Fairfax · Zoning · UR
Fairfax UR zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Fairfax's UR zone, generally buildings can be up to 28.5 ft (2 stories) tall and the front setback is 6 ft, with the conditions listed below (Fairfax code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 28.5 ft (Principal-use buildings on lots sloping 10 percent or less; on steeper lots, 35 ft downhill of the street and 28.5 ft uphill)
- Maximum number of stories: 2 stories (Principal-use buildings on lots sloping 10 percent or less; steeper lots uphill of the street may have three stories)
- Minimum front setback: 6 ft (Lot having a slope of not more than 10 percent; front and rear yards have a combined depth of at least 25 feet)
- Minimum side setback: 5 ft (Lot having a slope of not more than 10 percent; two side yards have a combined width of at least 15 feet)
- Minimum rear setback: 6 ft (Lot having a slope of not more than 10 percent; front and rear yards have a combined depth of at least 25 feet)
UR (Upland Residential Zone) is a zoning district in Fairfax. Every value below was read from the Fairfax Municipal Code and links to its section (read October 2026). State laws such as the ADU and SB 9 rules can allow more on a residential lot. General information, not legal advice — read the code text and check with the city before you build.
Development standards in UR
The general rule for a typical lot in this zone. Zoning tables often attach notes, such as rules for corner lots, lots next to a residential zone, or new subdivisions only. Open “code text” under a value to see the table cell or sentence it was read from.
| Maximum building height | 28.5 ft Applies: Principal-use buildings on lots sloping 10 percent or less; on steeper lots, 35 ft downhill of the street and 28.5 ft uphill § 17.124.060 · code textOn lots having a slope in excess of ten percent, no building or structure occupied by a principal use and situated on the downhill side of the street upon which it has its primary frontage shall exceed 35 feet in height, |
|---|---|
| Maximum number of stories | 2 stories Applies: Principal-use buildings on lots sloping 10 percent or less; steeper lots uphill of the street may have three stories § 17.124.060 · code textExcept as otherwise permitted by variance, no building or structure occupied by a principal use on a lot having a slope of ten percent or less shall exceed a height of 28.5 feet nor contain more than two stories. |
| Minimum front setback | 6 ft Applies: Lot having a slope of not more than 10 percent; front and rear yards have a combined depth of at least 25 feet § 17.124.070 · code textA front and rear yard having a combined depth of not less than 25 feet, but neither having a depth of less than six feet; |
| Minimum side setback | 5 ft Applies: Lot having a slope of not more than 10 percent; two side yards have a combined width of at least 15 feet § 17.124.070 · code textTwo side yards having a combined width of not less than 15 feet, but neither yard having a width of less than five feet. |
| Minimum rear setback | 6 ft Applies: Lot having a slope of not more than 10 percent; front and rear yards have a combined depth of at least 25 feet § 17.124.070 · code textA front and rear yard having a combined depth of not less than 25 feet, but neither having a depth of less than six feet; |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in UR:
- Minimum rear setback: 12 ft — Lot having a slope of more than 10 percent; front and rear yards have a combined depth of at least 35 feet § 17.124.070
Not on this page
We did not find a general lot size, lot coverage, FAR, density limit for UR in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Fairfax Municipal Code.
Other Fairfax zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Fairfax's UR zone?
28.5 ft (principal-use buildings on lots sloping 10 percent or less; on steeper lots, 35 ft downhill of the street and 28.5 ft uphill) — Fairfax Municipal Code § 17.124.060.
What is the maximum number of stories in Fairfax's UR zone?
2 stories (principal-use buildings on lots sloping 10 percent or less; steeper lots uphill of the street may have three stories) — Fairfax Municipal Code § 17.124.060.
What is the minimum front setback in Fairfax's UR zone?
6 ft (lot having a slope of not more than 10 percent; front and rear yards have a combined depth of at least 25 feet) — Fairfax Municipal Code § 17.124.070.
What is the minimum side setback in Fairfax's UR zone?
5 ft (lot having a slope of not more than 10 percent; two side yards have a combined width of at least 15 feet) — Fairfax Municipal Code § 17.124.070.
What is the minimum rear setback in Fairfax's UR zone?
6 ft (lot having a slope of not more than 10 percent; front and rear yards have a combined depth of at least 25 feet) — Fairfax Municipal Code § 17.124.070.
General information, not legal advice.
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