Permitted Zoning Districts for Single-Family Residential Homes in Arlington, Texas
The City of Arlington primarily allows single-family residential homes in eight distinct zoning districts, ranging from large-lot estates to medium and high-density residential areas. In these City of Arlington districts, single-family detached dwellings are permitted by right, provided they meet specific lot area, setback, and living area requirements.
Residential Zoning Districts
The City of Arlington Unified Development Code establishes specific residential districts designed to accommodate single-family detached homes as a primary use [Table 2.1-1]. According to the City of Arlington's Table of Allowed Uses, single-family detached dwellings are permitted by right (P) in all of the following residential zones [Table 3.1-1]:
- Residential Estate (RE): Intended for large-lot detached single-family residential uses with a minimum of one acre per lot [Section 2.2.2].
- Residential Single-Family 20 (RS-20): Designed for single-family detached uses on lots of at least 20,000 square feet [Section 2.2.3].
- Residential Single-Family 15 (RS-15): Accommodates single-family detached dwellings at low densities with a minimum lot size of 15,000 square feet [Section 2.2.4].
- Residential Single-Family 7.2 (RS-7.2): Intended for single-family detached uses on lots with a minimum area of 7,200 square feet [Section 2.2.5].
- Residential Single-Family 5 (RS-5): Accommodates single-family detached residential uses at medium densities with a minimum lot size of 5,000 square feet [Section 2.2.6].
- Residential Medium-Density 12 (RM-12): While this district encourages a range of housing types like duplexes and townhouses, single-family detached homes are also permitted to meet the diverse needs of City of Arlington residents [Section 2.2.7].
- Residential Multi-Family 22 (RMF-22): This high-density district primarily serves multi-family uses but explicitly allows detached single-family dwellings as a permitted use [Table 3.1-1].
- Village on the Green at Tierra Verde (VG): This unique district was established to provide high-quality housing options and explicitly permits single-family dwellings subject to specific design standards [Section 2.2.9].
Dimensional and Development Standards
Every single-family home constructed within the City of Arlington must adhere to strict dimensional requirements regarding the size of the lot and the minimum gross living area of the structure.
Lot and Living Area Requirements
The following table summarizes the minimum technical standards for single-family detached homes in the City of Arlington's primary residential zones:
| District | Min. Lot Area (sq. ft.) | Min. Lot Width (ft) | Min. Gross Living Area (sq. ft.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| RE | 1 Acre | 100 | 2,500 |
| RS-20 | 20,000 | 100 | 2,200 |
| RS-15 | 15,000 | 80 | 2,000 |
| RS-7.2 | 7,200 | 60 | 1,500 |
| RS-5 | 5,000 | 50 | 1,500 |
| RM-12 | 5,000 | 50 | 1,500 |
| RMF-22 | 15,000 | 60 | N/A |
| VG | 7,200 | N/A | Varies by acreage |
[Sections 2.2.2, 2.2.3, 2.2.4, 2.2.5, 2.2.6, 2.2.7, 2.2.8, 5.5.5]
Setback Standards
The City of Arlington requires specific setbacks to ensure adequate light, air, and privacy for all dwelling units. These measurements are taken from the property line [Section 4.1.6].
| Setback Type | RE, RS-20, RS-15 | RS-7.2, RS-5, RM-12 |
|---|---|---|
| Front (Arterial/Collector) | 40 feet | 40 feet |
| Front (Local Street) | 20 feet | 20 feet |
| Interior Side | 10 feet | 5 feet |
| Interior Rear | 10 feet | 5 to 10 feet |
[Sections 2.2.2, 2.2.3, 2.2.4, 2.2.5, 2.2.6, 2.2.7]
Parking Requirements
In all City of Arlington districts where single-family detached, townhouse, or duplex dwellings are permitted, the City of Arlington requires the provision of an enclosed two-car garage [Section 5.4.9]. The minimum off-street parking ratio for a single-family detached home is 2 spaces per dwelling unit [Table 5.4-1].
Small-Lot Development Provisions
The City of Arlington Unified Development Code provides special standards for "Small-Lot Development" on unplatted tracts of land that are 5 acres or larger. These developments can feature residential lots as small as 3,000 square feet if they are located in an area already zoned for single-family residential use and are not within 3,000 feet of an airport [Section 5.5.6].
Sections Cited
- Section 2.1.2: Zoning Districts Established
- Section 2.2.2: Residential Estate | RE
- Section 2.2.3: Residential Single-Family-20 | RS-20
- Section 2.2.4: Residential Single-Family-15 | RS-15
- Section 2.2.5: Residential Single-Family-7.2 | RS-7.2
- Section 2.2.6: Residential Single-Family-5 | RS-5
- Section 2.2.7: Residential Medium-Density | RM-12
- Section 2.2.8: Residential Multi-Family-22 | RMF-22
- Section 2.2.9: Village on the Green at Tierra Verde | VG
- Section 3.1.5: Table of Allowed Uses
- Section 4.1.6: Setbacks
- Section 5.4.3: Off-Street Parking Standards
- Section 5.4.9: Parking Facility Location and Design
- Section 5.5.5: Residential Design Standards for Village on the Green at Tierra Verde
- Section 5.5.6: Residential Design Standards for Small-Lot Development
- Section 12.3.1: Residential Uses (Definitions)