NMU: Neighborhood Mixed-Use District Setback Requirements in the City of Arlington
In the City of Arlington, the NMU: Neighborhood Mixed-Use district utilizes a combination of minimum and maximum setbacks to ensure an urban, pedestrian-friendly environment. Front setbacks for this district range from 10 to 24 feet depending on the street type, while interior side and rear setbacks are generally 0 feet unless the property is adjacent to a single-family residential use, which requires a 20-foot buffer.
NMU: Neighborhood Mixed-Use Dimensional Standards
The City of Arlington establishes specific setback requirements for the NMU: Neighborhood Mixed-Use district to facilitate the redevelopment of traditional suburban commercial centers into higher-density, urban-scale environments [Section 2.3.12.A]. Unlike traditional residential districts, the NMU district often requires buildings to be placed within a specific range (a build-to zone) to maintain a consistent street wall.
Front and Street Rear Setbacks
The following table outlines the required distances for building placement relative to public rights-of-way and access easements in the NMU: Neighborhood Mixed-Use district.
| Setback Type | Street or Boundary Type | Minimum Requirement | Maximum Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Street Front | Interstate or State Highway | 12 feet | 24 feet |
| Street Front | Public Street, Private Access Easement, or Alley | 10 feet | 20 feet |
| Street Rear | Public Street | 10 feet | None |
| Street Rear | Private Access Easement or Alley | 5 feet | None |
Interior Side and Rear Setbacks
The NMU: Neighborhood Mixed-Use district is designed to allow for continuous storefronts and compact development. Consequently, interior setbacks are minimal except when protecting lower-intensity residential neighbors.
| Setback Type | Adjacency Type | Minimum Requirement | Maximum Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interior | Side and/or Rear (General) | 0 feet | None |
| Interior | Non-residential uses adjacent to single family (side and/or rear) | 20 feet | 20 feet |
[Section 2.3.12.D]
General Measurement Rules for Setbacks
In the City of Arlington, setbacks are generally measured from the property lines [Section 4.1.6.C]. However, there are specific measurement protocols for different street types:
- Thoroughfare Plan Streets: For arterial and collector streets, street frontage setbacks are measured from the right-of-way line as shown on the City of Arlington's Thoroughfare Development Plan [Section 4.1.6.C.1].
- Non-Thoroughfare Plan Streets: For all other streets, setbacks are measured from the existing right-of-way [Section 4.1.6.C.2].
- Private Access Easements/Alleys: In residential contexts, these are measured from the closest edge of the easement or alley [Section 4.1.6.C.3].
Setback Encroachments and Exceptions
The City of Arlington Unified Development Code allows certain structures to exist within or project into required setbacks:
- Prohibited Items: Generally, setbacks must be unoccupied and unobstructed by any building or structure from 30 inches above grade upward [Section 4.1.6.F.1].
- Permitted Projections: Features such as cornices, eaves, sills, and fireplaces may project up to two feet into a required setback, provided they do not occupy more than two percent of the setback area [Section 4.1.6.H.3].
- Double-Frontage Lots: In the NMU: Neighborhood Mixed-Use district, street setbacks are only required in the front yard of the primary structure, unlike other districts where setbacks apply to all frontages [Section 4.1.6.D].
Sections Cited
- Section 2.3.12 (Neighborhood Mixed-Use | NMU)
- Section 4.1.6 (Setbacks)