Setback Requirements for the RA4.8 Multiple-family Dwelling District
In the RA4.8 Multiple-family Dwelling District of Arlington County, all structures must maintain a front setback of at least 50 feet from the centerline of any street. While the RA4.8 district generally does not require side or rear yards, specific setbacks are triggered if the building wall contains windows or if the lot abuts a residential (R or RA) district, starting at a minimum of 8 feet and increasing with the height of the building.
Front Setback Requirements
Arlington County requires that structures within the RA4.8 district be positioned relative to the street centerline. Unlike some other districts that allow for reductions based on the average of existing structures, the RA4.8 district maintains a strict distance requirement from the center of the right-of-way [Section 3.2.6.A.1(b)].
| Standard Type | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum Setback from Street Centerline | 50 feet |
Side and Rear Yard Requirements
The RA4.8 district is categorized as a Commercial/Mixed-use (C) district in the Arlington County Zoning Ordinance [Section 1.7.1]. Consequently, it follows specific placement rules for high-density residential and commercial areas. Under standard conditions where a wall contains no openings and does not border a lower-density residential area, the Arlington County Zoning Ordinance does not require a side or rear yard [Section 3.2.6.A.2(a)].
However, the following protections apply to ensure light, air, and privacy for neighbors:
| Condition | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Wall containing windows or openings (whether or not they can be opened) | 8 feet for the first 10 feet of building height, plus 2 additional feet for every 10 additional feet of height (or fraction thereof). |
| Lot line abutting an R or RA district | 8 feet for the first 10 feet of building height, plus 2 additional feet for every 10 additional feet of height (or fraction thereof). |
| All other scenarios (no windows/not abutting R or RA) | 0 feet (No yard required). |
Corner Lot Visual Clearance
For any corner lot located in the RA4.8 district, Arlington County prohibits the placement of buildings or obstructions that would interfere with a driver's line of sight. Within the triangle formed by the intersection of street right-of-way lines (extending 10 feet from the intersection), no obstructions are permitted between a height of one foot and 10 feet above the curb level [Section 3.2.6.A.4(b)].
Permitted Encroachments
Arlington County allows certain architectural features to extend into the required yards of the RA4.8 district, provided they meet specific safety and distance parameters [Section 3.2.6.A.3].
| Feature | Permitted Encroachment |
|---|---|
| Bay/Oriel windows (without floor space) and chimneys | 18 inches |
| Balconies, eaves, trim, and fascia boards | 4 feet (must remain 5 feet from property line) |
| Unenclosed decks, patios, and stoops (8 inches or higher above grade) | 4 feet (must remain 5 feet from property line) |
| Stairs and steps | May encroach into yard, provided they are at least 5 feet from any lot line. |
Sections Cited
- Section 1.7.1: General districts
- 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 3.2.6.A.4: Visual clearance (corners)
- Section 7.2.3: Density and dimensional standards (RA4.8 District)