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Building Setbacks & Zoning in Federal Way, WA (2026)

3 verified building setbacks & zoning rules for Federal Way, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Setback Rules

Federal Way single-family setbacks under FWRC 19 are typically 20 ft front, 5 ft side, and 5 ft rear in RS zones. Corner lots, accessory structures, and critical areas change the numbers.

Federal Way Residential Setback Rules

Some Restrictions

Structure Height Limits

Federal Way caps residential building height at 30 feet in RS zones with modest bonuses for steep lots. Downtown city center and commercial zones allow much taller structures.

Federal Way Building Height Limits

Some Restrictions

Lot Coverage Limits

Federal Way limits building and impervious coverage in residential zones and requires stormwater mitigation beyond certain thresholds under the Surface Water Design Manual.

Federal Way Lot Coverage and Impervious Surface Limits

Some Restrictions

Looking for King County county-wide rules?

County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Federal Way city rules.

Building Setbacks & Zoning in King County