Kansas City, MO Building Setbacks & Zoning: Structure Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- R-80 through R-5 max
- 35 feet
- R-1.5 district max
- 45 feet
- R-0.75 district max
- 60 feet
- R-0.3 district max
- 235 feet
- Parapet/false mansard allowance
- +8½ feet
Summary
Kansas City's R districts cap conventional single-family homes at 35 feet through R-5, rising to 45 feet in R-1.5, 60 feet in R-0.75, and up to 235 feet in the densest R-0.3 multifamily district, under Table 110-2 of the Zoning and Development Code.
Table 110-2 Lot and Building Standards
R-80 R-10 R-7.5 R-6 R-5 R-2.5 R-1.5 R-0.75 R-0.5 R-0.3 CONVENTIONAL DEVELOPMENT Lot Size » Min. lot area (sq. ft.) 80,000 10,000 7,500 6,000 5,000 4,000 3,000 3,000 3,000 2,500 » Min. lot area per unit (sq. ft.) 80,000 10,000 7,500 6,000 5,000 2,500 1,500 750 500 2 300
» Min. lot width (ft.) 150 85 50 50 45 40 30 30 30 25 Front Setback1 » Minimum (% of lot depth) 25 25 25 25 25 25 15 15 15 15 » Min. garage (% of lot depth) 25 25 25 25 25 25 20 20 20 20 » Maximum required (ft.) 40 30 30 30 25 25 20 20 20 20 Rear Setback1 » Minimum (% of lot depth) 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 » Maximum required (ft.) 50 30 30 30 30 25 25 25 25 25 Side Setback1 » Min. each side (% lot width) 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 » Maximum required (ft.) 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 » Min. abutting street (ft.) 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15
Height (ft.)
» Maximum 35 35 35 35 35 40 45 60 164 235 OPEN SPACE DEVELOPMENT Overall Site » Min. open space (% of site) 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30
» Min. lot area per unit (sq. ft.) 72,000 9,000 6,750 5,400 4,500 2,000 1,350 900 450 270 Lot Size » Min. lot area (sq. ft.) 12,000 7,500 6,000 5,000 3,750 3,000 2,500 2,500 2,500 2,500
» Min. lot width (ft.) 100 75 50 45 35 25 25 25 25 25 Front Setback1 » Minimum (% of lot depth) 20 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 » Min. garage (% of lot depth) 25 25 25 25 25 20 20 20 20 20 » Maximum required (ft.) 25 25 25 25 25 20 20 20 20 20 Rear Setback1
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 139 | Zoning and Development Code: Supplement 38).
Full Breakdown
Table 110-2 sets each Kansas City residential district's maximum conventional-development building height: 35 feet in R-80 through R-5, 40 feet in R-2.5, 45 feet in R-1.5, 60 feet in R-0.75, 164 feet in R-0.5, and 235 feet in R-0.3. Height is measured under § 88-820-13-A from the highest of curb level, mean street grade, or average finished grade to the roof beam on a flat roof, or the midpoint between the top plate and ridge on a pitched roof. Parapet walls and false mansards may add up to 8½ feet above the limit, and appurtenances like flagpoles, chimneys, and elevator bulkheads are exempt outright.
Violations & Fines
Exceeding the district height cap without an approved variance from the Board of Zoning Adjustment can draw a stop-work order and block final inspection or a certificate of occupancy until the structure is brought into compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can a house be in Kansas City's standard R-80 through R-5 districts?
How is building height measured in Kansas City?
Can a building exceed the district height limit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kansas City
Compare Kansas City to another location·View the Missouri building setbacks & zoning overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Structure Height Limits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Jackson County handle structure height limits.