RSF-7 Residential Single-Family District Guide for Fayetteville

The RSF-7: Residential Single-family - Seven (7) Units per Acre district in the City of Fayetteville is designed to encourage detached single-family dwellings at a density of up to seven units per acre. This zoning designation requires a minimum lot size of 6,000 square feet for single-family homes and maintains a maximum building height of three stories. While primarily residential, the City of Fayetteville allows for limited conditional uses such as two-family dwellings, home occupations, and small-scale business services to support neighborhood needs.

Allowed Uses in the RSF-7 District

The City of Fayetteville classifies allowed uses within the RSF-7 district into two categories: those permitted by right and those requiring a conditional use permit.

Permitted Uses (By Right)

Permitted uses are allowed without special discretionary review, provided they meet the standard requirements of the City of Fayetteville Unified Development Code (UDC).

• Unit 1: City-wide uses by right. This includes agricultural activities like field crop farms and orchards, essential services in the public right-of-way (fire hydrants, sidewalks, street signs), and public recreation areas such as parks and parkways [Section 162.01].
• Unit 8: Single-family dwellings. Traditional detached residential homes intended for one family [Section 162.01].
• Unit 41: Accessory dwellings. Secondary, complete housekeeping units with separate entrances and facilities, attached to or detached from a single-family structure [Section 162.01].
• Unit 46: Short-term rentals. Residential dwelling units or portions thereof leased to guests for periods of less than thirty consecutive days [Section 162.01].

Conditional Uses

Conditional uses require approval from the City of Fayetteville Planning Commission. The Commission must find that these uses will not adversely affect the public interest and are compatible with the surrounding neighborhood [Section 163.02].

• Unit 2: City-wide uses by conditional use permit. Examples include bed and breakfast facilities, campgrounds, and community recycling drop-off centers [Section 162.01].
• Unit 3: Public protection and utility facilities. Includes utility equipment like electric regulating stations or pressure control stations [Section 162.01].
• Unit 4: Cultural and recreational facilities. Examples include churches, cemeteries, libraries, and child care centers [Section 162.01].
• Unit 5: Government facilities. Main facilities for government agencies, such as fire stations or post offices [Section 162.01].
• Unit 9: Two-family dwellings. Duplexes and townhouse dwellings with no more than two attached units [Section 162.01].
• Unit 12a: Limited business. Small-scale establishments offering commercial goods/services like day care, tailoring, or professional offices, provided they are within a building of 3,000 square feet or less [Section 164.01].
• Unit 24: Home occupations. Businesses conducted on a residential property where financial compensation is received and those residing on the property are the primary employees [Section 162.01].
• Unit 36: Wireless communications facilities. Antennas and supporting structures for electromagnetic signals [Section 162.01].
• Unit 44: Cluster Housing Development. A development pattern allowing for shared open space and innovative housing variety [Section 162.01].

Prohibited Uses and Restrictions

The City of Fayetteville strictly prohibits certain uses and structures within the RSF-7 district to maintain its single-family character.

• General Prohibition: Any use not specifically listed as permitted or conditional is prohibited within the City of Fayetteville [Section 161.01].
• Manufactured Homes: Manufactured homes are generally restricted to manufactured home parks and are not permitted on individual lots in the RSF-7 district [Section 175.02].
• Tandem Lots: The development of more than one tandem lot behind another is prohibited [Section 164.25].
• Pole Signs: On-site pole signs are prohibited in the RSF-7 district, except for those specifically exempted as minor professional name plates or real estate signs [Section 174.10].
• Gated Streets: Gated access to streets is not allowed in most residential subdivisions to ensure city-wide connectivity [Section 171.02].

Technical Development Standards

The City of Fayetteville enforces specific bulk, area, and setback requirements to ensure uniform development within the RSF-7 district.

Bulk and Area Requirements

Standard	Single-Family	Two-Family	Townhouse (Max 2 attached)
Max Density (units/acre)	7 or less	7 or less	7 or less
Min Lot Width	60 feet	60 feet	30 feet
Min Lot Area	6,000 sq. ft.	6,000 sq. ft.	3,000 sq. ft.
Land Area Per Unit	6,000 sq. ft.	3,000 sq. ft.	3,000 sq. ft.

Setbacks and Building Height

Requirement	Standard
Front Setback	15 feet
Side Setback	5 feet
Rear Setback	15 feet
Max Building Height	3 stories
Max Building Area	50% of total lot area

Parking Standards

In the City of Fayetteville, RSF-7 residential properties must meet specific off-street parking requirements based on the dwelling type.

Use Type	Minimum Parking Requirement	Maximum Parking Allowed
Single-family	2 spaces per dwelling unit	4 spaces outdoors
Duplex (Two-family)	2 spaces per dwelling unit	4 per dwelling unit
Townhouse	2 per unit or 1 per bedroom (greater)	1 per bedroom

Sections Cited

• Section 161.01: Application of District Regulations
• Section 161.08: District RSF-7, Residential Single-Family — Seven (7) Units Per Acre
• Section 162.01: Establishment/Listing (Use Units)
• Section 163.02: Authority; Conditions, Procedures (Conditional Uses)
• Section 164.01: Accessory Commercial Uses
• Section 164.25: Tandem Lot Development
• Section 171.02: General Provisions (Streets and Sidewalks)
• Section 172.05: Standards For The Number Of Spaces By Use
• Section 172.11: Driveway and Parking Standards for Four (4) or Less Parking Spaces
• Section 174.10: On-Site Freestanding Signs
• Section 175.02: Manufactured Homes Restricted To Manufactured Home Parks