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King County, WA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Structure Height Limits (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Base height, R-4/R-6/R-8
35 feet
Max height with setback trade
45 feet (1 ft setback/ft)
R-12 through R-48 base
60 feet, up to 80 ft max
Applies to
unincorporated King County only
Citation
K.C.C. § 21A.09H.030

Summary

In unincorporated King County's urban single-family zones (R-4 through R-8), homes are capped at a 35-foot base height, extendable to 45 feet only by adding one foot of setback for every foot built above base.

City-specific rules exist: Renton, Kirkland, Kent, Auburn, Federal Way, and Seattle have their own structure height limits rules that differ from King County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

STANDARDS R-4 R-6 R-8 R-12 R-18 R-24 R-48 Base Height (11a) 35 ft 35 ft 35 ft 60 ft 60 ft 60 ft 60 ft Maximum Height (11b) 45 ft (7) 45 ft (7) 45 ft (7) 65 ft (3) 80 ft (3) 80 ft (3) 80 ft (3) "7. This maximum height is allowed... c. for a structure that provide one additional foot of street and interior setback for each foot above the base height."

Source: King County Code Title 21A ZoningView official code

Full Breakdown

King County's density and dimensional table for the urban area (outside North Highline and Skyway-West Hill) sets a 35-foot base height in the UR, R-1, R-4, R-6 and R-8 zones, rising to a 60-foot base in R-12 through R-48. Builders can go above base height only by trading setback: Note 7.c. requires one additional foot of street and interior setback for every foot of structure above the base, capping out at 45 feet in R-4/R-6/R-8 or 65-80 feet in the higher-density R-12 through R-48 zones. Cottage housing gets its own 25-foot base and 30-foot ridge cap under Note 11.

Violations & Fines

Exceeding the approved height without the required added setback is a plan violation; King County's Permitting Division can issue a stop-work order and require correction, with civil code-enforcement penalties for uncorrected violations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this height limit apply inside Seattle or Bellevue?
No. This is unincorporated King County's own code. Seattle, Bellevue, Kent, Renton, Federal Way, Auburn, Redmond, Kirkland, Sammamish, Burien, Shoreline and Issaquah each enforce their own separate municipal height limits.
Can I build taller than 45 feet in an R-6 zone?
Only by giving up yard space: each foot above the 35-foot base height requires one more foot of street and interior setback, up to the 45-foot cap, under K.C.C. 21A.09H.030 Note 7.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in King County

Setback RulesSome RestrictionsLot Coverage LimitsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Vehicle NoiseSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Aircraft NoiseFew RestrictionsParking Rules: Curb Color RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Fence Permit RequirementsLight RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Breed RestrictionsSignificant Restrictions

All King County rules

Compare King County to another location·View the Washington building setbacks & zoning overview

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Structure Height Limits in Cities Across King County

Seattle, WABellevue, WAKent, WARenton, WAFederal Way, WAKirkland, WAAuburn, WARedmond, WA