Maricopa County, AZ Building Setbacks & Zoning: Structure Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Standard height cap
- 35 feet, RU-190 through R-2
- R-3/R-4/R-5 cap
- 40 feet
- Accessory structure cap
- Same as primary structure
- Detached ADU cap
- 18 feet in rear/side setback (Art. 602.3)
- Variance authority
- Board of Adjustment, § 302.2.2
- Appeal deadline
- 60 days, § 302.5.1/302.6.1
Summary
Unincorporated Maricopa County caps residential building height at 35 feet across every rural and single-family district (RU-190 through R-2), rising to 40 feet in the R-3, R-4 and R-5 multifamily districts under MCZO § 502. Accessory structures match the primary building's cap, but detached ADUs are limited to 18 feet within rear and side setbacks.
Height Maximum (ft.) 35 35 35 35 35 35 35 35 35 35 40 40 40 See figures. ... Accessory Structure Setbacks and Rear/Side Yard Lot Coverage ... Height Maximum (ft.) Same as Primary Structure. Detached Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) limited to 18' maximum height within the rear and side yard setbacks - see Article 602.3. See figures. ... Article 811.7. No building or structure in any zoning district shall exceed the maximum height permitted for a principal building permitted in the respective zoning district unless the proposed use has specific height regulation set forth in this ordinance.
Full Breakdown
Section 502's development-standards table sets Height Maximum at 35 feet for the RU-190, RU-70, RU-43, R1-35, R1-18, R1-10, R1-8, R1-7, R1-6 and R-2 districts, stepping up to 40 feet only in the R-3, R-4 and R-5 multiple-family districts. 3 limits to 18 feet when located in the rear or side yard setback. 7 backstops the table countywide: no building or structure in any zoning district may exceed the maximum height set for a principal building in that district unless a specific use carries its own height regulation elsewhere in the ordinance.
'Building Height' is defined in Chapter 2 as the vertical distance from grade to the highest point of the coping of a flat roof, the deck line of a mansard roof, or the highest point of a gable, hip or gambrel roof, so the limit is measured to the roof's peak or coping line, not to a parapet or chimney above it. 2, which may grant a variance solely where a non-self-created peculiar condition of the land makes strict compliance an unnecessary hardship, and only if the ordinance's general intent is preserved; a variance cannot authorize a use the district otherwise prohibits.
Violations & Fines
Exceeding the 35 or 40 foot cap without an approved variance is a zoning violation enforced by the Zoning Inspector. Relief runs only through the Board of Adjustment: Article 302.5.1/302.6.1 requires the property owner to file a notice of appeal with the Zoning Inspector and the Board within a reasonable time, capped at 60 days, stating whether the request is for an interpretation or a variance and the grounds for it; filing stays enforcement unless the Zoning Inspector certifies that a stay would create imminent peril.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can a house be in unincorporated Maricopa County?
Can I get an exception to build higher than the cap?
How tall can a detached accessory dwelling unit be?
How is building height actually measured?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Maricopa County
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