Building Setbacks & Zoning in Miami-Dade County, FL (2026)

3 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 5 cities in Miami-Dade County, Florida.

Verified from official government sources

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

Setback Rules

Miami-Dade County Code § 33-50 sets the minimum setbacks for every residential and estate zoning district in the unincorporated county. An RU-1 house keeps 15 feet from the front for half its width and 25 feet for the rest, with a side setback of 10% of lot width held between 5 and 7½ feet and 15 feet on a side street. Estate lots begin at a 25-foot front setback in EU-M and reach 50 feet in EU-1.

Miami-Dade County Residential and Estate Setbacks

Some Restrictions

Miami-Dade County Code § 33-50

The minimum setback distances and spacing requirements in residential and estate districts shall be as follows: District/Families Front (Ft.) Rear (Ft.) Interior Side (Ft.) Side Street (Ft.) RU-1: One 15 for 50% of the lineal footage of the width of the house and 25 for balance; except 20 for attached garages 15 for 50% of the lineal footage of the width of the house and 25 for balance — 10% lo...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Structure Height Limits

Unincorporated Miami-Dade caps building height at 35 feet and two stories unless a public hearing approves more.

Miami-Dade 35-Foot Height Cap

Some Restrictions

Miami-Dade County Code § 33-52

Except where a greater height may be approved as a result of a public hearing, the maximum height of a building shall be 35 feet, two stories, except as specified in each district and as specified elsewhere in the code. (b) No accessory building in RU or EU-M Districts shall exceed one story in height, unless the principal residence on the lot is two stories in height and said structure complie...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Lot Coverage Limits

In unincorporated Miami-Dade County, single-family RU-1 lots may not have buildings covering more than 40 percent of the lot in new subdivisions, or 35 percent in older platted subdivisions.

Miami-Dade County Caps Lot Coverage at 40%

Some Restrictions

Miami-Dade County Code § 33-49

For the districts enumerated in this section, the minimum width and area of lots, the maximum lot coverage, and minimum building sizes shall be as set forth in the following table: ... District Families Min. Width Min. Lot Area (Sq. Ft.) Max. Lot Coverage (% of Lot Area) Min Bldg. Size (Cu Ft) RU-1 1 New sub.-75' 7,500 40% 8,500 Old sub.-50' 5,000 35% 8,500

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Building Setbacks & Zoning by City in Miami-Dade County

5 cities in Miami-Dade County have their own building setbacks & zoning rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.

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