Setbacks & Height Limits in Scottsdale

This guide explains the basic setback and height rules that apply to residential construction in Scottsdale. Exact numbers depend on your zoning district, overlay zones, and lot geometry, so always confirm with Scottsdale Planning & Development Services before finalizing plans.

What Are Setbacks?

A setback is the minimum required distance between a building and a lot line. Setbacks are measured from the property line to the nearest point of the building (typically the wall, but eaves, bay windows, and chimneys can have their own rules).

The Scottsdale Zoning Ordinance specifies front, side, and rear setbacks separately for each single-family district (R1-6, R1-7, R1-10, R1-18, R1-35, R1-43, R1-70) and for multi-family and non-residential districts. Corner lots have two "front" setbacks — one per street frontage — plus an interior side and a rear.

Typical Residential Setbacks

For the most common single-family residential zones in Scottsdale, expect approximately:

Low-density estate zones such as R1-35, R1-43, and R1-70 require larger lots and generally have greater side and rear setbacks to match the lower-density character. Multi-family (R-3), commercial (C-2), and mixed-use zones follow separate setback schedules in the zoning ordinance.

Height Limits

Maximum building height in Scottsdale single-family residential zones is typically 30 ft, measured from average finished grade to the highest point of the roof (or to a specified reference plane for pitched roofs). R-3 multi-family allows up to about 40 ft, and C-2 general commercial typically allows up to 50 ft.

Height rules become more restrictive in:

• Environmentally Sensitive Lands (ESL) and hillside areas — height is often measured from existing natural grade with additional massing and cut/fill limits
• Character area and downtown overlay districts — height may be capped by context and design review
• Airport and view corridor overlays — can lower allowed height
• Mountain preserve edges — additional visual-impact standards apply

Lot Coverage

Beyond setbacks and height, lot coverage — the percentage of the lot covered by buildings — is a key limit on how much you can build. Scottsdale single-family zones each set a maximum coverage percentage in the zoning ordinance. Pools, open patios, driveways, and uncovered decks may be excluded from the coverage calculation depending on the district definition — always check the specific zone chapter.

FAR (Floor Area Ratio) is primarily applied to multi-family, commercial, and mixed-use districts in Scottsdale rather than to standard single-family lots.

Common Exceptions and Encroachments

The Scottsdale Zoning Ordinance allows certain architectural features to project into required setbacks. Typical allowances include:

• Eaves and gutters (usually up to 2 ft)
• Chimneys (up to 2 ft)
• Uncovered porches, stoops, and steps
• Air conditioning condensers (subject to sound limits and minimum separation)
• Bay windows (limited projection and width)

Fences, retaining walls, and accessory structures have their own rules — see the accessory structure section of the zoning ordinance.

State ADU Overrides

Arizona has no statewide ADU preemption law, so ADU setbacks and height are governed entirely by the Scottsdale Zoning Ordinance. See the ADU rules page for Scottsdale-specific ADU standards.

How to Look Up Your Specific Requirements

1. Find your zoning district — use the Scottsdale zoning map or call Planning & Development Services
2. Read the district regulations — your zone chapter in the Scottsdale Zoning Ordinance lists setbacks, height, and lot coverage
3. Check for overlays — ESL, hillside, downtown, airport, and character area overlays can modify base rules
4. Ask planning staff — Scottsdale offers zoning information by phone at (480) 312-7000 before you commit to design

Variances

If your project cannot meet the strict letter of the zoning ordinance, you may apply for a variance — a formal request to deviate from the rules based on a hardship specific to your lot. Variances in Scottsdale are heard by the Board of Adjustment and require public notice and a hearing. See the Variance Application Guide for the general process.

Official Sources

See the sources linked in the frontmatter for the Scottsdale Zoning Ordinance and Planning & Development Services. This guide is informational and is not a substitute for direct confirmation from city planning staff.