Deck rules in Renton's Residential-4 zone: through lot

A deck in Renton's Residential-4 zone needs at least 30 ft from the front lot line, at least 7.5 ft from the side lot line, and at least 30 ft from the secondary front lot line. All buildings together can cover up to 40% of the lot.

Rules last updated 2026-11-05 · This page quotes the Renton Municipal Code. It is a reading aid, not the official code. The City's published code governs. Read the code

Your lot

Deck

Narrow it to your lot

Through lot

Alley

Setback: no building hereWhere a deck can goA typical lot, not to scale. Your lot's shape, size and conditions change these lines.

Visualize these on your property

Enter an address and Feasy draws these rules on your actual lot.

What the code allows

Setbacks

iWhat is a setback?

The distance a building has to stay back from a lot line. How the code defines each line ›

A setback is a distance a building has to stay back from a lot line. Here is what the code calls it, and how far a deck has to stay back from each line.

Front

30ftminimum

At least 20 ft when parking is in the rear yard.

At least 30 ft. At least 20 ft when parking is in the rear yard.

How close to the front lot line can a deck be?

What the code says: Renton Municipal Code 4-2-110A, Renton Municipal Code 4-2-110I.33.a

Side

7.5ftminimum

At least 7.5 ft.

How close to the side lot line can a deck be?

What the code says: Renton Municipal Code 4-2-110A

Secondary front

30ftminimum

At least 30 ft.

How close to the secondary front lot line can a deck be?

What the code says: Renton Municipal Code 4-2-110A

What the code says · 4-2-110A, 4-2-110I.33.a

(Ord. 4869, 10-23-2000; Amd. Ord. 4963, 5-13-2002; Ord. 5100, 11-1-2004; Ord. 5132, 4-4-2005; Ord. 5153, 9-26-2005; Ord. 5306, 9-17-2007; Ord. 5355, 2-25-2008; Ord. 5383, 6-2-2008; Ord. 5387, 6-9-2008; Ord. 5401, 7-14-2008; Ord. 5450, 3-2-2009; Ord. 5473, 7-13-2009; Ord. 5518, 12-14-2009; Ord. 5526, 2-1-2010; Ord. 5528, 3-8-2010; Ord. 5529, 3-8-2010; Ord. 5531, 3-8-2010; Ord. 5590, 2-28-2011; Ord. 5649, 12-12-2011; Ord. 5650, 12-12-2011; Ord. 5675, 12-3-2012; Ord. 5702, 12-9-2013; Ord. 5726, 10-20-2014; Ord. 5744, 1-12-2015; Ord. 5759 (Att. C), 6-22-2015; Ord. 5790, 4-25-2016; Ord. 5791 (Att. A), 4-25-2016; Ord. 5798 (Att. A), 4-25-2016; Ord. 5841 (Att. A), 6-12-2017; Ord. 5867 (Att. B), 12-11-2017; Ord. 5899 (Att. B), 11-19-2018; Ord. 5960 (Att. B), 12-9-2019; Ord. 5981 (Att. A), 10-12-2020; Ord. 6048, 12-13-2021; Ord. 6049, 12-13-2021; Ord. 6076 (Att. A), 8-8-2022; Ord. 6091 (Att. A), 11-28-2022; Ord. 6128 (Att. C), 12-11-2023; Ord. 6154 (Att. A), 12-9-2024; Ord. 6160 (Exh. B-1), 6-16-2025) Please see Section 4-2-110I, Conditions Associated With Residential Development Standards Tables, for explanation of table footnotes.
8
RC
Minimum Net Density (per Net Acre)¹, 2, 15 None {spans 3 columns}
Maximum Net Density (per Net Acre, Except per Net 10 Acres in RC)², 14, 15 1 dwelling unit
Maximum Number of Dwellings (per Legal Lot)² Single-family dwellings and cottage house dwelling units: 1 per legal or unit lot. / Accessory dwelling units (attached or detached): 2 per legal lot. / Middle housing See RMC 4-2-110F, Development Standards for Middle Housing Developments. {spans 5 columns}
Minimum Lot Size², 28, 31 10 acres
Minimum Lot Width³¹ 150 ft
Minimum Lot Width³¹ (Corner Lots) 175 ft
Minimum Lot Depth³¹ 300 ft
Minimum Front Yard⁴, 5, 31 30 ft
Minimum Rear Yard⁴, 22, 31 35 ft
Minimum Side Yard⁴, 31 25 ft
Minimum Secondary Front Yard⁴, 5, 31 (applies to Corner Lots) 30 ft
Maximum Building Coverage (including Primary and Accessory) 10%
Maximum Impervious Surface Area 15%
Maximum Number of Stories 3 {spans 3 columns}
Maximum Wall Plate Height⁸, 9, 10, 12, 18, 19 32 ft. {spans 3 columns}
Maximum Number of Units per Building² 4 dwelling units {spans 5 columns}
Minimum Freeway Frontage Setback 10 ft. landscaped setback from the street property line. {spans 5 columns}
Maximum Wireless Communication Facilities Height (including Amateur Radio Antennas) See RMC 4-4-140, Wireless Communication Facilities. Amateur radio antennas are allowed a maximum height of 6 feet without a Conditional Use Permit. Larger structures will have a maximum height determined by the Conditional Use Permit process, RMC 4-9-030, Conditional Use Permits. {spans 5 columns}
Design Standards See RMC 4-2-115, Residential Design and Open Space Standards. {spans 5 columns}
Landscaping See RMC 4-4-070, Landscaping. {spans 5 columns}
Exterior Lighting See RMC 4-4-075, Lighting, Exterior On-Site. {spans 5 columns}
Screening See RMC 4-4-095, Screening and Storage Height/Location Limitations. {spans 5 columns}
Exception for Pre-Existing Legal Lots See RMC 4-10-010, Nonconforming Lots. {spans 5 columns}
Renton Municipal Code 4-2-110A · DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS FOR RESIDENTIAL LOW DENSITY AND MEDIUM DENSITY ZONES – PRIMARY STRUCTURES^1

