Fayetteville RSF-.5: Residential Single-family District Guide

The Fayetteville RSF-.5 district is a very low-density residential zone that requires a minimum lot size of two acres (71,438 square feet) and limits density to approximately one-half unit per acre. Primary permitted uses in the Fayetteville RSF-.5 district include single-family detached dwellings, accessory dwellings, and short-term rentals, with structures limited to a maximum height of three stories [Section 161.04].

Purpose and General Character

The Fayetteville RSF-.5 zoning district is specifically designed to accommodate single-family detached residences on large-scale lots. The general character of the Fayetteville RSF-.5 district is defined by its expansive open space and low-intensity land use, maintaining a gross density of roughly one unit for every two acres of land [Section 161.04]. This district often serves as a transition between more developed urban areas and agricultural or rural environments.

Technical Development Standards

All development within the Fayetteville RSF-.5 district must adhere to specific bulk, area, and setback requirements to maintain the low-density character of the neighborhood.

Bulk and Area Regulations

Standard	Requirement
Minimum Lot Area	71,438 square feet (2 acres)
Minimum Lot Width	200 feet
Land Area Per Dwelling Unit	71,438 square feet
Maximum Building Height	3 stories
Maximum Density	0.5 units per acre

Setback Requirements

Setback Type	Minimum Distance
Front Setback	35 feet
Side Setback	20 feet
Rear Setback	35 feet

[Section 161.04]

Land Use Permissions

The Fayetteville Unified Development Code (UDC) categorizes land uses into "Use Units." In the Fayetteville RSF-.5 district, these are divided into uses allowed by right and those requiring conditional approval.

Permitted Uses (Allowed by Right)

Use Unit 1 (City-wide uses by right): Includes public facilities, field crop farms, forests, and essential services like sidewalks and street signs [Section 162.01].
Use Unit 8 (Single-family dwellings): Standard detached residential homes [Section 162.01].
Use Unit 41 (Accessory dwellings): Secondary complete housekeeping units, such as carriage houses or basement apartments, which are not subject to the typical 50% size limit of other accessory structures [Section 151.01].
Use Unit 46 (Short-term rentals): Residential units leased for periods of less than 30 consecutive days [Section 161.04].

Conditional Uses

Certain activities require specific approval from the Fayetteville Planning Commission to ensure they do not negatively impact the residential nature of the Fayetteville RSF-.5 district:

Use Unit 2: City-wide uses by conditional use permit (e.g., bed and breakfasts, campgrounds).
Use Unit 3: Public protection and utility facilities.
Use Unit 4: Cultural and recreational facilities (e.g., churches, schools, libraries).
Use Unit 5: Government facilities.
Use Unit 24: Home occupations (business activities conducted within a dwelling).
Use Unit 36: Wireless communications facilities.
Use Unit 44: Cluster Housing Development.

[Section 161.04, Section 162.01]

Parking and Transportation

Fayetteville requires off-street parking for residential uses in the RSF-.5 district to prevent traffic congestion and maintain neighborhood aesthetics.

Residential Use Type	Minimum Parking Spaces Required	Maximum Parking Spaces Allowed
Single-family	2 per dwelling unit	None

[Section 172.05, Table 3]

Sections Cited

Section 151.01 Definitions
Section 161.04 District RSF-.5, Residential Single-Family — One-Half (½) Unit Per Acre
Section 162.01 Establishment/Listing (Use Units)
Section 172.05 Standards For The Number Of Spaces By Use