Single-Family Residential Permissions in Fayetteville
In the City of Fayetteville, single-family residential dwellings are primarily permitted by right in all Residential Single-Family (RSF), Residential Intermediate (RI), and Residential Multi-Family (RMF) districts. While most commercial and urban districts also allow these homes by right to encourage a mix of uses, the Neighborhood Commercial (C-1) and Institutional (P-1) districts require a conditional use permit for single-family construction.
Permitted Districts for Single-Family Dwellings
Single-family dwellings (defined as Use Unit 8) are allowed in the majority of Fayetteville's zoning districts. The specific level of permission (by right versus conditional) depends on the intent of the district.
Districts Allowing Single-Family by Right
The following districts in the City of Fayetteville permit single-family dwellings as a primary use without requiring a conditional use permit:
- Residential Districts: R-A (Residential-Agricultural), RSF-.5, RSF-1, RSF-2, RSF-4, RSF-7, RSF-8, RSF-18, RI-12 (Residential Intermediate), RI-U (Residential Intermediate-Urban), RMF-6, RMF-12, RMF-18, RMF-24, and RMF-40 [Sections 161.03–161.17].
- Commercial and Office Districts: R-O (Residential-Office), NS-L (Neighborhood Services-Limited), NS-G (Neighborhood Services-General), CS (Community Services), C-3 (Central Commercial), and NC (Neighborhood Conservation) [Sections 161.18–161.22, 161.25, 161.29].
- Urban Districts: UT (Urban Thoroughfare), DC (Downtown Core), MSC (Main Street Center), DG (Downtown General), and UC (Urban Corridor) [Sections 161.24, 161.26–161.28, 161.36].
Districts Requiring a Conditional Use Permit
In certain specialized districts, the City of Fayetteville requires a conditional use permit for single-family dwellings to ensure they do not conflict with the primary purpose of the zone:
- C-1 (Neighborhood Commercial): Allowed only as a conditional use [Section 161.21(B)(2)].
- P-1 (Institutional): Allowed only as a conditional use [Section 161.32(B)(2)].
Development Standards for Single-Family Homes
Fayetteville enforces specific bulk and area regulations for single-family homes depending on the density of the district. These standards dictate the minimum lot size and the width required for a building site.
| District | Minimum Lot Area | Minimum Lot Width |
|---|---|---|
| R-A | 2 Acres | 200 Feet |
| RSF-.5 | 2 Acres (71,438 sq. ft.) | 200 Feet |
| RSF-1 | 35,720 Square Feet | 150 Feet |
| RSF-2 | 17,860 Square Feet | 100 Feet |
| RSF-4 | 8,000 Square Feet | 70 Feet |
| RSF-7 | 6,000 Square Feet | 60 Feet |
| RSF-8 | 5,000 Square Feet | 50 Feet |
| RSF-18 | 2,500 Square Feet | 30 Feet |
| RI-12 | 5,000 Square Feet | 50 Feet |
[Sections 161.03(D) through 161.11(D)]
Setback Requirements
The City of Fayetteville requires specific separations between structures and property lines. These vary significantly between lower-density rural/agricultural zones and higher-density urban zones.
| District Grouping | Front Setback | Side Setback | Rear Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| R-A, RSF-.5, RSF-1 | 35 Feet | 20 Feet | 35 Feet |
| RSF-2 | 30 Feet | 15 Feet | 30 Feet |
| RSF-4, RSF-7 | 15 Feet | 5 Feet | 15 Feet |
| RSF-8 | 15 Feet | 5 Feet | 5 Feet |
| RI-12, RI-U, RMF | Build-to Zone* | 5 Feet | 5 Feet |
*Higher density and urban districts often utilize a "Build-to Zone" rather than a traditional minimum setback to maintain a consistent streetscape [Sections 161.10(E), 161.11(E)].
Parking Standards for Single-Family Dwellings
For single-family homes in Fayetteville, the city requires a minimum of two (2) off-street parking spaces per dwelling unit [Section 172.05, Table 3].
Sections Cited
- Section 161.03 - District R-A, Residential-Agricultural
- Section 161.04 - District RSF-.5, Residential Single-Family — One-Half (½) Unit Per Acre
- Section 161.05 - District RSF-1, Residential Single-Family — One (1) Unit Per Acre
- Section 161.06 - District RSF-2, Residential Single-Family — Two (2) Units Per Acre
- Section 161.07 - District RSF-4, Residential Single-Family — Four (4) Units Per Acre
- Section 161.08 - District RSF-7, Residential Single-Family — Seven (7) Units Per Acre
- Section 161.09 - District RSF-8, Residential Single-Family — Eight (8) Units Per Acre
- Section 161.10 - District RSF-18, Residential Single-Family — Eighteen (18) Units Per Acre
- Section 161.11 - District RI-12, Residential Intermediate, Twelve (12) Units Per Acre
- Section 161.21 - District C-1, Neighborhood Commercial
- Section 161.32 - District P-1, Institutional
- Section 162.01 - Establishment/Listing (Use Units)
- Section 172.05 - Standards For The Number Of Spaces By Use