RSF-1: Residential Single-Family - One (1) Unit Per Acre in Fayetteville

The RSF-1 zoning district in the City of Fayetteville is designed for very low-density residential environments, limiting development to one (1) detached dwelling unit per acre with a minimum lot size of 35,720 square feet. Buildings in this district are restricted to a maximum height of three (3) stories and must maintain substantial setbacks, including 35 feet for front and rear yards.

Purpose and General Character

The primary purpose of the RSF-1: Residential Single-family - One (1) Unit per Acre district is to permit and encourage the development of very low-density detached dwellings in suitable environments. The City of Fayetteville utilizes this designation to protect existing low-density developments and ensure that new construction maintains this established residential character [Section 161.05 (A)]. This district is characterized by large lots, significant open space, and a minimum tree canopy requirement of 25% to preserve the natural landscape [Section 167.04 (C), Table 1].

Permitted Land Uses

Land uses in the RSF-1 district are categorized into those permitted by right and those requiring a conditional use permit.

Uses Permitted by Right

The City of Fayetteville allows the following uses as a matter of right in the RSF-1 district:

Unit 1: City-wide uses by right, which includes public facilities, essential services (e.g., fire hydrants, sidewalks), and agricultural activities such as field crops and forests [Section 162.01 (A)].
Unit 8: Single-family dwellings, consisting of traditional detached residential homes [Section 162.01 (H)].
Unit 41: Accessory dwellings, which allows for a separate, complete housekeeping unit on the same lot as a primary structure [Section 162.01 (PP)].
Unit 46: Short-term rentals, permitting the leasing of a dwelling unit or bedroom for periods of less than thirty (30) consecutive days [Section 162.01 (UU)].

Conditional Uses

The following uses may be permitted in the RSF-1 district subject to approval by the Fayetteville Planning Commission:

Unit 2: City-wide uses by conditional use permit, such as bed and breakfasts, campgrounds, and plant nurseries [Section 162.01 (B)].
Unit 3: Public protection and utility facilities [Section 162.01 (C)].
Unit 4: Cultural and recreational facilities, including schools, churches, and libraries [Section 162.01 (D)].
Unit 5: Government facilities [Section 162.01 (E)].
Unit 24: Home occupations, allowing for certain business activities within the home that do not negatively impact the residential neighborhood [Section 162.01 (Y)].
Unit 36: Wireless communications facilities [Section 162.01 (KK)].
Unit 44: Cluster Housing Development, which allows for more innovative arrangements of homes to preserve open space [Section 162.01 (SS)].

Development Standards

The City of Fayetteville enforces strict bulk, area, and setback requirements to maintain the low-density nature of the RSF-1 district.

Bulk and Area Regulations

Standard	Requirement
Max Units Per Acre	1 Unit
Lot Width Minimum	150 feet
Lot Area Minimum	35,720 square feet
Land Area Per Dwelling Unit	35,720 square feet

Setback Requirements

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

Building Height and Area

The maximum building height in the RSF-1 district is three (3) stories [Section 161.05 (H)]. There is currently no maximum building area percentage established specifically for this district [Section 161.05 (I)].

Parking Requirements

Off-street parking in the RSF-1 district is calculated based on the residential use type.

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

Sections Cited

Section 161.05: District RSF-1, Residential Single-Family — One (1) Unit Per Acre
Section 162.01: Use Units Listing and Descriptions
Section 167.04: Tree Preservation and Protection During Development (Table 1)
Section 172.05: Standards For The Number Of Spaces By Use (Table 3)