Off-Street Parking Requirements for Fayetteville’s RMF-12 District

Residential developments in Fayetteville’s RMF-12 district are subject to specific minimum and maximum parking ratios, typically requiring one space per bedroom for multi-family units and two spaces per unit for single-family dwellings. For commercial or non-residential projects permitted via conditional use in the RMF-12 district, the City of Fayetteville establishes no minimum off-street parking requirement, though developers must provide a parking analysis justifying the proposed supply. All off-street parking in this district must be located to the side or rear of the principal building, as parking is strictly prohibited in the front yard between the structure and the street right-of-way [Section 172.04 and Section 172.05].

Residential Parking Ratios

In the RMF-12 (Residential Multi-family - Twelve Units per Acre) district, the number of required off-street parking spaces is determined by the specific residential use type. The City of Fayetteville uses Table 3 to establish both minimum and maximum thresholds for these developments.

Residential Use Type	Minimum Parking Spaces Required	Maximum Parking Spaces Allowed
Single-family	2 per dwelling unit	None
Duplex, triplex, or quadplex	2 per dwelling unit	4 per dwelling unit
Townhouse	2 per dwelling unit or 1 per bedroom (whichever is greater)	1 per bedroom
Multi-family	1 per bedroom	1 per bedroom

[Section 172.05]

Residential Parking Reductions

The City of Fayetteville allows for significant reductions in the minimum required parking for residential projects based on the scale of the development:

1—50 bedrooms: Up to 35% reduction.
51—100 bedrooms: Up to 20% reduction.
101—250 bedrooms: Up to 15% reduction.
251+ bedrooms: Up to 10% reduction.
Urban Corridors: Multi-family projects along N. College Ave and S. School Ave may qualify for additional reductions upon Planning Commission approval [Section 172.05 (B)].

Commercial and Non-Residential Parking

Non-residential uses, which are permitted as conditional uses in the RMF-12 district (such as Professional Offices or Limited Business), are governed by different standards:

No Minimum Requirement: The City of Fayetteville does not mandate a minimum number of off-street parking spaces for non-residential uses.
Justification Required: Applicants must provide a statement or parking analysis demonstrating that the proposed parking will be sufficient for the use without negatively impacting adjacent properties or creating dangerous traffic conditions.
Maximum Limit: The maximum number of spaces is generally limited by the ratios found in the residential table or as determined by the Planning Division for the most similar use [Section 172.05 (A)].

Design and Location Standards

Because the RMF-12 district utilizes a "build-to zone" for its front setbacks, it is subject to specific urban form design requirements regarding the placement and screening of parking [Section 161.14 (E)].

Placement and Access

Prohibited in Front Yards: Drive-thru lanes, parking lot drive aisles, and parking spaces are not permitted in the front yard directly between a building and the Master Street Plan right-of-way.
Side or Rear Location: The City of Fayetteville requires parking to be located to the side or rear of buildings to maintain a pedestrian-friendly streetscape.
Maneuvering: Parking lots must be designed so that all vehicles exit the lot in a forward motion [Section 172.04].
Garage Entries: In urban residential projects, garage entries and carports may not protrude forward from the principal facade of the building [Section 166.23 (C)].

Screening and Landscaping

Parking lots containing five or more spaces must be screened from the public right-of-way and adjacent properties when those properties are in residential zones. Screening must include shrubs and/or graded berms [Section 166.25 (D)].

Bicycle Parking Requirements

The City of Fayetteville requires that all new construction or expansions in the RMF-12 district provide bicycle parking:

Residential: One bicycle rack space per 30 dwelling units (Minimum of 1 rack).
Non-Residential: One bicycle rack space per 20 automobile parking spaces (Minimum of 1 rack) [Section 172.10 (C)].

Sections Cited

161.14 District RMF-12, Residential Multi-Family — Twelve (12) Units Per Acre
166.23 Urban Residential Design Standards
166.25 Commercial, Office and Mixed-use Design and Development Standards
172.04 Parking Lot Design Standards
172.05 Standards For The Number Of Spaces By Use
172.10 Bicycle Parking Rack Requirements