Setback Measurements

The City of Denver Zoning Ordinances concerning the measurement criteria used by inspectors in determining setback measurements have a source of questions from residents of the Harvey Park neighborhood. The following information was provided by Tom Kennedy of Neighborhood Inspection Services to give residents a layman's description of the full ordinances pertaining to setback measurements. Also provided here are diagrams showing how zoning inspectors go about taking measurements of setbacks for zoning enforcement purposes.

Denver Zoning Ordinance

SETBACKS FOR RESIDENTIAL USE BY RIGHT (PRIMARY USE)
STRUCTURES R-0, R-1 and R-2

ZONE DISTRICT

Front Setback

Rear Setback

Side Setback

R-0

AVERAGE

20 FT

5 FT.

R-1

AVERAGE

20 FT

5 FT.

R-2

AVERAGE

20 FT

5 FT.

SETBACKS FOR ACCESSORY USE (SUBORDINATE)
STRUCTURES R-0, R-1 and R-2

R-0, R-1, AND R-2 ZONE DISTRICTS:

Section 59-119(2) a. All structures shall be set behind the front setback for structures.
Section 59-119(2) b. Rear Setbacks for Accessory Structures

Attached or detached garage or carport with no alley	5 FEET
Attached or detached garage or carport with an alley and doors opening directly onto the alley	5 FEET
Attached or detached garage or carport with an alley but no doors opening directly onto the alley	0 FEET
Detached accessory structures (sheds, etc.) and fixtures (air conditioning units, etc.) with no alley	5 FEET
Detached accessory structures and fixtures with an alley but no doors opening directly onto the alley	0 FEET
Fixtures for the disposal of trash and garbage	0 FEET
Electric substations, gas regulator stations and utility pumping stations which do not have a rear entrance	0 FEET
Electric substations, gas regulator stations and utility pumping stations which have a rear entrance	5 FEET

Section 59-119(2) c. Side Setbacks for Accessory Structures

Accessory structures that are located in their entirety on the rear one-third of a zone lot, need not be set in from any side-line.

Accessory structures located any where else on the zone lot shall be set in accordance with front and side setback requirements.

Attached garages and attached carports which are in their entirety on the rear one-third of the zone lot need not be set in from any side property line.

NOTE: The Building Department requires a pin survey for structures that are closer than three (3) feet from estimated property lines.

SPECIAL NOTE:

Each zone district allows for encroachments into the front, rear, and side setback space. The following are some examples:

Belt courses, sills, lintels cornices, eaves, gutters, stairways, handicapped ramps, unwalled porches, terraces, balconies, chimneys, and certain public service equipment.

The above list is not an all-inclusive list, but it gives you an idea of the types of things that are allowed to encroach into the setback space. You must check the PERMITTED ENCROACHMENT SECTION of the zone district you are working in, to find out how much encroachment is allowed.