A-7.5: One-Family District in the City of Fort Worth
The A-7.5: One-family district in the City of Fort Worth is established to provide for detached single-family residential development on medium-sized lots with a minimum area of 7,500 square feet. This district requires a minimum lot width of 55 feet and limits building heights to 35 feet to preserve the traditional neighborhood character of Fort Worth. Residential compatibility is further maintained by specific setback requirements, including 20-foot front yards on local streets and 5-foot side and rear yards.
Purpose and Intent
The primary purpose of the A-7.5: One-family district is to create a residential zone that supports the development of one-family dwellings on individual lots alongside customarily accessory uses. This district is utilized by the City of Fort Worth to maintain compatible lot sizes in developed areas and to ensure that new development remains consistent with the character of adjacent residential uses while promoting the public health, safety, and general welfare [§ 4.704(a)].
Permitted Land Uses
Land uses within the A-7.5: One-family district are primarily residential, though several civic and public uses are allowed by right or with supplemental standards to support the neighborhood environment.
Residential and Group Living
- One-family detached dwellings: Permitted by right as the primary use of the district [§ 4.603].
- Community homes: Allowed subject to supplemental standards, such as a one-half-mile spacing requirement between facilities [§ 4.603, § 5.115].
- Home occupations: Residents may conduct gainful employment within the dwelling, provided the activity is clearly incidental to the residential use and does not alter the neighborhood's character [§ 5.116.A].
Public, Civic, and Institutional
- Educational Facilities: Public and private elementary and secondary schools are permitted by right [§ 4.603].
- Religious Sites: Places of worship and related auxiliary uses are permitted by right [§ 4.603].
- Recreation: Public parks, playgrounds, and neighborhood recreation centers are allowed to provide amenities to Fort Worth residents [§ 4.603].
Accessory and Temporary Uses
- Accessory Buildings: Structures such as private garages, carports, and tool sheds are permitted, provided they follow size and placement restrictions [§ 5.301].
- Community Gardens: Allowed subject to supplemental standards regarding operation and equipment [§ 4.603, § 5.146].
Property Development Standards
The City of Fort Worth mandates specific dimensional requirements for the A-7.5: One-family district to regulate density and ensure adequate open space between structures.
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum Lot Area | 7,500 square feet |
| Minimum Lot Width | 55 feet at building line |
| Maximum Lot Coverage | 45% |
| Front Yard Setback (Local Street) | 20 feet minimum |
| Front Yard Setback (Limited Local Street) | 15 feet minimum |
| Rear Yard Setback | 5 feet minimum |
| Side Yard Setback | 5 feet minimum |
| Maximum Building Height | 35 feet |
[Section 4.704(c)]
General Character and Design
The general character of the A-7.5: One-family district is defined by its focus on single-family detached homes with consistent masonry and parking standards.
Parking and Access
In the A-7.5: One-family district, the City of Fort Worth requires two parking spaces for dwelling units with three or fewer bedrooms. These spaces must be located behind the front building wall. For units with more than three bedrooms, an additional space must be provided, which may be located in the driveway [§ 4.704(d)(2)].
Exterior Construction
Exterior walls of residential structures in this district must consist of a minimum of 50% masonry. If a building face is exposed to a minor arterial or wider street, 100% masonry construction is required unless that face is obscured by a minimum six-foot masonry wall [§ 6.507(b)].
Accessory Structures
Non-habitable accessory structures, such as sheds, are limited to a height of 10 feet. If the structure exceeds 10 feet (up to a 12-foot maximum), it must be set back an additional two feet for every one foot of height over the 10-foot limit from the standard rear and side yard requirements [§ 5.301(b)(1)].
Sections Cited
- Section 4.100 Districts Established
- Section 4.603 Residential District Use Table
- Section 4.704 One-Family ("A-7.5") District
- Section 5.110 Community Home
- Section 5.115 Group Home I or II
- Section 5.116.A Home Occupations
- Section 5.146 Urban Agriculture and Community Gardens
- Section 5.301 Accessory Uses on Residential Lots
- Section 6.101 Yards
- Section 6.201 Off-Street Parking Requirements
- Section 6.507 One-Family Dwelling Unit Design Standards