Santa Fe, NM Building Setbacks & Zoning: Setback Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Street setback (R-1-R-6)
- 7 feet; 20 feet for garage/carport
- Side setback
- 5 or 10 feet
- Rear setback
- 15 ft or 20% of lot depth
- Max lot coverage
- 40%, up to 50% with open space
- Enforcing agency
- Land Use Director, Chapter 14-11
- First-offense civil fine
- $100
Summary
Table 14-7.2-1 of the Land Development Code sets Santa Fe's minimum yards for the R-1 through R-6 districts at a 7-foot street setback (20 feet for a garage or carport facing the street), 5 or 10 feet on the sides, and a rear yard of 15 feet or 20 percent of average lot depth, whichever is less.
The standards set forth in Table 14-7.2-1 apply to all principal and accessory structures unless otherwise provided in Chapter 14. ... Street Note 12 : 7 (20 for garage or carport; Note 4) Side: 5 or 10 (See Note 6 for required height stepback from side and rear property lines) Rear Note 13 15, or 20% of the average depth dimension of lot, whichever is less. ... 4. See Section 14-7.1(F)(4) Street Setback for Garage or Carport: A garage or carport with a vehicle entrance facing the street must be set back 20 feet from the street property line as shown in Illustration 14-7.1-3.
Full Breakdown
2(A), which states the dimensional table applies to all principal and accessory structures unless otherwise provided in Chapter 14. 1(F)(4); a carport built only 7 feet back is allowed only if it is open on three or more sides, matches the house's architectural style, and is used solely for parking currently-registered passenger vehicles. Side and rear yards can shrink toward the property line, but Note 6 of the table caps how tall a structure can rise once it enters that yard: no point may exceed 14 feet within 10 feet of a side or rear line, or 24 feet within 15 feet of that line.
Table Note 5 lets adjoining owners sign a recorded agreement to reduce a shared side or rear yard, as long as the neighbor's own yard grows by the same amount. 1(F)(3). 5(C)(1). 2(D).
Violations & Fines
Setback violations fall under Chapter 14's Article 14-11 enforcement scheme. The Land Use Director can issue a notice of violation, order removal of an encroaching structure, and withhold certificates of occupancy or construction permits. Civil fines run $100 for a first offense, $250 for a second, and $500 for a third or later offense within any 36-month period, with each day of an uncorrected violation counted separately; cited owners may request a hearing within 15 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
How close to the street can I build a house in Santa Fe's R-1 district?
Can neighbors agree to smaller side yards?
What is the rear yard setback in Santa Fe's R-1 to R-6 districts?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Fe
Compare Santa Fe to another location·View the New Mexico building setbacks & zoning overview
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