R-A District Setback Requirements in Fayetteville
In the City of Fayetteville, the R-A: Residential-Agricultural district requires a minimum front setback of 35 feet, a side setback of 20 feet, and a rear setback of 35 feet. These requirements are established to preserve agricultural land and ensure an orderly transition to urban development while protecting the community's general welfare.
Primary Setback Standards for the R-A District
The Fayetteville Unified Development Code (UDC) specifies exact numerical distances for structures within the R-A: Residential-Agricultural district. These standards apply to all primary uses within the zone to maintain the open, agricultural character intended for the district [Section 161.03(E)].
| Setback Type | Minimum Distance Requirement |
|---|---|
| Front Setback | 35 feet |
| Side Setback | 20 feet |
| Rear Setback | 35 feet |
Measuring and Applying Setbacks in Fayetteville
The City of Fayetteville defines a setback as a required open space that must remain unoccupied and unobstructed from the ground upward, with the exception of specific permitted projections such as fences, poles, or ornaments [Section 151.01].
- Front Setback Measurement: In the R-A district and throughout Fayetteville, the front setback is measured from the street right-of-way or the street right-of-way setback as required by the City's Master Street Plan [Section 161.01(F)(1)].
- Permitted Projections: Architectural features such as eaves, chimneys, utility chases, or bay windows are permitted to encroach into a required setback by no more than 3 feet. However, these projections must not intrude into a public right-of-way [Section 151.01].
- Visibility at Intersections: On corner lots within Fayetteville residential districts, structures or plantings must be positioned to maintain a clear vision zone. Nothing permanent over 30 inches high may be installed in a way that materially impedes the vision of vehicular or pedestrian traffic [Section 164.17(A)].
Additional Height-Related Setback Requirements
The City of Fayetteville imposes additional setback requirements in the R-A: Residential-Agricultural district based on the height of the structure. While there is no absolute maximum height limit in this district, multi-story buildings must account for the following:
If a building exceeds one story in height, the portion of the structure above the first story must be set back further from any boundary line of an adjacent residential district. This additional distance must be equal to the difference between the total height of that portion of the building and the height of a single story [Section 161.03(F)].
Sections Cited
- Section 151.01 - Definitions (Setback)
- Section 161.01 - Application Of District Regulations
- Section 161.03 - District R-A, Residential-Agricultural
- Section 164.17 - Visibility At Intersections In Residential/Nonresidential Districts