Yakima, WA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Setback Rules (2026)

Yakima's zoning districts are defined in YMC Chapter 15.03 with dimensional standards in YMC 15.05 Table 5-1 (setbacks) and Table 5-2 (lot coverage, density). Residential zones: SR Suburban Residential (intended for 1 unit/5 acres to 7 units/acre; protects open character and septic drainfield space) — generally larger setbacks (front 20-30 ft / side 10-15 ft / rear 25 ft) on larger lots; R-1 Single-Family Residential (detached single-family with duplexes and zero-lot-line allowed where established at subdivision, up to ~7 units/acre) — front 20 ft, side 5-10 ft, rear 15-20 ft, with minimum lot area generally 6,000-7,200 sq ft (reducible to 6,000 sq ft where critical areas are protected in a separate tract); R-2 Two-Family Residential (single-family, duplex, and zero-lot-line; up to ~12 units/acre) — front 20 ft, side 5-10 ft, rear 15-20 ft, with reduced minimum lot area for duplex; R-3 Multifamily Residential (single-family through multifamily; up to ~24 units/acre) — front 10-20 ft, side 5-10 ft, rear 15-20 ft, with reduced standards for multifamily. Commercial zones: B-1 Professional Business — typically 0-15 ft front setback; B-2 Local Business — 0-10 ft front; HB Historical Business (downtown context) — 0 ft front (build-to line); SCC Small Convenience Center, LCC Large Convenience Center, CBD Central Business District — typically 0 ft front (urban form); RD Regional Development — varied. Industrial: M-1 Light Industrial — 25 ft front / 10 ft side / 20 ft rear typical; M-2 Heavy Industrial — 50 ft front from residential zones / 25 ft side / 25 ft rear typical. Detached accessory structures (sheds, garages, carports, ADUs, pool houses) follow YMC 15.05 Table 5-1 accessory-structure row — typically 5 ft minimum side and rear setback, located behind the principal building or no closer to the front than the zone's front-yard setback, height limit at or below the principal building (or ~15-20 ft). Encroachments allowed under YMC 15.05: eaves, chimneys, bay windows, fireplaces, cantilevers, and similar architectural features may project up to 2-3 ft into required setbacks (no closer than 3 ft to property line). Variances from Table 5-1 require a Type 3 Hearing Examiner review under YMC Chapter 15.21 with findings of unnecessary hardship not self-created — appealable to Yakima County Superior Court under LUPA (RCW 36.70C). WA HB 1110 (RCW 36.70A.635) requires Yakima as a city over 75,000 population to permit duplex, triplex, and fourplex middle-housing forms in all single-family zones — overriding any conflicting density limits in YMC 15.03/15.05 but preserving zone-based setbacks unless they are 'prohibitive' (RCW 36.70A.640). WA HB 1337 (RCW 36.70A.680) requires Yakima to allow at least two ADUs per single-family lot under accessory-structure setbacks. Compliance with both bills required by mid-2025 (six months after Yakima's next periodic GMA comprehensive plan update under RCW 36.70A.130). Building setbacks measured from the property line per YMC 15.05.040 (Setback Measurements) — surveyed corners, fences, and sidewalks are not the property line.