		RC
Minimum Net Density (per Net Acre)¹, 2, 15		None {spans 3 columns}
Maximum Net Density (per Net Acre, Except per Net 10 Acres in RC)², 14, 15		1 dwelling unit
Maximum Number of Dwellings (per Legal Lot)²	Single-family dwellings and cottage house dwelling units: 1 per legal or unit lot. / Accessory dwelling units (attached or detached): 2 per legal lot. / Middle housing	See RMC 4-2-110F, Development Standards for Middle Housing Developments. {spans 5 columns}
Minimum Lot Size², 28, 31		10 acres
Minimum Lot Width³¹		150 ft
Minimum Lot Width³¹ (Corner Lots)		175 ft
Minimum Lot Depth³¹		300 ft
Minimum Front Yard⁴, 5, 31		30 ft
Minimum Rear Yard⁴, 22, 31		35 ft
Minimum Side Yard⁴, 31		25 ft
Minimum Secondary Front Yard⁴, 5, 31 (applies to Corner Lots)		30 ft
Maximum Building Coverage (including Primary and Accessory)		10%
Maximum Impervious Surface Area		15%
Maximum Number of Stories		3 {spans 3 columns}
Maximum Wall Plate Height⁸, 9, 10, 12, 18, 19		32 ft. {spans 3 columns}
Maximum Number of Units per Building²		4 dwelling units {spans 5 columns}
Minimum Freeway Frontage Setback		10 ft. landscaped setback from the street property line. {spans 5 columns}
Maximum Wireless Communication Facilities Height (including Amateur Radio Antennas)		See RMC 4-4-140, Wireless Communication Facilities. Amateur radio antennas are allowed a maximum height of 6 feet without a Conditional Use Permit. Larger structures will have a maximum height determined by the Conditional Use Permit process, RMC 4-9-030, Conditional Use Permits. {spans 5 columns}
Design Standards		See RMC 4-2-115, Residential Design and Open Space Standards. {spans 5 columns}
Landscaping		See RMC 4-4-070, Landscaping. {spans 5 columns}
Exterior Lighting		See RMC 4-4-075, Lighting, Exterior On-Site. {spans 5 columns}
Screening		See RMC 4-4-095, Screening and Storage Height/Location Limitations. {spans 5 columns}
Exception for Pre-Existing Legal Lots		See RMC 4-10-010, Nonconforming Lots. {spans 5 columns}

a. When parking is provided in the rear yard of the lot with access from a public right-of-way or alley the minimum front yard shall be twenty feet (20').
Renton Municipal Code 4-2-110I.33.a · CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS TABLES

