Building Setbacks & Zoning in Seattle, WA (2026)
3 verified building setbacks & zoning rules for Seattle, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Setback Rules
SMC 23.44.090's Table A sets Neighborhood Residential front setbacks at 15 feet for lots with one or two units and 10 feet for three or more, rear setbacks of 10-15 feet (waived at an alley), and side setbacks averaging 5 feet with a 3-foot minimum.
Seattle Residential Zone Setback Minimums
Some RestrictionsSeattle Municipal Code § 23.44.090, Table A
Required setbacks in Neighborhood Residential zones. Front: Lots with one or two dwelling units: 15 feet; Lots with three or more dwelling units: 10 feet. Rear: Lots with one or two principal dwelling units not abutting an alley: 15 feet; Lots with three or more principal dwelling units not abutting an alley: 10 feet; Lots under 5,000 square feet within frequent transit service areas: 5 feet; I...
Structure Height Limits
SMC 23.44.070 caps most structures in Seattle's Neighborhood Residential zones at 32 feet, rising to 42 feet for developments with three or more units and a 20-foot front setback, or for qualifying stacked units. Accessory structures in required setbacks are capped at 12 feet, with a 3-foot pitched-roof allowance.
Seattle Residential Zone Height Limit
Some RestrictionsSeattle Municipal Code § 23.44.070(A)
A.Maximum height established1.Subject to the exceptions allowed in this Section 23.44.070, the height limit is 32 feet for any structure not listed in subsections 23.44.070.A.2 or 23.44.070.A.3;2.The height limit is 42 for the following types of development:a.Any development with three or more principal dwelling units and a front setback of at least 20 feet;... 3.The height limit for accessory ...
Lot Coverage Limits
SMC 23.44.080 caps structure coverage at 50 percent of the lot in Seattle's Neighborhood Residential zones, rising to 60 percent for stacked dwelling units or for low-rise courtyard developments in frequent transit areas. Underground structures, small architectural projections, and low decks and porches don't count toward the cap.
Seattle Residential Lot Coverage Limit
Some RestrictionsSeattle Municipal Code § 23.44.080
A.Except as otherwise provided in this Section 23.44.080, the maximum lot coverage allowed for structures is 50 percent.B.The following areas shall not be counted in calculating the lot size for the purpose of calculating lot coverage in this Section 23.44.080:1.Riparian corridors;2.Wetlands and their buffers;3.Submerged lands and areas within the shoreline setback; and4.Designated non-disturba...
Looking for King County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Seattle city rules.
Building Setbacks & Zoning in King County →