Setbacks are buffer zones, not suggestions
A setback is the minimum distance between your structure and a lot line. It creates space for safety, access, and neighborhood consistency.
Setback rules vary by zoning district and by structure type. Accessory structures often have different requirements than the main home.
How setbacks are measured
Setbacks are measured from the lot line, not the curb or the fence. If you are using a fence line as your reference, it is easy to be wrong by several feet.
Corner lots and irregular lots are especially tricky because the front setback can be defined by the longer street frontage.
Common setback mistakes
These errors are easy to make and expensive to fix. The good news is they are also easy to prevent with the right checklist.
- Measuring from the sidewalk instead of the lot line
- Ignoring easements that add an additional buffer
- Placing a shed behind a garage without checking the rear setback
- Assuming accessory structures use the same setbacks as the home
How Permitech reduces setback surprises
Permitech pulls the correct setback rules for your AHJ and project type, then highlights how they affect placement. If a plat or survey is required to confirm the setbacks, you see that before you submit.