New Braunfels, TX Building Setbacks & Zoning: Structure Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Max height, R-1 & R-1A districts
- 35 feet
- Measured from
- average finished grade
- Governing section
- Sec. 144-3.2-2, 3.3-1(b)
- Relief option
- board of adjustment variance
Summary
New Braunfels caps single-family homes at 35 feet in R-1 and R-1A residential districts under the zoning code.
3.2-2. Height. No building or structure shall be erected, constructed, reconstructed or altered to exceed the height limit herein established for the district in which such building or structure is located. ... (b) Maximum height, minimum area and setback requirements. (1) Residential uses. (i) Height. 35 feet.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 36).
Full Breakdown
In New Braunfels' single-family residential districts, R-1 and every R-1A variant (43.5, 12, 8, 6.6, 5.5, 4), the zoning code sets a flat 35-foot maximum building height for residential uses. The rule is absolute: Sec. 144-3.2-2 bars any building or structure from exceeding the height limit set for its district, and the district-specific tables repeat the 35-foot cap for each single-family zone. Height is measured from the average finished grade around the structure to its highest point, per the code's definitions section. Duplex and multifamily districts allow more (45 to 120 feet depending on the zone), but detached single-family lots are held to 35 feet citywide.
Violations & Fines
Building above 35 feet in an R-1 or R-1A district without a variance or rezoning is a code violation; the building official can deny permits or require the excess height removed. A variance from the board of adjustment is the only administrative path to exceed the limit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can a house be in New Braunfels?
Can I build higher than 35 feet on a single-family lot?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in New Braunfels
Texas rules heatmap·Compare New Braunfels to another location·View the Texas building setbacks & zoning overview
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