How the code defines each line

SETBACK: M. SETBACK: The minimum required distance between the building footprint and the property line and any private access easement or tract. For lots containing private access easements, setbacks are the minimum required distance between the building footprint and the easement. A setback is measured perpendicularly from a lot line or private easement access to the outer wall of the structure. In the case where a structure does not have an outer wall, such as a carport, the measurement shall be to the posts of such structure, unless otherwise determined by the Department of Community and Economic Development.Renton Municipal Code 4-11-190.M
LOT LINES: LOT LINES: The property lines bounding a lot; the designation of lot lines (front, rear, and side) shall be based on the yard designations (see YARD REQUIREMENT).Renton Municipal Code 4-11-120.[LOT LINES]
Lot, Corner: A. Lot, Corner: A lot abutting upon any combination of two (2) or more streets, including private streets (e.g., unit lot drives), access easements, or shared driveways, but excluding alleys, at their intersection, or upon two (2) parts of the same street, such streets or parts of the same street forming an interior angle of less than one hundred thirty-five degrees (135) within the lot lines.Renton Municipal Code 4-11-120.[LOT TYPES].A
Lot, Interior: C. Lot, Interior: A lot that generally abuts or has frontage on only one (1) street (or other means of access that may be permitted).Renton Municipal Code 4-11-120.[LOT TYPES].C
Lot, Through: D. Lot, Through: A lot that has two (2) opposing ends each fronting on a street.Renton Municipal Code 4-11-120.[LOT TYPES].D
YARD REQUIREMENT: YARD REQUIREMENT: An open space on a lot unoccupied by structures, unless specifically authorized otherwise. The Planning Division shall determine the various yard requirements for uniquely shaped lots and flag lots. (See also SETBACK.)Renton Municipal Code 4-11-250.[YARD REQUIREMENT]
Front Yard: A. Front Yard: The yard requirement that separates the structure(s) from public right-of-way, private access easement, or shared driveway. For through lots, corner lots, and lots without street frontage, the front yard will be determined by the Planning Division Director.Renton Municipal Code 4-11-250.[YARD REQUIREMENT].A
Secondary Front Yard: B. Secondary Front Yard: The yard requirement for corner lots and through lots that serves as a second front yard abutting a street right-of-way, private street, or shared driveway.Renton Municipal Code 4-11-250.[YARD REQUIREMENT].B
Rear Yard: C. Rear Yard: The yard requirement opposite the front yard. Where a lot abuts an alley, the rear yard shall always be the yard abutting the alley. For irregularly shaped lots, the rear yard shall be measured from an imaginary line at least fifteen feet (15') in length located entirely within the lot and farthest removed and parallel to the front lot line or its tangent.Renton Municipal Code 4-11-250.[YARD REQUIREMENT].C
Side Yard: D. Side Yard: The yard requirement which is not a front yard, a secondary front yard, or a rear yard.Renton Municipal Code 4-11-250.[YARD REQUIREMENT].D

How setbacks are measured

Structure coverage

iWhat counts as coverage?

How much of the lot buildings can cover, counting every structure on the lot together.

Structure coverage

40%of the lot, maximum

BuildingsOpen

Up to 40%.

How much of the lot can buildings cover?

