RSF-1 District Setback Requirements in Fayetteville

In the City of Fayetteville, the RSF-1 (Residential Single-family - One Unit per Acre) district requires a minimum front setback of 35 feet, a side setback of 20 feet, and a rear setback of 35 feet for principal structures. These regulations are designed to maintain the low-density, open-space character of the RSF-1 district while ensuring proper separation between buildings and property lines.

Principal Structure Setback Standards

The primary building on a lot within the Fayetteville RSF-1 district must adhere to the following minimum setback distances as established in the Unified Development Code.

Setback Type	Minimum Requirement
Front Setback	35 Feet
Side Setback	20 Feet
Rear Setback	35 Feet

The front setback is measured from the street right-of-way or the street right-of-way setback as required by the City of Fayetteville Master Street Plan [Section 161.01].

Nuances and Exceptions

The City of Fayetteville Unified Development Code allows for certain specific adjustments or requirements based on the type of development or structural features.

Architectural Projections

Certain architectural features are permitted to encroach into the required setbacks of the RSF-1 district. Items such as eaves, utility chases, chimneys, or bay windows are not considered violations of the setback as long as they do not extend more than 3 feet into the required setback area [Section 151.01].

Tandem Lot Development

If a property in the RSF-1 district is developed as a tandem lot (a lot located behind another lot with less than 50% of the required street frontage), stricter setback standards apply. All structures on a tandem lot in the RSF-1 district must maintain a minimum building setback of 35 feet from all property lines [Section 164.25].

Accessory Structure Setbacks

Accessory structures (such as sheds or detached garages) in the RSF-1 district have different setback requirements depending on their height:

10 Feet or Less in Height: These structures must maintain a minimum side setback of 3 feet and a minimum rear setback of 5 feet.
Greater than 10 Feet in Height: These structures must meet the standard setbacks of the RSF-1 district (20 feet for sides and 35 feet for the rear) [Section 164.02].
Swimming Pools: Detached swimming pools are prohibited from being located within the required front setback of the RSF-1 district [Section 164.02].

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