Setback Requirements — New York, NY

Governed by Section 23-10. Last verified May 31, 2026.

All Areas

Requirement	Value	Conditions / Exceptions	Source
Accessory Structure Setback Front	Same as principal building front yard setback	Accessory buildings (e.g., sheds) located in front yard area Exception: Minor structures like planters, fences, or steps may be closer per specific provisions	Section 23-10
Accessory Structure Setback Rear And Side	2 ft minimum from rear and side lot lines	Accessory structures not exceeding 12 ft in height Exception: Detached garages may require greater setbacks per parking regulations	Section 23-10

Corner Lot

Requirement	Value	Conditions / Exceptions	Source
Corner Lot Front Yard Setback	Same as front yard requirement for the street facing the longer frontage, but 10 ft minimum for secondary street	All residential districts, corner lots Exception: The secondary street setback may be reduced to 5 ft if the building height ≤ 25 ft and lot width ≤ 60 ft	Section 23-333

commercial

Requirement	Value	Conditions / Exceptions	Source
Front Yard Setback	0 ft minimum (build-to line may apply)	C1 through C6 districts, generally Exception: Some C1 and C2 districts adjacent to residential require 10 ft setback	Section 32-30
Rear Yard Setback	20 ft minimum if adjacent to residential district	C1 through C6 districts, lots adjoining R districts Exception: If lot depth is less than 95 ft, rear yard may be reduced to 15 ft	Section 32-40
Side Yard Setback	0 ft minimum unless adjacent to residential district	C1 through C6 districts, interior lots Exception: When abutting an R district, a side yard of 8 ft minimum is required	Section 32-40

residential

Requirement	Value	Conditions / Exceptions	Source
Front Yard Setback	10 ft minimum	R1 through R5 districts, standard conditions Exception: Corner lots may have reduced front yard; zoning lot depth less than 100 ft may allow 10 ft only where building height ≤ 25 ft	Section 23-31
Garage Carport Setback Front	Same as front yard setback, or at least 20 ft from front property line if garage door faces street	R1 through R5 districts, attached or detached garages Exception: Garages accessed from alley may have reduced setback	Section 23-21
Rear Yard Setback	20 ft minimum depth	R1 through R5 districts, interior lots Exception: Corner lots may have reduced rear yard; zoning lots less than 95 ft deep may reduce to 15 ft	Section 23-52
Side Yard Setback Combined	8 ft minimum total for two side yards	R1 through R5 districts, detached buildings on zoning lots under 40 ft wide Exception: On wider lots, combined width may be larger but each side at least 4 ft	Section 23-442
Side Yard Setback Each Side	4 ft minimum for interior side yards	R1 through R5 districts, detached or semi-detached buildings Exception: Attached rowhouses may have zero side yard on one side; narrower lots may qualify for less	Section 23-441

Official Code Language (11 sections)

Per Section 23-10, accessory structures must comply with the same front yard setback as the principal building on the lot.

— Section 23-10

Section 23-10 sets a minimum two-foot setback for accessory structures from rear and side lot lines.

— Section 23-10

In commercial zones, Section 32-30 permits a front yard setback of zero feet, though a build-to line may apply.

— Section 32-30

Per Section 32-40, in commercial zones the rear yard setback is twenty feet minimum if the lot is adjacent to a residential district.

— Section 32-40

Section 32-40 allows a side yard setback of zero feet in commercial zones, unless the lot adjoins a residential district, in which case the standard residential side setbacks apply.

— Section 32-40

Section 23-333 stipulates that on a corner lot, the front yard setback for the street with the longer frontage shall match the standard front yard requirement, and the secondary street frontage shall have a minimum setback of ten feet.

— Section 23-333

In commercial zones, Section 32-30 permits a front yard setback of zero feet, though a build-to line may apply.

— Section 23-31

Section 23-21 requires that a garage or carport have a front setback equal to the principal building's front yard setback, or at least twenty feet from the front property line if the garage door faces the street.

— Section 23-21

Per Section 32-40, in commercial zones the rear yard setback is twenty feet minimum if the lot is adjacent to a residential district.

— Section 23-52

Section 23-442 requires that the total combined width of both side yards in a residential zone be at least eight feet.

— Section 23-442

Per Section 23-441, each interior side yard in a residential zone shall have a minimum depth of four feet.

— Section 23-441

Frequently Asked Questions

I have a corner lot. Which front yard setback applies to each street?

For a corner lot, the setback on the street with the longer frontage follows the standard front yard requirement (10 ft in residential zones per Section 23-31). The secondary street also needs at least 10 feet under Section 23-333.

Can I place a shed in my backyard right against the fence?

Yes, as long as it is at least 2 feet from the rear and side property lines. Section 23-10 allows a minimum 2-foot setback for accessory structures like sheds from rear and side lot lines.

My lot is zoned commercial, but it's next to a house. What are the rear and side setbacks?

If your commercial lot is adjacent to a residential district, the rear yard setback must be at least 20 feet (Section 32-40). Side yards must follow the residential rules, so each side likely needs 4 feet minimum (Section 23-441).

How far does my garage door need to be from the street if it faces the street?

If the garage door faces the street, Section 23-21 requires at least 20 feet from the front property line. Otherwise, the garage must match the main house's front setback (usually 10 ft in residential zones).

Sources

Data last verified: May 31, 2026

See how this works nationally: Setback Requirements Explained

This is an informational summary, not legal advice. Verify current requirements with New York Planning Department .

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