Building Setbacks & Zoning in Austin, TX (2026)
2 verified building setbacks & zoning rules for Austin, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Structure Height Limits
Austin caps building height by zoning district in the Sec. 25-2-492 site development table: single-family districts SF-1 through SF-3, SF-5, and SF-6 top out at 35 feet, while multifamily low-density MF-1 allows 40 feet. Near existing houses, Sec. 25-2-1061's compatibility standards can cut that further, to as little as 40 feet within 50 feet of a triggering property.
Austin Residential Zoning District Height Limits
Some RestrictionsAustin City Code Sec. 25-2-492; Sec. 25-2-1061
§ 25-2-492 - SITE DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS. (A)The table in Subsection (D) establishes the principal site development regulations for each zoning district.(B)Except as provided in Subsection (C), if a requirement of Subsection (D) conflicts with another provision of this title, the more restrictive regulation governs. LA RR SF-1 SF-2 SF-3 SF-4A SF-4B SF-5 SF-6 MF-1 ... MAXIMUM HEIGHT: 35 35 35 ...
Lot Coverage Limits
Austin does not use the term "lot coverage." The controlling limits are Maximum Building Coverage and Maximum Impervious Cover in the Section 25-2-492 site development table, set per zoning district. A standard single-family (SF-3) lot tops out at 40 percent building coverage and 45 percent impervious cover, with stricter caps near Lake Austin's shoreline.
Austin Lot Coverage Runs Through Impervious Cover Caps
Some RestrictionsAustin City Code Sec. 25-2-492
(A)The table in Subsection (D) establishes the principal site development regulations for each zoning district.(B)Except as provided in Subsection (C), if a requirement of Subsection (D) conflicts with another provision of this title, the more restrictive regulation governs.(D)Site development regulation table. LA RR SF-1 SF-2 SF-3 SF-4A SF-4B SF-5 SF-6 MF-1 MF-2 MF-3 MF-4 MF-5 MF-6 MH NO LO GO...
Looking for Travis County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Austin city rules.
Building Setbacks & Zoning in Travis County →