Fort Worth A-7.5: One-family District Setback and Development Standards
In the Fort Worth A-7.5: One-family district, primary residential structures are required to maintain a minimum front yard setback of 20 feet on local streets or 15 feet on limited local streets. The Fort Worth zoning code further mandates minimum side and rear yard setbacks of 5 feet, with specific adjustments allowed for corner lots and detached garages located behind the rear wall of the dwelling.
Property Development Standards for the A-7.5 District
The Fort Worth A-7.5: One-family district is established for the development of one-family dwellings on lots with a minimum size of 7,500 square feet [Section 4.704]. The following table outlines the specific yard and setback requirements that must be followed within the City of Fort Worth for this district.
| Standard Type | A-7.5: One-family District Requirement |
|---|---|
| Front Yard (Local Streets) | 20 feet minimum |
| Front Yard (Limited Local Streets) | 15 feet minimum |
| Rear Yard | 5 feet minimum |
| Side Yard (Standard Interior Lot) | 5 feet minimum |
| Side Yard (Adjacent to Side Street) | 10 feet minimum |
| Corner Lot (Interior Lot Line) | 5 feet minimum |
| Lot Width | 55 feet minimum at building line |
| Maximum Lot Coverage | 45% |
| Maximum Height | 35 feet |
Front Yard Determination and Obstructions
In the Fort Worth A-7.5: One-family district, the required front yard setback is generally determined by selecting the greatest of the following three values: the platted building line, the standard district setback (20 or 15 feet), or the setback of the nearest building on either side (averaging), up to a maximum of 50 feet [Section 6.101].
The City of Fort Worth requires all yards to remain unobstructed from the ground to the sky, with specific exceptions for minor architectural features like sills, belt courses, cornices, and chimneys, which may project up to six inches into the required yard [Section 6.101]. Additionally, an open porch or patio with vertical roof supports must be set back at least 15 feet from the front property line on local streets and 10 feet on limited local streets [Section 6.101].
Setback Reductions for Garages and Accessory Structures
The Fort Worth A-7.5: One-family district allows for specific reductions in setbacks for garages and accessory buildings based on their placement on the lot:
Detached Garages
For detached garages located behind the rear wall of the primary house, the City of Fort Worth permits the side and rear yard setbacks to be reduced to three feet [Section 4.704].
Attached Garages
If a garage is attached to the primary residence, the side yard setback may be reduced to three feet from the property line, provided the garage is located at least 18 feet behind the front wall of the house [Section 4.704].
Accessory Buildings
Non-habitable accessory structures in the A-7.5: One-family district must be located behind the rear wall of the primary residence and must be at least 75 feet from the front property line or at the least restrictive building line [Section 5.301]. These structures are generally limited to a height of 10 feet; however, the height may be increased to 12 feet if the structure is set back an additional two feet for every one foot of height over 10 feet [Section 5.301].
Sections Cited
- Section 4.704: One-family (“A-7.5”) District
- Section 5.301: Accessory Uses on Residential Lots
- Section 6.101: Yards