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

12, Low Density Residential District 0-6, part of Title 21, which governs zoning inside the Lacey Urban Growth Area (a chapter the county repealed and re-enacted under Ordinance 16332 in December 2023). Its development standards table sets a minimum lot area of 4,500 square feet where alleys serve the lot and 5,000 square feet where they don't, a minimum lot width of 40 or 50 feet on the same basis, front yards of 16 to 20 feet where garages face the street, side yards of 5 feet, a rear yard of 15 feet, maximum building coverage of 50 percent, maximum development coverage of 65 percent, and, at the bottom of the table, a maximum height of 25 feet.

200, defines building height as the vertical distance from average finish grade level to the highest point of a building or structure, excluding any chimney, antenna or other uninhabitable vertical appurtenances, so a home's chimney or roof antenna doesn't count against the 25-foot cap even though the measured wall or roofline does. 050 table further limits accessory structures: they are restricted to the height of the primary building, so a detached garage or shop can't be built taller than the house itself. 760 defines a variance as the mechanism for relief, a modification of the regulations available where literal enforcement would pose undue hardship unnecessary in carrying out the spirit of the title.