Setback Requirements for the R-10T District in Arlington County
In the Arlington County R-10T: One-family and Townhouse Dwelling district, one-family dwellings typically require a 25-foot front setback, 10-foot side setbacks, and a 25-foot rear setback. Townhouse and semidetached projects within the R-10T district are subject to specific special exception standards, including a minimum 20-foot rear yard and a 20-foot side street setback for corner lots.
Overview of R-10T Placement Standards
The R-10T district in Arlington County is designed to provide for one-family dwellings and, under specific conditions, townhouse projects including semidetached units [Section 5.4.1]. Placement and setback requirements differ based on whether the development is a by-right one-family home or a special exception townhouse/semidetached project.
One-Family Dwelling Setbacks (By-Right)
For one-family detached dwellings in the R-10T district, placement is governed by the general residential standards of Arlington County [Section 5.4.3.C].
| Type of Setback | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Front Yard | Minimum 25 feet from any street right-of-way line [Section 3.2.6.A.1(e)]. |
| Side Yard (Interior) | 10 feet minimum; one side may be reduced to 8 feet, provided the aggregate of both sides is at least 30% of the lot width [Section 3.2.6.A.2(b)]. |
| Rear Yard | Minimum 25 feet [Section 3.2.6.A.2(b)]. |
Townhouse and Semidetached Setbacks (Special Exception)
Townhouse and semidetached developments in the Arlington County R-10T district require site plan approval and must adhere to the following specific yard requirements [Section 5.4.3.B].
| Type of Setback | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Front Yard | 25 feet minimum if off-street parking is provided in front of the unit [Section 5.4.4.A.2(a)]. |
| Side Yard (Street/Corner) | Minimum 20 feet [Section 5.4.3.B]. |
| Side Yard (Interior) | Determined by the approved site plan [Section 5.4.3.B]. |
| Rear Yard | Minimum 20 feet [Section 5.4.3.B]. |
Specific Conditions and Exceptions in the R-10T District
Front Yard Variations
For by-right one-family dwellings in the R-10T district, the front setback may be reduced to the average of existing structures on the same frontage, but it cannot be less than 15 feet. Additionally, no parking garage may be located closer than 18 feet from the street right-of-way line [Section 3.2.6.A.1(e)].
Rear Yard Privacy
Every townhouse or semidetached dwelling unit in the Arlington County R-10T district must maintain a rear yard of at least 20 feet. This area must be screened with landscaping, walls, or fences to provide optimum privacy for the occupants [Section 5.4.4.A.2(c)].
Setback Variations for Site Plans
The Arlington County Board has the discretion to modify setback and yard requirements for townhouse and semidetached projects in the R-10T district to achieve a design appropriate for the specific project and its site [Section 5.4.4.A.1].
Sections Cited
- Section 3.2.6: Placement
- Section 5.4.1: R-10T District Purpose
- Section 5.4.3: R-10T Density and Dimensional Standards
- Section 5.4.4: R-10T District Use Standards