Building Setbacks & Zoning in Owensboro, KY (2026)
3 verified building setbacks & zoning rules for Owensboro, Kentucky, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Setback Rules
In the City of Owensboro's R-1A, R-1B, and R-1C single-family zones, Appendix F Section 8.5.5(c) sets the front yard setback at 25 feet from the lot line on a minor collector or local street, while R-1T townhouse lots need only 10 feet. Interior side yards run 10 feet per side in R-1A and 5 feet in R-1B, R-1C, and R-1T, and every zone carries a flat 20-foot interior rear yard under subsection (e).
Yard Setbacks by Zone in Owensboro
Some RestrictionsOwensboro Zoning Ordinance, Appendix F §§ 8.5.5-8.5.8(c)-(e)
(c) Minimum Front Yard or Street Yard ... R-1A, R-1B, R-1C zones 25' from lot line ... R-1T Zone [see (k) below] 10' from lot line ... (d) Minimum Interior Side Yard Regular Building R-1A Zone 10' each side R-1B, R-1C, R-1T zones 5' each side ... (e) Minimum Interior Rear Yard [see (k) below] 20'
Structure Height Limits
In the City of Owensboro's single-family zones, Appendix F Section 8.5.5 through 8.5.8(f) of the joint Owensboro-Daviess County Zoning Ordinance caps buildings at 36 feet in the R-1A, R-1B, R-1C and R-1T districts. Multi-family buildings in the R-2MF, R-3MF and R-4DT zones share the same 36-foot ceiling under Section 8.5.9 through 8.5.11(f), though R-4DT structures built taller must meet a 3:1 height-to-yard ratio.
Owensboro Residential Building Height Limit
Some RestrictionsOwensboro Zoning Ordinance, Appendix F §§ 8.5.5-8.5.8(f), (k); 8.5.9-8.5.11(f)
8.5.5 R-1A Single-Family Residential Zone 8.5.6 R-1B Single-Family Residential Zone 8.5.7 R-1C Single-Family Residential Zone 8.5.8 R-1T Townhouse Zone ... (f) Maximum Building Height [see (k) below] 36' ... (k) Special requirements are applicable to properties located within Downtown Overlay District relative to use, site development, and design standards. See Article 21 for specific requireme...
Lot Coverage Limits
In the City of Owensboro's R-1A, R-1B, R-1C, and R-1T single-family and townhouse zones, principal buildings and accessory structures together cannot cover more than 50 percent of the lot. Appendix F Section 8.5.5(h) sets that 50 percent cap identically across all four zones, with no larger allowance for the smaller R-1T townhouse lots, and note (k) sends Downtown Overlay District properties to Article 21's separate standard instead.
Maximum Lot Coverage in Owensboro
Some RestrictionsOwensboro Zoning Ordinance, Appendix F §§ 8.5.5-8.5.8(h)
(h) Maximum Lot Coverage R-1A, R-1B, R-1C zones 50% of total lot area R-1T Zone [see (k) below] 50% of total lot area ... (k) Special requirements are applicable to properties located within Downtown Overlay District relative to use, site development, and design standards. See Article 21 for specific requirements and Downtown Overlay District Regulating Plan.
Looking for Daviess County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Owensboro city rules.
Building Setbacks & Zoning in Daviess County →