Fairfax · Zoning · RS-7.5
Fairfax RS-7.5 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Fairfax's RS-7.5 zone, generally buildings can be up to 28.5 ft (2 stories) tall and the front setback is 10 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 on the downhill side of the street)
- 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: 10 ft (Lot slope of 10 percent or less; front and rear yards together at least 30 ft)
- Minimum side setback: 5 ft (Lot slope of 10 percent or less; two side yards together at least 20 ft)
- Minimum rear setback: 10 ft (Lot slope of 10 percent or less; front and rear yards together at least 30 ft)
RS-7.5 (Single-Family Residential Zone, Medium Density) 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 RS-7.5
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 on the downhill side of the street § 17.076.060 · code text(2) On 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, and if situated on the uphill side of the street shall not exceed 28.5 feet in height nor contain more than three stories. |
|---|---|
| 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 § 17.076.060 · code text(2) On 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, and if situated on the uphill side of the street shall not exceed 28.5 feet in height nor contain more than three stories. |
| Minimum front setback | 10 ft Applies: Lot slope of 10 percent or less; front and rear yards together at least 30 ft § 17.076.070 · code text(1) A front and a rear yard having a combined depth of not less than 30 feet, but neither yard having a depth of less than ten feet; and/or |
| Minimum side setback | 5 ft Applies: Lot slope of 10 percent or less; two side yards together at least 20 ft § 17.076.070 · code text(2) Two side yards having a combined width of not less than 20 feet, but neither yard having a width of less than five feet. |
| Minimum rear setback | 10 ft Applies: Lot slope of 10 percent or less; front and rear yards together at least 30 ft § 17.076.070 · code text(1) A front and a rear yard having a combined depth of not less than 30 feet, but neither yard having a depth of less than ten feet; and/or |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in RS-7.5:
- Minimum front setback: 6 ft — Lot slope over 10 percent; front and rear yards together at least 40 ft § 17.076.070
- Minimum side setback: 10 ft — Lot slope over 10 percent; two side yards together at least 25 ft § 17.076.070
- Minimum rear setback: 15 ft — Lot slope over 10 percent; front and rear yards together at least 40 ft § 17.076.070
Not on this page
We did not find a general lot size, lot coverage, FAR, density limit for RS-7.5 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 RS-7.5 zone?
28.5 ft (principal-use buildings on lots sloping 10 percent or less; on steeper lots, 35 ft on the downhill side of the street) — Fairfax Municipal Code § 17.076.060.
What is the maximum number of stories in Fairfax's RS-7.5 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 § 17.076.060.
What is the minimum front setback in Fairfax's RS-7.5 zone?
10 ft (lot slope of 10 percent or less; front and rear yards together at least 30 ft) — Fairfax Municipal Code § 17.076.070.
What is the minimum side setback in Fairfax's RS-7.5 zone?
5 ft (lot slope of 10 percent or less; two side yards together at least 20 ft) — Fairfax Municipal Code § 17.076.070.
What is the minimum rear setback in Fairfax's RS-7.5 zone?
10 ft (lot slope of 10 percent or less; front and rear yards together at least 30 ft) — Fairfax Municipal Code § 17.076.070.
General information, not legal advice.
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