Skagit County, WA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Setback Rules (2026)

SCC 14.28.020 applies the setback chapter to all buildings, structures and lots in unincorporated Skagit County, and SCC 14.28.030(1) ties the actual minimum distance to whatever is adopted for the subject zone in Division 1 of Title 14, the zone-specific chapters such as 14.11 through 14.16. Within that framework, 14.28.030(2) bars any structure or part of a structure from sitting inside the applicable setback except as the chapter allows, and requires the setback area to stay free of junk; all setbacks are measured at right angles, or as close to right angles as possible, to the nearest property line in a horizontal plane under 14.28.030(3).

SCC 14.28.050 defines four setback types: a front setback from the lot line carrying the lot's primary access; a secondary front setback, fixed at 10 feet from any other street-fronting lot line or access easement, rising to 20 feet if a garage door opening faces the public roadway; an interior side setback from lot lines without a front or rear setback, measured at the zone-specific depth, with no interior side setback required between individual townhouse units; and a rear setback from the lot line opposite the front.

A variance can modify most setbacks under 14.28.030(6), except the 100 percent height of tower setbacks required for wireless facilities under Chapter 14.59. The Director can also reduce setbacks on natural resource lands under 14.28.030(7) where an existing structure or an abutting right-of-way would otherwise block reasonable development, and several minor features, including fences six feet or less, retaining walls four feet or less, mailboxes and utility poles, are exempt from the setback rules entirely under 14.28.040.