Single Family Setbacks in Multi-Family Zones

City of Glendale — Regular Meeting (2021-04-08)

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City of Glendale ● 5850 West Glendale Avenue, Suite 212, Glendale, Arizona 85301-2599 ● (623) 930-2800 
 
 
 
 
Planning 
Division 
 
ZONING INTERPRETATION  
ZI21-01 
AUTHORITY: 
The Planning Director may interpret the zoning ordinance if there is a question of clarity of any development 
standard or other standard.  Building setbacks are development standards and there is no clarity due to various 
amendments to the standards over time. 
 
SUBJECT OF INTERPRETATION: 
Building setbacks for single and multi-family residential uses located in multi-residentially zoned subdivisions platted, 
unless stated otherwise on the recorded plat prior to 1993. 
 
ZONING CODE ORDINANCE SECTIONS: 
5.416 Development Standards, 5.426 Development Standards, 5.436 Development Standards for building 
setbacks.  
   
CAUSE FOR INTERPRETATION: 
Lots platted prior to 1993 in the R-2, R-3 and R-4 districts were platted to comply with the Front, Side and Rear 
setbacks established at the time.  By using the perimeter setbacks, requiring twenty (20) feet on the perimeter of 
the property created for lots with multiple dwellings, the lots established for single family homes and multi-
family dwellings are unbuildable.  For example, a lot that is fifty (50) feet in width with twenty (20) -foot 
perimeter setbacks would restrict the building footprint to ten (10) feet in width. This creates a situation where 
single family and multi-family residences are then required to obtain variance approval to develop a reasonable 
structure. 
 
INTERPRETATION: 
Subdivisions zoned R-2, R-3, and R-4 which were platted prior to 1993 are subject to the required setbacks as 
follows: 
• Front yard: A depth not less than established by the main building on the nearest lot within one-hundred 
feet. On a lot that is not within one hundred (100) feet of a lot with an established front yard, the front 
yard shall not be less than twenty (20) feet.  
• Side yard for interior lots:  two (2) side yards, One side not less than ten (10) feet and the other side not 
less than five (5) feet. At no time shall the distance between single-family homes on adjacent lots be less 
than fifteen (15) feet. 
• Side yard for corner lots: a ten (10) foot side yard shall be maintained on the street side of the lot, for the 
entire depth of the lot and shall be free of encroachments and obstructions. At no time shall the distance 
between single-family homes on adjacent lots be less than fifteen (15) feet. 
• Rear yard: A minimum of twenty (20) feet.

City of Glendale ● 5850 West Glendale Avenue, Suite 212, Glendale, Arizona 85301-2599 ● (623) 930-2800 
 
Interpretation by:   _____________________     Date:  ________________ 
 
 
 
David Richert 
 
 
 
Interim Planning Administrator