Building Setbacks & Zoning in Abilene, TX (2026)
3 verified building setbacks & zoning rules for Abilene, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Setback Rules
Table 2-2 of Abilene's Land Development Code fixes minimum building line setbacks for every residential zoning district, how far a house must sit from the street, side and rear property lines, and even the garage. Setbacks tighten as lot size shrinks, from 25-40 feet in large-lot districts down to zero on one side in the Patio Home district.
Abilene Yard Setback Minimums by Zoning District
Some RestrictionsAbilene Land Development Code, Ch. 2, Art. 3, Div. 2, Table 2-2 (Site Layout and Building Requirements for Residential Zoning Districts)
Minimum Building Line Setbacks, Table 2-2: Street Setback (ft) [Subcollector or Minor Street / Collector / Arterial or Express-way with Frontage Rd / Express-way Without Frontage Rd], Garage Setback, Rear Yard, Side Yard. RS-12 25 25 30 40 25 30 10. RS-8 15 20 30 40 20 25 7.5. RS-6 15 20 30 40 20 20 6. PH 15 20 30 40 20 20 0*. * This applies to one side only. A 10-foot separation between homes ...
Structure Height Limits
Abilene's Land Development Code caps residential building height at 35 feet in most single-family and townhome districts and 40 feet, three stories, in the Multiple-Family district. The Agricultural Open Space district has no flat ceiling, only an added setback requirement once a building tops 45 feet.
Abilene Residential Building Height Limits by Zone
Some RestrictionsAbilene Land Development Code, Ch. 2, Art. 3, Div. 2, Table 2-2 (Site Layout and Building Requirements for Residential Zoning Districts)
Zoning District Max. Density of Dwelling Units Per Acre Minimum Lot Size Minimum Building Line Setbacks Max. Height (ft) Max. Lot Coverage. AO n/a 217,800 200 500 25 25 30 40 25 40 25 None except add 1 ft setback for every 1 ft of height over 45 ft 15% n/a. RS-8 n/a 8,000 70 100 15 20 30 40 20 25 7.5 35 50% n/a. MF 24 6,000 60 100 15 20 30 40 25 20 10 40; 3 stories 90% n/a.
Lot Coverage Limits
Abilene's Land Development Code caps how much of a lot a building can cover, from just 15 percent in the Agricultural Open Space and RR-5 districts up to 90 percent for Multiple-Family (MF) development. Table 2-2 sets the exact percentage for every residential zoning district, enforced by the Planning and Development Services Department.
Abilene Max Lot Coverage by Zoning District
Some RestrictionsAbilene Land Development Code, Ch. 2, Art. 3, Div. 2, Table 2-2 (Site Layout and Building Requirements for Residential Zoning Districts)
Zoning District Max. Density of Dwelling Units Per Acre Minimum Lot Size Minimum Building Line Setbacks Max. Height (ft) Max. Lot Coverage (% of lot area)...AO n/a 217,800 200 500 25 25 30 40 25 40 25 [height rule] 15% n/a RS-12 n/a 12,000 80 100 25 25 30 40 25 30 10 35 40% n/a RS-8 n/a 8,000 70 100 15 20 30 40 20 25 7.5 35 50% n/a PH n/a 4,500 40 100 15 20 30 40 20 20 0* 35 75% n/a MF 24 6,000...
Looking for Taylor County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Abilene city rules.
Building Setbacks & Zoning in Taylor County →