Building Setbacks & Zoning in Boulder, CO (2026)
2 verified building setbacks & zoning rules for Boulder, Colorado, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Setback Rules
Every Boulder zoning district carries its own front, side, and rear yard setback minimums in Table 7-1 of Section 9-7-1. The Agricultural (A) district requires a 25-foot front yard landscaped setback, a 15-foot side yard from an interior lot line, and a 25-foot rear yard, while other districts carry different minimums down to a zero-foot setback under the same table.
Boulder Yard Setback Minimums by Zone
Some RestrictionsBoulder Revised Code § 9-7-1, Table 7-1 (Form and Bulk Standards)
All primary and accessory structures are subject to the dimensional standards set forth in Table 7-1 of this section... TABLE 7-1: FORM AND BULK STANDARDS...Minimum front yard landscaped setback (e), (h) 25' (k) 20' 15' 10' 0' (k)...Minimum side yard setback from an interior lot line (b) 15' 10' 5' 10' 0' or 12'...Minimum total for both side yard setbacks 40' 25' 20' 15' 20'...Minimum rear yard...
Structure Height Limits
Boulder sets the base height a home may reach by zoning district in the Table 7-1 schedule, but no building anywhere in the city may top the absolute 55-foot ceiling fixed by City Charter Section 84. Lots on slopes steeper than 20 degrees face a tighter 25-foot cap measured perpendicular from natural grade.
Boulder Building Height Limits for Homes
Some RestrictionsBoulder Rev. Code § 9-7-5 (B.R.C. 1981)
(a)Permitted Height: The height permitted without review within the City is set forth in Section 9-7-1, "Schedule of Form and Bulk Standards," B.R.C. 1981, except as provided in Paragraph (b)(2) of this section and except under a form-based code review. Buildings greater than the permitted height may be approved under Section 9-2-14, "Site Review," B.R.C. 1981. ... (2)Slopes Greater Than Twenty...
Looking for Boulder County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Boulder city rules.
Building Setbacks & Zoning in Boulder County →