Arlington County R-8 One-family Dwelling District Setback Requirements
In the Arlington County R-8 One-family Dwelling district, the primary front setback for residential structures is 25 feet from the street right-of-way line. Side yards for main buildings in this Arlington County district must be at least 10 feet, with one side reducible to 8 feet, while rear yards on interior lots must maintain a minimum depth of 25 feet.
Main Building Setback Requirements
Placement of structures in the R-8 One-family Dwelling district is governed by general standards for one-family dwellings established in the Arlington County Zoning Ordinance. These standards define the minimum distances required between buildings and property lines or street centerlines to ensure adequate light, air, and safety.
| Setback Type | Minimum Requirement | Notes and Exceptions |
|---|---|---|
| Front Yard | 25 feet from street right-of-way line | May be reduced to the average distance of existing structures on the same frontage, but cannot be less than 15 feet. [Section 3.2.6.A.1(e)] |
| Parking Garage (Front) | 18 feet from street right-of-way line | Parking garages cannot be closer than 18 feet even if the average front setback is lower. [Section 3.2.6.A.1(e)(2)] |
| Side Yard (Standard) | 10 feet | One side yard may be reduced to a minimum of 8 feet. [Section 3.2.6.A.2(b)] |
| Aggregate Side Yard | 30% of lot width | The total combined width of both side yards must equal at least 30 percent of the lot width. [Section 3.2.6.A.2(b)] |
| Rear Yard | 25 feet from rear lot line | Required for structures on interior lots. [Section 3.2.6.A.2(b)] |
Front Setback Limitations
In the R-8 district of Arlington County, any structure located within 25 feet of a street right-of-way line (pursuant to the averaging rule) is restricted to a height of no more than 2 ½ stories [Section 3.2.6.A.1(e)(3)].
Accessory Building Setbacks
Accessory buildings in the Arlington County R-8 district, such as detached garages or sheds, are subject to different placement rules depending on their size and height.
Large or Tall Accessory Buildings
Accessory buildings that are two or more stories in height, or taller than 25 feet, must be located at least 10 feet from any lot line and at least 15 feet from any wall of the main building [Section 3.2.6.A.2(c)(2)].
Small Accessory Buildings
For new construction of accessory buildings that are lower than 1 ½ stories (or 25 feet) and have a footprint smaller than 650 square feet, the following placement rules apply in the R-8 district:
- Distance to Main Building: The wall must be at least 8 feet from the main building [Section 3.2.6.A.2(c)(2)(i)].
- Interior Lots: The nearest edge of the eave must be at least 1 foot from a side or rear lot line [Section 3.2.6.A.2(c)(2)(ii)].
- Corner Lots: The nearest edge of the eave must be at least 1 foot from a side lot line or 10 feet from a rear lot line [Section 3.2.6.A.2(c)(2)(iii)].
Permitted Encroachments
Arlington County allows certain architectural features to extend into the required setbacks for the R-8 district:
- Windows and Chimneys: Bay and oriel windows (without floor space) and chimneys may encroach up to 18 inches into a required yard [Section 3.2.6.A.3(a)(1)].
- Unenclosed Features: Balconies, eaves, trim, decks, and patios (eight inches or higher from grade), and stoops may encroach up to 4 feet into a yard but must remain at least 5 feet from any property line [Section 3.2.6.A.3(a)(3)].
- Porches: On interior lots, porches may encroach 4 feet into the front or rear yard, provided they are no closer than 21 feet to the street right-of-way line [Section 3.2.6.A.3(a)(4)].
Sections Cited
- Section 3.2.6.A.1 (Setbacks from any street)
- Section 3.2.6.A.2 (Side and rear yards)
- Section 3.2.6.A.3 (Encroachments allowed into required yards and courts)
- Section 5.5 (R-8, One-Family Dwelling District)