Huntsville Setbacks & Height Limits — Residential Zones
Fact-checked against the current City of Huntsville zoning district regulations on September 21, 2026.
Huntsville's residential districts do not share one generic setback table. Residence 1-A, Residence 1-B, Residence 1-C, Residence 2, and other districts have separate lot, yard, coverage, story, and height standards.
Residence 1-A
Current Article 11 provides:
| Standard | Residence 1-A |
|---|---|
| Minimum lot area | 12,000 sq ft |
| Minimum lot width | 75 ft |
| Front yard — major arterial | 50 ft |
| Front yard — other streets | 35 ft |
| Rear yard | 40 ft |
| Side yard — 1 to 1.5 stories | 10 ft |
| Side yard — 2 to 2.5 stories | 12 ft |
| Maximum building area | 35% of lot |
| Maximum stories | 2.5 |
| Maximum height | 35 ft |
The previous page understated the Residence 1-A rear yard at 30 ft and did not distinguish side yards by building height.
Residence 1-B
Current Article 12 provides:
| Standard | Residence 1-B |
|---|---|
| Minimum lot area | 7,500 sq ft |
| Minimum lot width | 60 ft |
| Front yard — major arterial | 50 ft |
| Front yard — other streets | 30 ft |
| Rear yard | 35 ft |
| Side yard — 1 to 1.5 stories | 8 ft |
| Side yard — 2 to 2.5 stories | 10 ft |
| Maximum building area | 40% of lot |
| Maximum stories | 2.5 |
| Maximum height | 35 ft |
The previous page described Residence 1-B as 35-ft front / 10-ft side / 30-ft rear. The current district text is different.
Residence 1-C Is a Small-Lot District
Current Article 16 is specifically intended for existing older small-lot neighborhoods and is not intended as a standard for new subdivisions. It uses:
- 5,500-sq-ft minimum lot area;
- 40-ft minimum lot width;
- 15-ft front yard from ordinary streets;
- 5-ft street-side yard on a corner lot;
- 25-ft rear yard;
- 4-ft side yard for a one-story house and 5 ft for two stories;
- 40% maximum building area;
- two-story maximum.
Do not apply Residence 1-A or 1-B values to an R1-C parcel.
Residence 2 Depends on Housing Type
Article 13 contains separate standards for single-family dwellings, attached dwellings, and other permitted forms. For a single-family dwelling, current Article 13 starts with a 6,000-sq-ft lot, 50-ft width, 20-ft front yard on ordinary streets, and 25-ft rear yard.
Use the exact housing-type subsection rather than one “Residence 2” shorthand table.
Accessory Structures and ADUs
The previous page stated unverified “typical” ADU dimensions. Those claims have been removed. Accessory structures and secondary dwellings must be checked under the current zoning ordinance and the exact district/use provisions.
How to Check a Property
- Confirm the exact zoning district on Huntsville's official map.
- Open the current district article.
- Identify the housing/building type.
- Check Article 73 for general exceptions and arterial-street rules.
- Check historic, mountain/hillside, airport, and other special conditions.
- Confirm parcel-specific questions with Huntsville Planning.
Official Sources
- Huntsville Residence 1-A regulations
- Huntsville Residence 1-B regulations
- Huntsville Residence 1-C regulations
- Huntsville Residence 2 regulations
This guide is informational only. The current zoning ordinance and parcel-specific conditions control.
More about Huntsville Zoning
Sources
- Huntsville Zoning Ordinance (Municipal Code)·library.municode.com·Accessed 2026-04-14·Direct link
- City of Huntsville Planning Services·huntsvilleal.gov·Accessed 2026-04-14·Direct link