In unincorporated Sarasota County, minimum front, side, and rear setbacks are set by zoning district under Article 6 of the Zoning Regulations. Residential single-family (RSF) districts require yards on all sides, with waterfront yards typically set back 20 feet. Structures may not be placed in a required yard.
Sarasota County establishes building setbacks by zoning district in Article 6 (District Development Standards) of the Zoning Regulations (Appendix A). Section 6.5 governs RSF District development intensity and Section 6.7 sets housing-type standards that determine the specific front, side, and rear yard dimensions applying to a lot. Setbacks vary by district and housing type; waterfront yards in residential areas are generally set back 20 feet unless otherwise specified. Section 5.4 bars accessory structures from being placed in a required yard except where expressly allowed. Measurement rules are in Section 6.2. Because the exact figures depend on the parcel's district (RSF, RMF, RE, etc.) and housing type, owners should confirm their district and setback table with Sarasota County Planning and Development
Building within a required yard is a zoning violation enforced by Code Enforcement. Remedies include a variance from the Board of Zoning Appeals, correction, or removal; unresolved violations proceed to the Special Magistrate with daily fines.
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