbacks are measured from the property line unless public infrastructure such as a street or sidewalk sits inside the lot, in which case the measurement runs from the back edge of that sidewalk or curb. 5-foot minimum side setback for a permanent principal structure, and a 15-foot rear setback that drops to 10 feet for an alley rear-loaded garage or 5 feet for an alley side-loaded garage.
2-1 sets a 20-foot front setback, a 10-foot side setback, and a 25-foot rear setback. 3 applies the more restrictive of the two districts' setbacks to the property being developed. Inside the Historic District, footnote [1] to the GR table lets the Historic Preservation Commission approve a reduced side setback down to a floor of 5 feet, or a 10-foot building separation, without a variance, under the Historic District Design Guidelines. A property owner should confirm zone district and any Historic District overlay before siting a foundation, since these figures are fixed numeric minimums tied to the zone district map.
Violations & Fines
The Neighborhood Services Officer enforces setback violations under Section 18.06.4.29, issuing a written order to the violator or property owner describing the encroachment. A conviction carries the general Section 1.01.100 penalty: a fine of not more than $2,650, imprisonment up to 90 days, or both, with each day the encroaching structure remains a separate offense. The city may also pursue civil injunctive relief in District Court or seek removal of the offending structure.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far must a house sit from the front property line in Manitou Springs?
Are setbacks the same in every residential zone?
Where are setbacks measured from?
Can a garage sit closer to the alley than the setback allows?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Manitou Springs
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