RF rowhouse zones (RF-1 to RF-5) in Washington
Applies to district codes matching RF-?d.
Rules last checked by a person on October 20, 2026. Guidance only; confirm with Washington before you build.
Shed
| Location | Not in front of the house. Sheds may sit in the required rear or side yard |
|---|---|
| Alley setback | 7.5 ft from the centerline of any alley |
| Height | 22 ft and 2 stories |
| Lot occupancy | Counts toward the 60% cap for row houses (70% by special exception) |
Garage
| Location | Not in the 20 ft required rear yard; a garage at the alley end of a rowhouse lot usually needs a special exception (E § 5201) |
|---|---|
| Rear setback | Outside the 20 ft required rear yard and 7.5 ft from the alley centerline |
| Height | 22 ft and 2 stories |
| Footprint | 550 sq ft or 30% of the required rear yard, whichever is greater |
| Lot occupancy | Counts toward the 60% cap (70% by special exception) |
Deck
| Lot occupancy | Uncovered decks no more than 4 ft above grade don't count. Since July 2026 the first 200 sq ft of a main-floor deck doesn't count either |
|---|---|
| 10-foot rule | A deck that counts as building area may not reach more than 10 ft past a neighbor's rear wall without a special exception |