Fayetteville Downtown Core (DC) Zoning District Guide
The Downtown Core (DC) zoning district represents the most intense and densest development area in Fayetteville, intended for a concentrated mix of commercial, office, residential, and governmental uses. Development in the Fayetteville Downtown Core is governed by specific "urban form" requirements, including a mandatory 80% minimum buildable street frontage and allowable building heights ranging from 5 to 14 stories depending on the structure's distance from the street.
Purpose and General Character
The Downtown Core (DC) district is designed by the City of Fayetteville to accommodate the high-intensity land uses typical of a central business district. Fayetteville established this zone to facilitate a wide range of functions, including retail, financial services, professional offices, and governmental headquarters [Section 161.26].
In terms of character, the Downtown Core is defined as an "urban form" district. This means the City of Fayetteville prioritizes the relationship between the building and the street. For the purposes of noise control regulations, the Downtown Core is classified as a commercial zone [Section 161.26].
Technical Development Standards
Development within the Fayetteville Downtown Core does not have established density limits or minimum lot area requirements. Instead, the district is regulated by its physical "form," focusing on how the building occupies the lot frontage and its height relative to the street [Section 161.26].
Setbacks and Build-to Zones
Buildings in the Downtown Core must be placed within a specific "build-to zone" to ensure a consistent urban wall along the sidewalk.
| Feature | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Front Setback (Build-to Zone) | 10 feet to 25 feet from the front property line |
| Side Setback | None |
| Rear Setback | 5 feet |
| Rear Setback (from Alley Centerline) | 12 feet |
| Minimum Buildable Street Frontage | 80% of the lot width |
Building Height
Height in the Downtown Core is permitted to be significantly greater than in other Fayetteville districts, provided the taller portions of the building are set back from the street [Section 161.26].
| Location of Building/Portion | Maximum Height Allowed |
|---|---|
| 0 to 15 feet from front property line/ROW | 5 stories |
| Greater than 15 feet from front property line/ROW | 14 stories |
Note: If a building exceeds two stories, Fayetteville requires an additional setback from any side boundary line of an adjacent single-family district [Section 161.26].
Permitted Land Uses
Fayetteville allows a diverse array of high-intensity uses in the Downtown Core, categorized by Use Units.
Primary Uses Permitted by Right
- Residential: Single-family, two-family, three- and four-family, and multi-family dwellings; accessory dwellings; cluster housing development [Section 161.26].
- Commercial and Service: Eating places (restaurants); hotels, motels, and amusement facilities; shopping goods; offices, studios, and related services; small-scale production; liquor stores [Section 161.26].
- Civic and Public: Government facilities; cultural and recreational facilities; sidewalk cafes [Section 161.26].
- Other: City-wide uses by right; home occupations; transportation trades and services; commercial recreation (small sites) [Section 161.26].
Conditional Uses
The following uses may be permitted in the Downtown Core only upon approval of a Conditional Use Permit by the Fayetteville Planning Commission:
- City-wide uses by conditional use permit [Section 161.26].
- Public protection and utility facilities [Section 161.26].
- Dance halls and outdoor music establishments [Section 161.26].
- Wireless communication facilities [Section 161.26].
- Clean technologies [Section 161.26].
- Private dormitories [Section 161.26].
Design and Parking Considerations
Fayetteville subjects the Downtown Core to the Downtown Design Overlay District (DDOD) standards. These regulations dictate specific architectural requirements for building elements such as balconies, awnings, and marquees to ensure the historic and functional character of the area is maintained [Section 166.21].
Regarding parking, Fayetteville does not require a minimum number of spaces for non-residential uses in the Downtown Core. However, the maximum number of spaces provided is limited by the City's specific parking ratios. Off-site parking lots are strictly prohibited from being located within the build-to zone [Section 172.04; Section 172.05].
Sections Cited
- Section 160.01 - Establishment Of Districts
- Section 161.26 - Downtown Core
- Section 166.21 - Downtown Design Overlay District
- Section 172.04 - Parking Lot Design Standards
- Section 172.05 - Standards For The Number Of Spaces By Use