Setback Requirements for the RMF-12 District in Fayetteville
In Fayetteville's RMF-12 (Residential Multi-family - Twelve (12) Units per Acre) district, primary structures must adhere to an urban form that utilizes a front build-to zone of 0 to 25 feet. Side setbacks are established at 5 feet for single-family or two-family dwellings and 8 feet for all other uses, while rear setbacks range from 5 feet for single-family homes to 20 feet for other permitted developments [Section 161.14(E)].
RMF-12 Setback Standards
The Fayetteville Unified Development Code (UDC) establishes specific distance requirements for property boundaries in the RMF-12 district to ensure a consistent urban fabric and appropriate separation between different types of residential uses.
| Boundary Type | Use or User Type | Required Setback/Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Front | All Permitted Uses | Build-to zone between 0 and 25 feet from the front property line |
| Side | Single-family and Two-family dwellings | 5 feet |
| Side | All other permitted uses | 8 feet |
| Rear | Single-family dwellings | 5 feet |
| Rear | All other permitted uses | 20 feet |
Building Height and Density Regulations
The RMF-12 district is designed to provide medium-density housing in Fayetteville with a maximum density of 12 units per acre [Section 161.14(C)]. The height of structures is also limited based on their proximity to the street.
| Regulation Category | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Maximum Density | 12 units per acre |
| Maximum Building Height | 2 stories (if within 10 feet of front property line) |
| Maximum Building Height | 3 stories (if more than 10 feet from front property line) |
| Maximum Building Area | 50% of the total lot area |
| Minimum Buildable Street Frontage | 50% of the lot width |
Height-Related Setback Increases
If a building in the RMF-12 district exceeds two stories, any portion of the structure above the second story must provide an additional setback from the side boundary line of any adjacent single-family district. This additional setback distance must be equal to the difference between the total height of that specific portion of the building and two stories [Section 161.14(F)].
Urban Form and Street Frontage
To maintain the intended urban character of the RMF-12 district, Fayetteville requires that at least 50% of the lot width be occupied by the vertical side of a building or structure within the designated build-to zone. This is known as the "Minimum Buildable Street Frontage" [Section 161.14(H)]. Additionally, while building area is capped at 50% of the lot, accessory ground-mounted solar energy systems are explicitly excluded from being considered "buildings" when calculating this coverage [Section 161.14(G)].
Sections Cited
- 161.14 - District RMF-12, Residential Multi-Family — Twelve (12) Units Per Acre
- 161.14(C) - Density
- 161.14(E) - Setback Requirements
- 161.14(F) - Building Height Regulations
- 161.14(G) - Building Area
- 161.14(H) - Minimum Buildable Street Frontage