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Odessa, TX Building Setbacks & Zoning: Setback Rules (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

SF-3 lots (shallow)
20 ft front yard (depth ≤100 ft)
Cul-de-sac lots
15 ft minimum front yard
Rear yard (typical)
5 ft, or 20 ft with easement
Standard residential front yard
25 ft (reduction needs site plan)
Enforcement
Building Official / Planning & Zoning

Summary

Odessa's Zoning Ordinance sets minimum yard setbacks by district: front yards follow a per-zone schedule with a 20-foot exception for shallow SF-3 lots and 15 feet on cul-de-sacs, while rear yards default to 5 feet.

§ 14-7-6(c): "All residential development located on a cul-de-sac shall have a minimum front yard building setback of fifteen (15) feet." § 14-7-6(o): "Lots in single-family - three (SF-3) zoning districts with a lot depth of one hundred (100) feet or less shall have a twenty (20) foot front yard setback."

View official code

Full Breakdown

Odessa sets front-yard setbacks zone-by-zone under a schedule referenced in § 14-7-5, but two numeric exceptions are written directly into § 14-7-6: single-family (SF-3) lots with a depth of 100 feet or less get a reduced 20-foot front yard, and any residential lot on a cul-de-sac gets a flat 15-foot minimum front yard regardless of district. Side yards run roughly 5 to 10 feet depending on use and district under §§ 14-7-7 and 14-7-8, and § 14-7-9 sets a baseline 5-foot rear yard unless an alley or a 20-foot-wide easement backs the lot. Reducing the standard 25-foot residential front yard setback requires Planning and Zoning Commission site plan approval under § 14-13-1(8).

Violations & Fines

Building without the required setback risks a stop-work order, denied or revoked building permit, and a code enforcement order to relocate or remove the noncompliant structure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does every zoning district in Odessa have the same front-yard setback?
No. Front yards follow a per-zone schedule under § 14-7-5; SF-3 lots 100 feet deep or less get a reduced 20-foot front yard, and cul-de-sac lots get 15 feet.
Can I build closer to my rear property line in Odessa?
Only if an alley or a rear easement at least 20 feet wide runs behind the lot; otherwise § 14-7-9 requires at least a 5-foot rear setback.
Who approves a reduced front-yard setback in Odessa?
A reduction of the 25-foot front yard setback requires site plan approval by the Planning and Zoning Commission under § 14-13-1(8).

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Odessa

Structure Height LimitsSome RestrictionsLot Coverage LimitsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor SoundSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Decibel LimitsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Material RestrictionsSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Retaining WallsSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Mandatory Spay/NeuterHeavy Restrictions

All Odessa rules

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