Building Setbacks & Zoning in Harlingen, TX (2026)
3 verified building setbacks & zoning rules for Harlingen, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Setback Rules
Harlingen's zoning code sets minimum front, side, and rear yard setbacks by district and lot type, ranging from 5-foot interior side yards in single-family zones up to a 50-foot front yard in the N district, under Chapter 111 Zoning.
Harlingen Yard Setback Minimums by Zone
Some RestrictionsHarlingen City Code § 111-119
No building, structure, or use shall hereafter be located, erected, or altered so as to have a smaller front yard than hereinafter required... Five feet is required to be open and unbuilt on each side of a primary structure... No main residential building may be constructed nearer than ten feet from the rear property line, except in the R-PH Zone where the minimum rear setback shall be five feet.
Structure Height Limits
Harlingen caps residential buildings at three stories; going taller requires a board of adjustment hearing and approval first.
Harlingen Residential Height Cap
Some RestrictionsHarlingen, TX Code of Ordinances § 111-172
No building or structure shall be located, erected, or altered in any residential zone so as to exceed three stories without prior public hearing and approval by the board of adjustment as provided by this chapter.
Lot Coverage Limits
Harlingen caps lot coverage at 60% in residential zones, rising to 80-100% in commercial and industrial districts under the zoning ordinance.
Harlingen Lot Coverage Limits
Some RestrictionsHarlingen Code of Ordinances § 111-118(4)
In R-1, R-2 and MH zones, in no case shall more than 60 percent of the total lot area be covered by the combined area of the principal building and all accessory buildings or any other impervious surface such as asphalt and concrete.
Looking for Cameron County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Harlingen city rules.
Building Setbacks & Zoning in Cameron County →