Building Setbacks & Zoning in Port Townsend, WA (2026)
3 verified building setbacks & zoning rules for Port Townsend, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Setback Rules
Port Townsend's residential zoning table sets minimum front, side, and rear yard setbacks that vary by district, from 5 feet up to 20 feet.
Port Townsend Yard Setback Minimums
Some RestrictionsPTMC 17.16.030 (Table 17.16.030)
All setbacks (yard requirements) shall be measured from the lot line to the building line. ... MINIMUM FRONT YARD SETBACKS -- R-I: 20' except: 50' = barns and agricultural buildings. MINIMUM REAR YARD SETBACKS -- R-I: 20' except: 50' = barns and agricultural buildings, and 100' if abutting an R-II, R-III, or R-IV zoning district. MINIMUM SIDE YARD SETBACKS -- R-I: Minimum of 5' on either side.
Structure Height Limits
Port Townsend caps residential building height by zoning district: 30 feet in R-I, up to 35 feet for single-family homes in R-II through R-IV, and 55 feet for multifamily buildings in R-III and R-IV.
Port Townsend Residential Building Height Limits
Some RestrictionsPTMC 17.16.030 (Table 17.16.030)
MAXIMUM BUILDING HEIGHT: 30' [R-I]; 30' for detached single-family / 35' for attached units and multifamily [R-II]; 35' for detached and attached single-family / 55' for multifamily [R-III]; 35' for detached and attached single-family / 55' for multifamily [R-IV]
Lot Coverage Limits
Port Townsend limits building lot coverage to 25-75% of a parcel depending on the residential zoning district, with higher caps allowed when a lot includes an accessory dwelling unit.
Port Townsend Maximum Lot Coverage by Zoning District
Some RestrictionsPTMC 17.16.030 (Table 17.16.030, Bulk, Dimensional and Density Requirements)
MAXIMUM LOT COVERAGE 25% except 40% where an ADU or multiple units are included in the lot 35% except 60% where an ADU or multiple units are included in the lot 65% 75% MAXIMUM FENCE HEIGHT* Any lot line abutting a public r-o-w = 4'; any lot line not abutting a public r-o-w = 8'; rear abutting a public street r-o-w = 4'; see note below Any lot line abutting a public r-o-w =...