A-2.5A One-Family District Allowed and Prohibited Uses in Fort Worth
The A-2.5A One-family district in the City of Fort Worth is established for rural-style residential development, requiring a minimum lot size of two and one-half acres for each single-family dwelling. This City of Fort Worth zoning designation primarily permits detached one-family homes, agricultural activities, and essential public or civic facilities while strictly prohibiting higher-density residential types, such as duplexes and apartments, and most commercial enterprises.
Primary Allowed Uses (By Right)
In the City of Fort Worth A-2.5A One-family district, the following uses are permitted "by right," meaning they do not require a special permit as long as they adhere to standard district regulations [§ 4.601]:
- Residential: Detached one-family dwellings [§ 4.603].
- Education and Government: Public or private elementary and secondary schools, museums, libraries, and fine arts centers operated by a government entity [§ 4.603].
- Religious and Civic: Places of worship, public or private parks, playgrounds, and neighborhood recreation centers [§ 4.603].
- Recreation: Private country clubs and golf courses [§ 4.603].
- Other: Terrace garages (within required yard setbacks) [§ 4.603].
Allowed Uses with Supplemental Standards
The City of Fort Worth permits several uses in the A-2.5A One-family district only if they comply with specific supplemental development criteria listed in Chapter 5 of the zoning code [§ 4.601]:
- Residential/Group Living: Industrialized housing, boarding home facilities (limited to a maximum of six residents), and community homes [§ 4.603, § 5.153].
- Agricultural: Community gardens and the keeping of large animals [§ 4.603].
- Utilities and Industrial: Telecommunications antennas (attached to existing structures), utility transmission lines, and gas drilling and production [§ 4.603].
- Home-Based and Temporary: Home occupations, accessory buildings, garage or occasional sales, and fresh market mobile vendors [§ 4.603, § 5.116A].
Special Exception Uses
Certain uses in the City of Fort Worth A-2.5A One-family district require approval from the Board of Adjustment through a special exception process to ensure compatibility with the surrounding neighborhood [§ 4.601, § 4.702]:
- Communication: Stealth telecommunications towers [§ 4.603].
- Accessory Structures: Private carports or porte cocheres located within a front yard [§ 4.603, § 5.301].
Prohibited Uses
Any use not explicitly listed as permitted or allowed by special exception is prohibited in the A-2.5A One-family district [§ 4.103]. Key prohibited uses in this City of Fort Worth district include:
- Density-Related Residential: Two-family dwellings (duplexes), townhouses, zero lot line homes, and all forms of multifamily apartments [§ 4.603].
- Commercial Lodging: Bed and breakfast homes/inns, hotels, and motels [§ 4.603].
- Commercial Sales and Service: Retail stores, auto repair shops, car washes, and professional offices [§ 4.803].
- Industrial: Light or heavy manufacturing, warehouses, and junk yards [§ 4.803].
- Other: Day care centers, halfway houses, and shelters [§ 4.603].
Property Development Standards
All development in the City of Fort Worth A-2.5A One-family district must adhere to the following dimensional and density requirements [§ 4.700]:
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum Lot Area | 2.5 acres (108,900 square feet) |
| Minimum Lot Width | 150 feet at the building line |
| Maximum Lot Coverage | 20% of the total lot area |
| Minimum Front Yard | 35 feet |
| Minimum Rear Yard | 25 feet |
| Minimum Side Yard | 25 feet |
| Maximum Building Height | 35 feet |
Parking Requirements
The City of Fort Worth requires specific off-street parking ratios for residential uses within the A-2.5A One-family district to maintain neighborhood character [§ 4.700, § 6.201]:
| Number of Bedrooms | Required Off-Street Parking Spaces |
|---|---|
| 1 to 3 Bedrooms | 2 spaces (must be located behind the front building wall) |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 2 spaces behind the front wall plus 1 space per additional bedroom |
Sections Cited
- Section 4.103 Compliance with District Standards
- Section 4.601 Key to Table Designations
- Section 4.603 Residential District Use Table
- Section 4.700 One-Family ("A-2.5A") District
- Section 4.702 One-Family ("A-21") District
- Section 4.803 Non-Residential District Use Table
- Section 5.116A Home Occupations
- Section 5.153 Boarding Home Facilities
- Section 5.301 Accessory Uses on Residential Lots
- Section 6.201 Off-Street Parking Requirements