Mobile, AL Building Setbacks & Zoning: Setback Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- R-1 Urban setbacks
- 5 ft front/side/rear
- R-1 Suburban setbacks
- 25 ft front, 5 side, 8 rear
- R-1 Conservation setbacks
- 5 ft front/side/rear
- Narrow-lot side yard floor
- 5 feet minimum
Summary
Front, side, and rear yard setbacks for Mobile's R-1 Single-Family district vary by sub-district. R-1 Suburban requires a 25-foot front yard while R-1 Urban and Conservation need only 5 feet, per the UDC dimensional standards table.
6 Front yard (minimum) 5 feet | 25 feet | 5 feet ... 8 Side yard (minimum) 5 feet | 5 feet | 5 feet ... 9 Rear yard (minimum) 5 feet | 8 feet | 5 feet [R-1 Urban | R-1 Suburban | R-1 Conservation]
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 67).
Full Breakdown
Mobile City Code § 64-2-5.E sets separate minimums for each R-1 sub-district. R-1 Urban: 5-foot front yard, 5-foot side yards, 5-foot rear yard, reflecting its pre-1950, grid-based lot pattern. R-1 Suburban: 25-foot front yard, 5-foot side yards, 8-foot rear yard, matching its larger post-1950 lots. R-1 Conservation: 5-foot front, 5-foot side, 5-foot rear yards. Corner lots get a front yard on every street-facing lot line under Sec. 64-3-5.A, and lots under 60 feet wide may reduce side yards to as little as one-seventh of lot width, with a 5-foot floor.
Violations & Fines
Building within the required front, side, or rear yard without qualifying for a listed encroachment under Table 64-3-5.1 or an approved variance can trigger a stop-work order or forced removal by the city.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the R-1 Suburban front setback so much bigger than Urban?
Can a narrow lot get a smaller side yard?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Mobile
Compare Mobile to another location·View the Alabama building setbacks & zoning overview
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