Building Setbacks & Zoning in Shoreline, WA (2026)
3 verified building setbacks & zoning rules for Shoreline, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Setback Rules
Table 20.50.020(1) of Shoreline Municipal Code § 20.50.020 sets a uniform 10-foot minimum front yard setback across the NR3, NR2, NR1 and TC-4 residential zones, a 20-foot garage/carport setback (10 feet if abutting an alley), and rear and side yard setbacks that shrink from 10 feet in NR3/NR2 to 5 feet in NR1/TC-4.
Shoreline Residential Yard Setback Minimums by Zone
Some RestrictionsShoreline Municipal Code § 20.50.020, Table 20.50.020(1)
§ 20.50.020. Dimensional requirements. ... Table 20.50.020(1) – Densities and Dimensions in Residential Zones. ... Residential Zones Standards NR3 NR2 NR1 TC-4 Min. ... Front Yard Setback (2) (15) (23) 10 ft 10 ft 10 ft 10 ft Min. Setback to Garage or Carport Entry (2) 20 ft (10 ft if abutting an alley) 20 ft (10 ft if abutting an alley) 20 ft (10 ft if abutting an alley) 20 ft (10 ft if abutti...
Structure Height Limits
In the City of Shoreline, SMC § 20.50.050 measures building height from the average existing grade to the roof's highest point, using the smallest rectangle enclosing the building. Pitched roof ridges may extend higher in the neighborhood residential zones: up to 28 feet in NR3, 35 feet in NR2, and 40 feet in NR1, each with a minimum roof pitch above a stated point.
Shoreline Residential Building Height Limits
Some RestrictionsShoreline Municipal Code § 20.50.050
The base height for all structures shall be measured from the average existing grade to the highest point of the roof. The average existing grade shall be determined by first delineating the smallest rectangle which can enclose the building and then averaging the elevations taken at the midpoint of each side of the rectangle; provided, that the measured elevations do not include berms. ... Exce...
Lot Coverage Limits
Table 20.50.020(1) of Shoreline Municipal Code § 20.50.020 caps impervious hardscape coverage at 50 percent of the lot in the NR3, NR2 and NR1 residential zones and 90 percent in TC-4, with the residential caps rising to 60 or 75 percent for multi-unit lots under footnote (6).
Shoreline Caps Residential Hardscape at 50-90%
Some RestrictionsShoreline Municipal Code § 20.50.020, Table 20.50.020(1), footnote (6)
§ 20.50.020. Dimensional requirements. ... Table 20.50.020(1) – Densities and Dimensions in Residential Zones. ... Residential Zones Standards NR3 NR2 NR1 TC-4 M ... ax. ... Hardscape (2) (6) (19) (23) 50% 50% 50% 90% ... (6) Maximum hardscape can be increased based on the number of dwelling units on the lot as follows. ... NR3 NR2 NR1 One unit per lot 50% 50% 50% Two or more units per lot 50% ...
Looking for King County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Shoreline city rules.
Building Setbacks & Zoning in King County →