Residential Livestock and Animal Production in the City of Arlington

In the City of Arlington, animal production—which includes the raising of poultry for eggs or meat and the keeping of livestock like horses or sheep—is permitted by-right only in the RE (Residential Estate) district. In all other residential zoning classifications, including the RS-20, RS-15, RS-7.2, RS-5, RM-12, RMF-22, and VG (Village on the Green) districts, the commercial production of animals is a prohibited use. Residents in these restricted districts are generally limited to the "raising of pets" as an accessory use to household living, rather than agricultural or livestock activities [Section 12.3.1.A].

Allowed Agricultural and Animal Uses by District

The City of Arlington Unified Development Code regulates the keeping of animals primarily under the "Agriculture" and "Animal-Related Services" categories. The following table outlines where these activities are permitted within residential zones.

Use Category	Use Type	RE	RS-20	RS-15	RS-7.2	RS-5	RM-12	RMF-22	VG
Agriculture	Animal Production	P
Agriculture	Crop Production	P
Animal Services	Stables, Commercial	S*							S*
Household Living	Raising of Pets	P	P	P	P	P	P	P	P

P = Permitted By-Right; S = Specific Use Permit Required; Blank = Prohibited; Asterisk () = Supplemental Use Standards Apply.* [Table 3.1-1]

Animal Production and Chickens

The City of Arlington defines "Animal Production" as a facility or area for raising animals, including birds, and the development of animal products such as meat or eggs on a commercial basis [Section 12.3.3.A.1]. This definition specifically encompasses:

Poultry (chickens, turkeys, etc.)
Beef, horse, or sheep ranching
Piggeries
Dairying and fish farming

Because poultry and the production of eggs are explicitly categorized under "Animal Production," they are permitted only in the RE (Residential Estate) district. This district is specifically intended to accommodate large-lot single-family uses (minimum one acre) and "select agricultural activities" [Section 2.2.2.A].

Beekeeping and Unlisted Uses

The City of Arlington Unified Development Code does not explicitly list "beekeeping" or "apiaries" in its tables of allowed uses. When a use is not specifically listed, the City of Arlington Zoning Administrator must provide an interpretation to determine the appropriate classification [Section 3.1.4].

The Administrator considers factors such as the nature of the activity, potential nuisances (noise, odor, etc.), and the effect on adjacent lands [Section 3.1.4]. If beekeeping is interpreted as a form of "Animal Production," it would be restricted to the RE (Residential Estate) district.

Standards for the RE (Residential Estate) District

If a property is located in the RE (Residential Estate) district and is used for permitted agricultural or animal production purposes, it must adhere to specific dimensional standards.

Standard	Requirement for Single-Family/Agriculture
Minimum Lot Area	1 acre
Minimum Lot Width	100 feet
Minimum Lot Depth	150 feet
Front Setback (Arterial/Collector)	40 feet
Front Setback (Local Street)	20 feet
Side Setback	10 feet
Rear Setback	10 feet
Max. Building Height	50 feet

[Section 2.2.2]

Additional Regulatory Considerations

The City of Arlington Unified Development Code notes that even where zoning permits certain animal uses, the provisions of the "Animals" Chapter of the Arlington City Code may also be applicable [Section 3.2.3.A]. This separate chapter typically handles specific limits on animal numbers, sanitation requirements, and noise ordinances that may further restrict how many chickens or other animals can be kept even in the RE (Residential Estate) district.

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