What the code says · 4-2-110A

(Ord. 4869, 10-23-2000; Amd. Ord. 4963, 5-13-2002; Ord. 5100, 11-1-2004; Ord. 5132, 4-4-2005; Ord. 5153, 9-26-2005; Ord. 5306, 9-17-2007; Ord. 5355, 2-25-2008; Ord. 5383, 6-2-2008; Ord. 5387, 6-9-2008; Ord. 5401, 7-14-2008; Ord. 5450, 3-2-2009; Ord. 5473, 7-13-2009; Ord. 5518, 12-14-2009; Ord. 5526, 2-1-2010; Ord. 5528, 3-8-2010; Ord. 5529, 3-8-2010; Ord. 5531, 3-8-2010; Ord. 5590, 2-28-2011; Ord. 5649, 12-12-2011; Ord. 5650, 12-12-2011; Ord. 5675, 12-3-2012; Ord. 5702, 12-9-2013; Ord. 5726, 10-20-2014; Ord. 5744, 1-12-2015; Ord. 5759 (Att. C), 6-22-2015; Ord. 5790, 4-25-2016; Ord. 5791 (Att. A), 4-25-2016; Ord. 5798 (Att. A), 4-25-2016; Ord. 5841 (Att. A), 6-12-2017; Ord. 5867 (Att. B), 12-11-2017; Ord. 5899 (Att. B), 11-19-2018; Ord. 5960 (Att. B), 12-9-2019; Ord. 5981 (Att. A), 10-12-2020; Ord. 6048, 12-13-2021; Ord. 6049, 12-13-2021; Ord. 6076 (Att. A), 8-8-2022; Ord. 6091 (Att. A), 11-28-2022; Ord. 6128 (Att. C), 12-11-2023; Ord. 6154 (Att. A), 12-9-2024; Ord. 6160 (Exh. B-1), 6-16-2025) Please see Section 4-2-110I, Conditions Associated With Residential Development Standards Tables, for explanation of table footnotes.
8
RC
Minimum Net Density (per Net Acre)¹, 2, 15 None {spans 3 columns}
Maximum Net Density (per Net Acre, Except per Net 10 Acres in RC)², 14, 15 1 dwelling unit
Maximum Number of Dwellings (per Legal Lot)² Single-family dwellings and cottage house dwelling units: 1 per legal or unit lot. / Accessory dwelling units (attached or detached): 2 per legal lot. / Middle housing See RMC 4-2-110F, Development Standards for Middle Housing Developments. {spans 5 columns}
Minimum Lot Size², 28, 31 10 acres
Minimum Lot Width³¹ 150 ft
Minimum Lot Width³¹ (Corner Lots) 175 ft
Minimum Lot Depth³¹ 300 ft
Minimum Front Yard⁴, 5, 31 30 ft
Minimum Rear Yard⁴, 22, 31 35 ft
Minimum Side Yard⁴, 31 25 ft
Minimum Secondary Front Yard⁴, 5, 31 (applies to Corner Lots) 30 ft
Maximum Building Coverage (including Primary and Accessory) 10%
Maximum Impervious Surface Area 15%
Maximum Number of Stories 3 {spans 3 columns}
Maximum Wall Plate Height⁸, 9, 10, 12, 18, 19 32 ft. {spans 3 columns}
Maximum Number of Units per Building² 4 dwelling units {spans 5 columns}
Minimum Freeway Frontage Setback 10 ft. landscaped setback from the street property line. {spans 5 columns}
Maximum Wireless Communication Facilities Height (including Amateur Radio Antennas) See RMC 4-4-140, Wireless Communication Facilities. Amateur radio antennas are allowed a maximum height of 6 feet without a Conditional Use Permit. Larger structures will have a maximum height determined by the Conditional Use Permit process, RMC 4-9-030, Conditional Use Permits. {spans 5 columns}
Design Standards See RMC 4-2-115, Residential Design and Open Space Standards. {spans 5 columns}
Landscaping See RMC 4-4-070, Landscaping. {spans 5 columns}
Exterior Lighting See RMC 4-4-075, Lighting, Exterior On-Site. {spans 5 columns}
Screening See RMC 4-4-095, Screening and Storage Height/Location Limitations. {spans 5 columns}
Exception for Pre-Existing Legal Lots See RMC 4-10-010, Nonconforming Lots. {spans 5 columns}
Renton Municipal Code 4-2-110A · DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS FOR RESIDENTIAL LOW DENSITY AND MEDIUM DENSITY ZONES – PRIMARY STRUCTURES^1

