Building Setbacks & Zoning in Yakima County, WA (2026)
3 rules for unincorporated Yakima County, Washington.
Verified from official government sources
Setback Rules
Setbacks in Yakima County come from two codes: the joint Yakima Urban Area Zoning Ordinance (YMC Title 15) inside the urban growth area, and Yakima County Code Title 19 for outlying rural land. Residential lots typically need a 20-foot front, 10-foot side, and 15-foot rear setback.
Yakima County Property Setback Requirements
Some RestrictionsYakima County Code § 19.10.040(6)(b)(ii)
The minimum setback for residential accessory structures in all allowed districts shall be at least five feet from the side property line, five feet from the rear property line, and up to, but not within, the required front yard and applicable street setback, except garage and carport entrances must be set back at least 20 feet from any property line. Other structures, as determined by the Buil...
Structure Height Limits
Unincorporated Yakima County caps most single-family homes at 35 feet in the SR, R-1 and R-2 districts, while multi-family buildings in the R-3 district may reach 50 feet. Yakima County Code § 19.10.040(8) sets how height is measured and lists narrow exemptions for chimneys, spires and mechanical equipment.
Yakima County Residential Structure Height Limits
Some RestrictionsYakima County Code § 19.10.040(8)
(8) Maximum Building Height. (a) Maximum Building Height Determined by Zoning District. The maximum building height is intended to maintain building and structure heights compatible with the character and intent of the district. The height of buildings is measured in the manner defined in Section 19.01.070. The height of other structures not containing a roof is the vertical distance from the b...
Lot Coverage Limits
Unincorporated Yakima County caps building and impervious lot coverage by residential zone: 60% in the SR, R-1 and R-2 districts, 65% in R-3, with an R-3 bonus to 80% for projects that dedicate at least 20% of the lot to landscaping and open space. The county's AG and FW resource districts set no numeric cap.
Yakima County Maximum Lot Coverage Limits
Some RestrictionsYakima County Code §§ 19.12.010, 19.12.020 (Tables 19.12.010-2, 19.12.020-2)
Table 19.12.010-2. Setbacks, Lot Coverage and Building Height Subject Zone SR R-1 Maximum lot coverage Exception: Lot coverage shall be restricted to 45% where park or recreational open space land is not reserved on plats three acres or larger in size, under Subsection 19.34.060(7) 60% 60% or less as required by Section 19.21.030 for sitescreening/landscaping Table 19.12.020-2. Setbacks, Lot Co...
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