Port Townsend, WA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Setback Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- R-I front/rear setback
- 20 feet (50' for barns)
- R-I side setback
- 5 feet each side
- Denser zones (R-II–R-IV)
- 5 feet front/side
- Measured from
- lot line to building line
- Eave projection allowed
- up to 2 feet into yard
Summary
Port Townsend's residential zoning table sets minimum front, side, and rear yard setbacks that vary by district, from 5 feet up to 20 feet.
All setbacks (yard requirements) shall be measured from the lot line to the building line. ... MINIMUM FRONT YARD SETBACKS -- R-I: 20' except: 50' = barns and agricultural buildings. MINIMUM REAR YARD SETBACKS -- R-I: 20' except: 50' = barns and agricultural buildings, and 100' if abutting an R-II, R-III, or R-IV zoning district. MINIMUM SIDE YARD SETBACKS -- R-I: Minimum of 5' on either side.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 3364, passed May 18, 2026).
Full Breakdown
PTMC 17.16.030 and its Table 17.16.030 set the bulk and dimensional standards for the R-I, R-II, R-III, and R-IV residential districts. In R-I, the standard front and rear setbacks are 20 feet (50 feet for barns and agricultural buildings), and side yards need a minimum of 5 feet on each side. Setbacks are measured from the lot line to the building line, plus a 5-foot setback from any ingress/egress easement; roof eaves may project up to 2 feet into a required yard. Denser R-II through R-IV districts drop to 5-foot front and side setbacks, with reduced or no rear setback for multifamily buildings near mixed-use zones.
Violations & Fines
Building within the required setback without an approved variance or exception can trigger a stop-work order from the Development Services Department and require the encroaching portion to be removed or relocated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do accessory structures need to meet the same rear setback?
Can an ADU sit closer to the property line?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Port Townsend
Compare Port Townsend to another location·View the Washington building setbacks & zoning overview
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