Building Setbacks & Zoning in Huntsville, AL (2026)
3 verified building setbacks & zoning rules for Huntsville, Alabama, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Setback Rules
Huntsville's zoning ordinance sets a different front, side, and rear yard setback table for every residential district, running from 40-50 feet in front down to 15 feet on the sides in a Residence 1 lot.
Huntsville Yard Setback Minimums by Zone
Some RestrictionsHuntsville Zoning Ordinance (Appendix A) §§ 10.2.4-10.2.6, Art. 10, Residence 1 District Regulations
10.2.4. Minimum required depth of front yard: From major arterials (See Section 73.15): 50 feet From other streets: 40 feet ... 10.2.5. Minimum required depth of rear yard: 45 feet 10.2.6. Minimum required width of each side yard: 15 feet
Structure Height Limits
Huntsville's Residence 1 district caps single-family home height at 35 feet and 2½ stories under Zoning Ordinance § 10.2.9, one of the density controls that also fix lot area, setbacks and lot width. Church spires, chimneys, flagpoles and antennas are exempt under § 73.9.1 if they stay proportionate to the roof. Violations draw a court fine under § 91.6.
Huntsville Caps House Height At 35 Feet
Some RestrictionsHuntsville Zoning Ordinance §§ 10.2.9, 73.9.1, 91.6 (Code Appendix A)
10.2.9. Maximum height: 35 feet (Ord. No. 07-109, § 1, 3-22-2007; Ord. No. 12-583, § 1, 8-23-2012) 73.9. - Height modifications. 73.9.1. Except as provided in sections 73.9.2 and 73.20 hereof, the height limitations of this ordinance shall not apply to church spires, barns, silos, monuments, missiles, flag poles, antennas, penthouses and domes not used for human occupancy, nor to chimneys, wa...
Lot Coverage Limits
In Huntsville's mapped Slope Development District, impervious cover on a lot is capped at 15% in the lower slope zone and 10% in the upper slope zone, with matching caps on total building area.
Huntsville Slope District Impervious Cover Limits
Some RestrictionsHuntsville Zoning Ordinance Sec. 65.4.1 (Appendix A, Art. 65 -- Slope Development District Regulations)
Density Controls Lower Slope Zone Upper Slope Zone Minimum required lot size 25,000 square feet 40,000 square feet Maximum impervious cover per lot 15% of lot area 10% of lot area Maximum impervious cover per subdivision 25% of subdivision area 25% of subdivision area Maximum total building area 10% of lot area 8% of lot area Maximum disturbed area per lot* 30% of lot area 20% of lot area ...
Looking for Madison County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Huntsville city rules.
Building Setbacks & Zoning in Madison County →