Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup

Phoenix, AZ Building Setbacks & Zoning: Setback Rules (2026)

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

Key Facts

Front yard minimum
20 feet
Rear yard minimum
25 feet
Street side yard minimum
10 feet
Interior side yards minimum
10 ft and 3 ft
District covered
R1-6, Standard Option

Summary

Phoenix's R1-6 single-family district requires a 20-foot front yard, 25-foot rear yard, 10-foot street-side yard, and interior side yards of 10 feet and 3 feet under the Standard development option.

(5) Individual lot setbacks (minimum) — Standard Option: Front: 20 feet / Rear: 25 feet / Street side: 10 feet / Interior sides: 10 feet and 3 feet. (6) Garage door/carport entry setback (minimum): Same as individual lot setbacks.

Source: Phoenix Zoning Ordinance §701 – Bulk Regulations (Yards and Setbacks)View official code

Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance G-7524, passed June 17, 2026).

Full Breakdown

The Zoning Ordinance's Section 613 table sets these as the baseline for any lot built under the Standard Option in the R1-6 zone, Phoenix's most common single-family district (60-foot minimum lot width, 94-foot minimum depth). A garage door or carport entry must match the same setbacks. Lots developed instead under the Planned Residential Development option get relaxed minimums, a 10-foot front yard and no fixed rear or interior-side setback, but must meet a 20-foot perimeter setback along abutting streets. Limited projections such as awnings, porches, and roof overhangs may intrude into required yards under Section 701.A.3. Other residential and commercial zones (R1-8, R1-10, R-2, C-2, etc.) carry their own separate setback tables elsewhere in Chapter 6.

Violations & Fines

Building or expanding within these setbacks without approval is a Class 1 misdemeanor under Zoning Ordinance § 1004, punishable by a fine starting at $100 for a first offense, rising to $500 for a third violation within 36 months.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the front yard setback in Phoenix's R1-6 zone?
20 feet under the Standard development option, or 10 feet if the lot is a Planned Residential Development, per Zoning Ordinance § 613.B(5).
Do setback rules differ by zoning district in Phoenix?
Yes. Each residential and commercial district, R1-8, R1-10, R-2, C-2, and others, has its own setback table in Zoning Ordinance Chapter 6; R1-6 is only the baseline single-family standard.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Phoenix

All Phoenix rules

Compare Phoenix to another location·View the Arizona building setbacks & zoning overview

Get notified when Setback Rules in Phoenix, AZ changes

We'll email you the moment we detect a change in the code. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We'll never sell or share your email. One-click unsubscribe in every email.

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.

Setback Rules in Nearby Cities

How other cities in Maricopa County handle setback rules.

Mesa, AZ
Some Restrictions
Surprise, AZ
Some Restrictions
Tempe, AZ
Some Restrictions
Goodyear, AZ
Some Restrictions
Peoria, AZ
Some Restrictions
Glendale, AZ
Some Restrictions
Chandler, AZ
Some Restrictions
Gilbert, AZ
Some Restrictions