A-21 One-Family District Setback and Development Standards in Fort Worth

In the City of Fort Worth, the A-21: One-family district requires a minimum front yard setback of 30 feet, while the side and rear yard setbacks are both established at a minimum of 10 feet. These regulations support semi-rural development on lots with a minimum area of one-half acre (21,780 square feet) and a maximum building height of 35 feet.

Property Development Standards for the A-21 District

The A-21: One-family district in Fort Worth is intended to provide for semi-rural residential development. The following table outlines the specific yard and area requirements that must be met within this district:

Development Standard	A-21: One-family district Requirement
Minimum Lot Area	1/2 acre (21,780 square feet)
Minimum Lot Width	85 feet at the building line
Maximum Lot Coverage	30%
Minimum Front Yard Setback	30 feet
Minimum Rear Yard Setback	10 feet
Minimum Side Yard Setback	10 feet
Side Yard (Interior lot adjacent to side street)	15 feet minimum
Side Yard (Corner lot interior lot line)	10 feet minimum
Maximum Building Height	35 feet

[Section 4.702]

General Yard and Setback Regulations in Fort Worth

Beyond the specific requirements for the A-21: One-family district, the Fort Worth zoning code applies general standards to how these setbacks are measured and maintained.

Front Yard Setback Determination

In the A-21: One-family district, the actual front yard setback must be the greatest of the following three values:

The platted building line.
The 30-foot district minimum.
The setback of the nearest building on either side that is the closest to the street (up to a maximum of 50 feet). This "averaging" rule only applies if homes have been constructed on at least 40% of the lots within the blockface [Section 6.101].

Unobstructed Yard Requirements

Fort Worth regulations require that every part of a required yard remain open and unobstructed from its lowest point to the sky, with specific exceptions:

Architectural Features: Sills, belt courses, cornices, and chimneys may project up to six inches into a required yard.
Eaves: Roof eaves may project up to 36 inches into a required yard.
Porches and Patios: Open porches or patios with vertical roof supports may not be placed closer than 15 feet from the front property line on a local street [Section 6.101].

Corner and Interior Lot Projections

For corner lots in the A-21: One-family district, if the lot abuts the side of a lot facing an intersecting street, the side yard must be equal to the front yard required on the lot to the rear. For interior lots, if the lot abuts another zoning district, the projected front yard must equal the most restrictive front yard required on any lot within that same block face [Section 6.101].

Sections Cited