R-6 One-family Dwelling District Setback Requirements in Arlington County
In the R-6: One-family Dwelling district of Arlington County, the primary setback requirements for residential structures include a minimum front yard of 25 feet from the street right-of-way and a minimum rear yard of 25 feet for interior lots. Side yards for one-family dwellings in the R-6 district must be at least 10 feet wide, though one side may be reduced to 8 feet provided the total aggregate width of both side yards is at least 30 percent of the total lot width [§3.2.6.A.2].
Main Building Setback Standards for the R-6 District
Arlington County establishes placement and yard requirements for the R-6 district to ensure adequate light, air, and privacy while maintaining the established character of residential neighborhoods. The setbacks for main buildings in the R-6 district are measured from the nearest point of the structure to the nearest point of the bounding lot line [§3.1.9.C.1].
R-6 District Main Building Setbacks
| Setback Type | Minimum Requirement | Conditions/Exceptions |
|---|---|---|
| Front Yard | 25 feet from street right-of-way | May be reduced to the average of existing structures on the same frontage, but no less than 15 feet (18 feet for garages) [§3.2.6.A.1]. |
| Side Yard | 10 feet | One side may be reduced to 8 feet; however, the aggregate of both sides must be $\ge$ 30% of the lot width [§3.2.6.A.2]. |
| Rear Yard | 25 feet | Applies to interior lots [§3.2.6.A.2]. |
| Street (Centerline) | 50% of building height | No structure can be closer to the centerline of a street than half its height [§3.2.6.A.1]. |
Accessory Building Setbacks in the R-6 District
Accessory buildings in Arlington County's R-6 district, such as detached garages or sheds, are subject to specific placement rules based on their size and height. New construction of accessory buildings that are less than 1.5 stories or 25 feet in height, with a footprint smaller than 560 square feet, follow reduced requirements [§3.2.6.A.2].
R-6 District Accessory Building Placement
| Location/Type | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Distance from Main Building | Minimum 8 feet [§3.2.6.A.2]. |
| Interior Lot (Side/Rear) | Eave must be at least 1 foot from the lot line [§3.2.6.A.2]. |
| Corner Lot (Side) | Eave must be at least 1 foot from the side lot line [§3.2.6.A.2]. |
| Corner Lot (Rear) | Eave must be at least 10 feet from the rear lot line [§3.2.6.A.2]. |
| Buildings $\ge$ 2 Stories or 25' Height | Minimum 10 feet from any lot line and 15 feet from the main building [§3.2.6.A.2]. |
| Street Setback | Minimum 25 feet from any street right-of-way [§3.2.6.A.2]. |
Permitted Yard Encroachments in the R-6 District
The Arlington County Zoning Ordinance allows certain architectural features and minor structures to extend into the required setbacks for the R-6 district, provided they meet specific limitations.
- Architectural Features: Bay and oriel windows (without floor space) and chimneys may encroach up to 18 inches into any required yard [§3.2.6.A.3].
- Unenclosed Features: Balconies, eaves, trim, decks, patios, and stoops may encroach up to 4 feet into required yards, but must remain at least 5 feet from any property line [§3.2.6.A.3].
- Porches: On interior lots, porches may encroach 4 feet into the required front and rear yards, provided they are no closer than 21 feet to any street right-of-way line [§3.2.6.A.3].
- Mechanical Equipment: Air conditioning units and generators are permitted in side and rear yards but must be at least 8 feet from any side lot line and 10 feet from any rear lot line [§3.2.6.A.3].
- Fences and Walls: Fences up to 4 feet in height are permitted in any required street setback, while fences up to 7 feet are permitted in required side or rear yards [§3.2.6.A.3].
Visual Clearance for Corner Lots
For corner lots within the R-6 district of Arlington County, a "sight triangle" must be maintained for safety. No planting, structure, or fence can obstruct vision between a height of 3 feet and 10 feet above the curb level within the triangle formed by the street right-of-way lines and a line connecting them 25 feet from their intersection [§3.2.6.A.4].
Sections Cited
- §3.1.9 Setbacks and yards
- §3.2.6 Placement
- §5.6 R-6, One-Family Dwelling District
- §10.4 Expanded Housing Option Development
- §12.9.2 Accessory dwellings
- §14.3.7 Required parking and standing space