Zoning Guide

Colorado Springs Setbacks & Height Limits — Residential Zones

Last updated: Verified:

Fact-checked against the current Colorado Springs Unified Development Code on September 21, 2026.

Colorado Springs completed its RetoolCOS zoning rewrite in 2023 and continues to amend the UDC. The previous page used stale R1 setback and height values.

Current R-1 6 Standards

Current §7.2.204 provides:

Standard R-1 6
Minimum lot area 6,000 sq ft
Minimum lot width 50 ft
Front — house 15 ft or the applicable adjacent/nearest-developed-property average under the current rule
Front — ordinary garage 20 ft from back of sidewalk
Front — house/garage adjacent to collector, parkway, or arterial 25 ft
Interior side 5 ft
Corner side 15 ft
Rear — house / attached garage 15 ft
Rear — qualifying detached garage from alley/rear access 5 ft
Maximum building height 35 ft

The previous page described a generic 25-ft front, 12.5-ft corner side, 25-ft rear and 30-ft height pattern. Those values do not match the current R-1 6 table.

Lot Coverage Is Height- and Lot-Size-Sensitive

R-1 6 does not use one simple “about 40%” coverage rule.

The current code uses 40% for buildings 18 ft or taller, while lower buildings use a lot-size-based schedule that can permit more coverage on smaller lots.

R-1 9 and Other Districts

R-1 9 has different side/rear standards, including a combined-side-yard requirement. R-2, R-4, R-5, and the R-Flex districts also use different dimensional tables.

Do not transfer the R-1 6 values to another residential district.

Current Amendment Status

Colorado Springs is conducting a phased UDC “scrub” in 2026–2027. Use the current effective code text rather than a draft amendment schedule.

How to Check a Property

  1. Confirm the exact zone in SpringsView.
  2. Use the current district table in Chapter 7.
  3. Check current UDC amendments and effective dates.
  4. Check Hillside, Airport, Streamside, historic, and other overlays.
  5. Check accessory structures separately.
  6. Confirm parcel-specific questions with Planning & Development.

Official Sources

This guide is informational only. The current UDC, effective amendments, overlays, and parcel-specific conditions control.

More about Colorado Springs Zoning

ADU Rules & RegulationsBuilding Permits — Cost & Timeline

Sources

  1. City of Colorado Springs Planning & Development·coloradosprings.gov·Accessed 2026-04-14·Direct link
  2. Colorado Springs Municipal Code — Title 7 (Zoning)·codelibrary.amlegal.com·Accessed 2026-04-14·Direct link

FAQ

What are the setback requirements for a single-family home in Colorado Springs?
In the R1-6 and R1-9 single-family residential zones, the typical minimum setbacks are 25 ft front, 5 ft interior side, and 25 ft rear. Corner lots have a street-side setback that is generally larger than the interior side. Always confirm on the City's zoning map because overlays and PUD standards can modify these numbers.
What is the maximum building height in Colorado Springs residential zones?
Maximum building height in the R1-6, R1-9, and R-2 residential zones is 30 ft, measured from average grade to the highest point of the roof. Hillside overlay areas, airport influence zones, and view protection areas can lower this limit.
How is lot coverage handled in Colorado Springs?
Colorado Springs residential zones typically allow around 40 percent lot coverage by buildings, though the exact number depends on your district. Driveways, patios, and uncovered decks are generally not counted. Always verify the lot coverage rule for your specific zone in Title 7 of the City Code.
Do state ADU rules override Colorado Springs setback and height limits?
Colorado HB 24-1152 limits several local ADU restrictions, and Colorado Springs implemented new local rules through Ordinance 25-45. Under the current local summary, detached ADUs generally use a 5-ft rear setback, the side setback follows the principal-building standard, and detached ADU height is generally 16 ft, with separate treatment for qualifying garage conversions. Check the current UDC for the parcel.