Building Setbacks & Zoning in Austin, TX (2026)
3 verified building setbacks & zoning rules for Austin, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Setback Rules
Austin Land Development Code Title 25, Chapter 25-2 establishes setback requirements that vary by zoning district. In SF-2 (single-family small lot) zones, the front setback is 25 feet, side setbacks are 5 feet (15 feet on street side of corner lots), and rear setback is 10 feet. SF-3 (single-family standard lot) requires 25-foot front, 5-foot side, and 10-foot rear setbacks. Commercial and multifamily zones have different requirements. The city processes variance requests through the Board of Adjustment.
Austin Building Setback Requirements
Heavy RestrictionsStructure Height Limits
Austin Land Development Code Title 25, Chapter 25-2 sets maximum building heights by zoning district. Single-family residential zones (SF-1 through SF-6) have a 35-foot height limit with a maximum of two stories. The McMansion ordinance (Subchapter F) further limits height and mass in certain central Austin neighborhoods to prevent oversized homes. Downtown and commercial zones have higher limits ranging from 40 to 60 feet, with some Capitol View Corridors limiting height to protect views of the State Capitol building.
Austin Structure Height Limits by Zoning District
Heavy RestrictionsLot Coverage Limits
Austin Land Development Code Title 25, Chapter 25-2 sets maximum building coverage (impervious cover) by zoning district. SF-2 zones allow 40% building coverage and 45% impervious cover. SF-3 zones allow 40% building coverage and 45% impervious cover. The McMansion ordinance applies additional floor-to-area ratio (FAR) limits of 0.40:1 in affected neighborhoods. In the Barton Springs Zone, impervious cover limits are significantly lower (15-25%) under the Save Our Springs ordinance. Exceeding limits requires a variance.
Austin Lot Coverage & Impervious Surface Limits
Heavy RestrictionsLooking for Travis County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Austin city rules.
Building Setbacks & Zoning in Travis County →