		RC
Minimum Net Density (per Net Acre)¹, 2, 15		None {spans 3 columns}
Maximum Net Density (per Net Acre, Except per Net 10 Acres in RC)², 14, 15		1 dwelling unit
Maximum Number of Dwellings (per Legal Lot)²	Single-family dwellings and cottage house dwelling units: 1 per legal or unit lot. / Accessory dwelling units (attached or detached): 2 per legal lot. / Middle housing	See RMC 4-2-110F, Development Standards for Middle Housing Developments. {spans 5 columns}
Minimum Lot Size², 28, 31		10 acres
Minimum Lot Width³¹		150 ft
Minimum Lot Width³¹ (Corner Lots)		175 ft
Minimum Lot Depth³¹		300 ft
Minimum Front Yard⁴, 5, 31		30 ft
Minimum Rear Yard⁴, 22, 31		35 ft
Minimum Side Yard⁴, 31		25 ft
Minimum Secondary Front Yard⁴, 5, 31 (applies to Corner Lots)		30 ft
Maximum Building Coverage (including Primary and Accessory)		10%
Maximum Impervious Surface Area		15%
Maximum Number of Stories		3 {spans 3 columns}
Maximum Wall Plate Height⁸, 9, 10, 12, 18, 19		32 ft. {spans 3 columns}
Maximum Number of Units per Building²		4 dwelling units {spans 5 columns}
Minimum Freeway Frontage Setback		10 ft. landscaped setback from the street property line. {spans 5 columns}
Maximum Wireless Communication Facilities Height (including Amateur Radio Antennas)		See RMC 4-4-140, Wireless Communication Facilities. Amateur radio antennas are allowed a maximum height of 6 feet without a Conditional Use Permit. Larger structures will have a maximum height determined by the Conditional Use Permit process, RMC 4-9-030, Conditional Use Permits. {spans 5 columns}
Design Standards		See RMC 4-2-115, Residential Design and Open Space Standards. {spans 5 columns}
Landscaping		See RMC 4-4-070, Landscaping. {spans 5 columns}
Exterior Lighting		See RMC 4-4-075, Lighting, Exterior On-Site. {spans 5 columns}
Screening		See RMC 4-4-095, Screening and Storage Height/Location Limitations. {spans 5 columns}
Exception for Pre-Existing Legal Lots		See RMC 4-10-010, Nonconforming Lots. {spans 5 columns}

Some cases depend on details a drawing can't show. Check with a design professional for: 4-2-110I.5, 4-2-110I.33.b, 4-11-190.M, 4-11-250.[YARD REQUIREMENT].B

5. The minimum front yard and secondary front yard setback for lots that abut required turnarounds (cul-de-sacs and hammerheads) may be reduced, excluding garage setbacks, to no less than five feet (5'), subject to the following:
Renton Municipal Code 4-2-110I.5 · CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS TABLES

b. The Administrator may reduce the setback by a maximum of fifty percent (50%) of the required setback when all of the following conditions apply:
Renton Municipal Code 4-2-110I.33.b · CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS TABLES

M. SETBACK: The minimum required distance between the building footprint and the property line and any private access easement or tract. For lots containing private access easements, setbacks are the minimum required distance between the building footprint and the easement. A setback is measured perpendicularly from a lot line or private easement access to the outer wall of the structure. In the case where a structure does not have an outer wall, such as a carport, the measurement shall be to the posts of such structure, unless otherwise determined by the Department of Community and Economic Development.
Renton Municipal Code 4-11-190.M · DEFINITIONS S:

B. Secondary Front Yard: The yard requirement for corner lots and through lots that serves as a second front yard abutting a street right-of-way, private street, or shared driveway.
Renton Municipal Code 4-11-250.[YARD REQUIREMENT].B · DEFINITIONS Y:

Deck rules in Renton's Residential-4 zone: through lot

Your lot

Visualize these on your property

What the code allows

Setbacks

How close to the front lot line can a deck be?

How close to the side lot line can a deck be?

How close to the secondary front lot line can a deck be?

Structure coverage

How much of the lot can buildings cover?

Other structures in Renton's Residential-4 zone