How do zoning and setbacks work?
Setbacks are the minimum distance your building can be located from the four sides of the property line. Setbacks apply to new buildings as well as additions or remodels that change the footprint of the building. Setbacks do not apply to an existing structure. Setback requirements are based off zoning, once you figure out what zone your property is in you will be able to identify what your setbacks are and how close you can build to the property line without a waiver.

What is the easiest way to find my zoning and setback requirements?
You can find this information by looking up the zoning map for your City or County. One of the main websites I use to find zoning information Portland Maps. On the Portland Maps website once you type in the address and click on the zoning & district’s tab on the right-hand side all the zoning information you will need is going to pop up.
Now that you know what zone you are in you can look up the setback requirement chart for your county or city and all the measurements will be on that chart.