Building Setbacks & Zoning in Maricopa County, AZ (2026)

3 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 10 cities in Maricopa County, Arizona.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Maricopa County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Setback Rules

In unincorporated Maricopa County, residential zoning districts set minimum yard setbacks that scale with lot size: from 60 feet front and rear in RU-190 rural zones down to 10 feet front and 5 feet side in R-5 multifamily zones.

Maricopa County Yard Setback Minimums by Zone

Some Restrictions

Maricopa County Zoning Ordinance § 502

Section 502. Rural & Residential Zoning Districts Development Standards ... Front (ft.) - setback minimums 60 60 40 40 18** 18** 18** 18** 18** 10 10 10 10 ... Side, interior (ft.) - setback minimums 30 30 20 20 10 7 7 5 5 5 5 5 5 ... Rear (ft.) - setback minimums 60 60 40 40 30 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 ... ** 10' minimum but no less than 18' to the plane of the front-facing garage.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Structure Height Limits

Unincorporated Maricopa County caps residential building height at 35 feet across every rural and single-family district (RU-190 through R-2), rising to 40 feet in the R-3, R-4 and R-5 multifamily districts under MCZO § 502. Accessory structures match the primary building's cap, but detached ADUs are limited to 18 feet within rear and side setbacks.

Maricopa County Residential Height Limits

Some Restrictions

Maricopa County Zoning Ordinance §§ 502, 811.7

Height Maximum (ft.) 35 35 35 35 35 35 35 35 35 35 40 40 40 See figures. ... Accessory Structure Setbacks and Rear/Side Yard Lot Coverage ... Height Maximum (ft.) Same as Primary Structure. Detached Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) limited to 18' maximum height within the rear and side yard setbacks - see Article 602.3. See figures. ... Article 811.7. No building or structure in any zoning distr...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Lot Coverage Limits

In unincorporated Maricopa County, Zoning Ordinance Section 504 caps how much of a commercial lot a building can cover: 35% in C-O (Office), 25% in C-S (shopping centers on 5+ acre sites), and 60% in C-1, C-2, and C-3. Coverage counts every building footprint on the lot, with a narrow roof-overhang exclusion. The cap never reaches Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, or any other incorporated city.

Maricopa County Commercial Lot Coverage Limits

Some Restrictions

Maricopa County Zoning Ordinance § 504 (Commercial Zoning Districts Development Standards); see also §§ 201, 809.3, 302.6.1

LOT COVERAGE: The percentage of the area of a lot that is occupied by all buildings. The first two (2) feet of roof overhang from the exterior walls of the primary building, and the first one (1) foot of roof overhang from the exterior walls of all accessory buildings, are not to be included in the lot coverage. ... Section 504. Commercial Zoning Districts Development Standards ... Lot Area Min...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