Laredo, TX Building Setbacks & Zoning: Structure Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- R-1 single-family height cap
- 35 feet, 2½ stories
- R-2/R-3 multi-family height cap
- 50 feet, 4 stories
- B-1R height cap
- 15 feet
- B-3 height cap
- 160 feet
- Height-triggered setback increase
- 1 ft per 2 ft over limit, max 50 ft
- Enforcing officials
- Building Official; Zoning Enforcement Officer
Summary
Laredo caps residential building height by zoning district under LDC Section 24-77.1's dimensional standards table. Most single-family districts (R-1, R-1A, R-1MH, RSM, RS, R-1B) top out at 35 feet and 2½ stories; R-2 and R-3 multi-family districts and R-O allow 50 feet and 4 stories. Height above the district limit triggers larger side and rear setbacks.
AG R-1 R-1A* R-1MH (Manuf. Home) R-1MH (Non-Man. Home) R-2 R-3 RSM RS R-O R-1B Res. Lot of Record**** Reference Also AE B-1 B-1R CBD B-3 B-4 M-1 M-2 MXD 2½ 2½ 2 2 2 4 4 2½ 2½ 4 2 NA Maximum Height (stories) NA 3 1 NA 13 NA NA NA NA 35 35 35 35 35 50 50 35 35 50 35 NA Maximum Height (Feet) NA 45 15 NA 160 NA NA NA NA
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 23 Update 3 | Land Development Code: Supplement 1).
Full Breakdown
1. Residential districts split into two height tiers: AG, R-1, R-1A, both R-1MH categories, RSM, RS, and R-1B cap out at 35 feet and 2½ stories, while R-2, R-3, and R-O reach 50 feet and 4 stories. On the non-residential side, B-1 tops out at 45 feet, B-1R at 15 feet, and B-3 at 160 feet; the CBD, AE, B-4, M-1, M-2, and MXD districts carry no listed maximum (NA) in the table. 2(7)(a) exempts television and radio towers, church spires, belfries, monuments, water tanks, chimneys, smokestacks, and flagpoles from these height regulations entirely.
2(3), when a proposed structure on a lot abutting a more restrictive district exceeds that district's height cap, the side and/or rear yard setback for the taller structure must increase by one foot for every two feet of height over the limit, up to a maximum increase of 50 feet. 3, which directs the Board to weigh protection of residential property values, public health and safety, and preservation of neighborhood character before granting relief. 3, including ordering discontinuance of illegal construction or removal of an illegal addition.
Violations & Fines
A structure built taller than its district allows is enforced as a zoning violation. The Building Official or Zoning Enforcement Officer issues written notice under Section 24-2.2.1, ordering discontinuance of illegal construction or removal of the illegal addition; noncompliance can bring a stop-work order and denial of the certificate of occupancy. Owners may appeal to the Zoning Board of Adjustment for a height variance before construction proceeds.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can I build a house in Laredo's R-1 district?
Are any structures exempt from Laredo's height limits?
What happens if my building is taller than the district next door allows?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Laredo
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Laredo to another location·View the Texas building setbacks & zoning overview
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