RSF-.5 District: Residential Single-family Development Guide for Fayetteville
In the City of Fayetteville, the RSF-.5 (Residential Single-family - One-Half Unit per Acre) district is designed for single-family detached residences on large lots with a minimum size of 71,438 square feet. This zoning designation limits gross density to approximately one-half (½) unit per acre and restricts building heights to a maximum of three stories.
Allowed Uses in the RSF-.5 District
The Fayetteville Unified Development Code (UDC) categorizes uses within the RSF-.5 district as either permitted by right or allowable as a conditional use.
Permitted Uses (By Right)
Fayetteville residents and developers in the RSF-.5 district are permitted to establish the following uses without a conditional use permit, provided they meet all other specific standards of the UDC:
- Unit 1: City-wide uses by right. Includes agricultural, forestry, and fishery uses (such as field crop farms or forests), essential services located in public rights-of-way (fire hydrants, sidewalks, street signs), and recreation/open space areas (parks, parkways, and wildlife preserves) [Section 162.01(A)].
- Unit 8: Single-family dwellings. Traditional detached residential structures [Section 161.04(B)].
- Unit 41: Accessory dwellings. Secondary, complete housekeeping units, such as a detached guest cottage or an apartment within or attached to the principal house [Section 164.19].
- Unit 46: Short-term rentals. Units leased for periods of less than thirty (30) consecutive days [Section 164.26].
Conditional Uses
The following uses may be allowed in the Fayetteville RSF-.5 district only after review and approval of a conditional use permit by the Planning Commission:
- Unit 2: City-wide uses by conditional use permit. Includes public and private facilities such as bed and breakfasts, campgrounds, community recycling drop-off centers, and water recreation areas [Section 162.01(B)].
- Unit 3: Public protection and utility facilities. Includes infrastructure like electric regulating stations and transmission towers [Section 162.01(C)].
- Unit 4: Cultural and recreational facilities. Includes churches, libraries, schools (elementary, junior, and senior high), museums, and playfields [Section 162.01(D)].
- Unit 5: Government facilities. Includes fire stations, post offices, and other governmental offices [Section 162.01(E)].
- Unit 24: Home occupations. Businesses conducted within the residence by the occupants that generate some motor vehicle traffic [Section 163.08].
- Unit 36: Wireless communications facilities. Includes cellular towers and related equipment [Section 163.13].
- Unit 44: Cluster Housing Development. Specialized developments that allow for unique grouping of residential units to preserve open space [Section 164.22].
Prohibited Uses in the RSF-.5 District
Under the Fayetteville Unified Development Code, any use not explicitly listed as a permitted or conditional use for a specific district is prohibited. In the RSF-.5 district, this includes, but is not limited to:
- Multi-Family and Intermediate Residential: Two-family dwellings (duplexes), three-family or four-family dwellings, and large-scale apartment complexes (except where authorized as a Cluster Housing Development via a conditional use permit) [Section 161.04].
- Commercial and Retail: Any use under Unit 13 (Eating places), Unit 16 (Shopping goods), Unit 17 (Transportation trades), or Unit 18 (Gasoline service stations) [Section 162.01].
- Industrial and Heavy Manufacturing: Uses classified under Unit 21 (Warehousing), Unit 22 (Manufacturing), or Unit 23 (Heavy Industrial) [Section 162.01].
- Sexually Oriented Businesses: These are explicitly restricted from residential districts in Fayetteville [Section 163.11].
Technical Development Standards
Developers in Fayetteville must adhere to the following dimensional and bulk requirements when building within the RSF-.5 district:
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Maximum Density | 1/2 unit per acre (approx.) |
| Minimum Lot Width | 200 feet |
| Minimum Lot Area | 71,438 square feet |
| Minimum Land Area Per Dwelling | 71,438 square feet |
| Maximum Building Height | 3 stories |
| Front Setback | 35 feet |
| Side Setback | 20 feet |
| Rear Setback | 35 feet |
[Source: Section 161.04(C)-(F)]
Building Area and Canopy Requirements
In addition to the bulk standards, the RSF-.5 district in Fayetteville requires a minimum tree canopy preservation. For new developments, the Percent Minimum Canopy is set at 25% [Section 167.04(C)]. If the property is located within the Hillside/Hilltop Overlay District (HHOD), the minimum canopy requirement is increased by 5% to a total of 30% [Section 167.04(C)].
Sections Cited
- Section 161.04 - District RSF-.5, Residential Single-Family — One-Half (½) Unit Per Acre
- Section 162.01 - Use Units: Listing and Descriptions
- Section 163.02 - Authority; Conditions, Procedures for Conditional Uses
- Section 163.08 - Home Occupations
- Section 163.11 - Sexually Oriented Business
- Section 163.13 - Wireless Communications Facilities
- Section 164.19 - Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU)
- Section 164.22 - Cluster Housing Development
- Section 164.26 - Short-Term Rentals
- Section 167.04 - Tree Preservation and Protection During Development