Residential Lot Coverage Standards in the City of Arlington

In the City of Arlington, maximum lot coverage for most low-density single-family residential districts—including the RE, RS-20, RS-15, RS-7.2, RS-5, and VG districts—is capped at 40% [Section 2.2.2 through Section 2.2.6, Section 2.2.9]. Higher density residential developments allow for significantly more coverage, ranging from 60% in the RM-12 district for single-family homes to as high as 90% for townhouses and multi-family structures in the RMF-22 district [Section 2.2.7, Section 2.2.8]. Specialized residential developments, such as small-lot developments on unplatted tracts and cottage communities, are permitted maximum coverages of 70% and 60%, respectively [Section 5.5.6, Section 5.11.4].

General Definition and Calculation

According to the City of Arlington Unified Development Code, lot coverage is defined as the percentage of a lot area covered by primary and accessory buildings [Section 4.1.4.A].

For single-family residential uses within the RE, RS-20, RS-15, RS-7.2, RS-5, RM-12, VG, and PD zoning districts, the City of Arlington excludes the following from maximum lot coverage calculations:

Paving for parking facilities, driveways, or sidewalks;
Swimming pools;
Decks;
Uncovered patios [Section 4.1.4.A, Section 4.1.4.B].

Maximum Lot Coverage by Residential District

The City of Arlington establishes specific maximum lot coverage limits based on the zoning district and the specific type of residential use within that district.

Zoning District	Residential Use Type	Maximum Lot Coverage (%)
RE (Residential Estate)	Single-family	40%
RS-20 (Residential Single-Family-20)	Single-family	40%
RS-15 (Residential Single-Family-15)	Single-family	40%
RS-7.2 (Residential Single-Family-7.2)	Single-family	40%
RS-5 (Residential Single-Family-5)	Single-family	40%
RM-12 (Residential Medium-Density)	Single-family	60%
	Duplex	60%
	Townhouse	75%
RMF-22 (Residential Multi-Family-22)	Duplex	80%
	Townhouse	90%
	Multi-family	90%
VG (Village on the Green)	Single-family	40%

[Sources: Section 2.2.2.E, Section 2.2.3.E, Section 2.2.4.E, Section 2.2.5.E, Section 2.2.6.E, Section 2.2.7.E, Section 2.2.8.E, Section 2.2.9.C]

Standards for Special Residential Developments

The City of Arlington Unified Development Code provides alternative lot coverage standards for specific development types that may deviate from standard district requirements.

Small-Lot Development on Unplatted Tracts

For small-lot developments located on unplatted residential-zoned tracts of five acres or more, the City of Arlington permits a maximum lot coverage of 70% [Section 5.5.6.D.1, Table 5.5-7]. This standard applies to both single-family detached homes and townhouses within these specific developments.

Cottage Community Design Standards

In the City of Arlington, Cottage Communities—which are only approved as Planned Developments in the RM-12 zoning district—are subject to a maximum lot or pad coverage of 60% [Section 5.11.1, Section 5.11.4.G]. Similar to general residential standards, this calculation excludes paving, swimming pools, decks, and uncovered patios [Section 5.11.4.G.2].

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