Guide to the A-5: One-Family District in Fort Worth
The A-5: One-family district in the City of Fort Worth is a residential zone designed for single-family detached dwellings on lots with a minimum area of 5,000 square feet. This district maintains a traditional residential character with a maximum building height of 35 feet and strict exterior design requirements, including a mandate that at least 50% of exterior walls consist of masonry materials [§ 4.705(a), § 6.507(b)].
Purpose and Intent of the A-5 District
The primary purpose of the A-5: One-family district is to provide a specific zoning classification for the development of one-family dwellings and customarily incidental accessory uses. The City of Fort Worth established this district to ensure a density level appropriate for 5,000-square-foot lots while protecting the public health, safety, and general welfare of residential neighborhoods [§ 4.705(a)]. Under the City of Fort Worth’s district hierarchy, the "A" class of districts (including A-5) represents the most restrictive base zoning categories [Section 4.101].
Permitted Land Uses
Land use in the A-5: One-family district is primarily restricted to low-density residential and essential community facilities. The following table outlines the status of various land uses within the district.
Permitted Uses in A-5
| Use Category | Permitted Use Status |
|---|---|
| Household Living | One-family detached dwelling (P); Industrialized housing (P*) [§ 4.603] |
| Group Living | Boarding home facility (P*); Community home (P*); Group home I/II (P*) [§ 4.603] |
| Education/Public | Public/private elementary and secondary schools (P); Library, museum, or fine arts center (P) [§ 4.603] |
| Religious | Place of worship (P) [§ 4.603] |
| Recreation | Country club (P); Golf course (P); Neighborhood recreation center (P); Public/private park or playground (P) [§ 4.603] |
| Utilities | Stealth telecommunications towers (SE); Telecommunications antenna on structure (P*); Utility transmission line (P*) [§ 4.603] |
| Agricultural | Community garden (P*) [§ 4.603] |
(P) = Permitted by right; (P) = Permitted with supplemental standards; (SE) = Special Exception required.*
Property Development Standards
The City of Fort Worth imposes specific dimensional requirements for all structures within the A-5: One-family district to maintain consistent neighborhood character and adequate open space.
A-5 Dimensional Requirements
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum Lot Area | 5,000 square feet [§ 4.705(c)] |
| Minimum Lot Width | 50 feet at building line [§ 4.705(c)] |
| Maximum Lot Coverage | 50% [§ 4.705(c)] |
| Maximum Building Height | 35 feet [§ 4.705(c)] |
| Minimum Front Yard Setback | 20 feet (local streets) / 15 feet (limited local streets) [§ 4.705(c)] |
| Minimum Rear Yard Setback | 5 feet [§ 4.705(c)] |
| Minimum Side Yard Setback | 5 feet [§ 4.705(c)] |
| Street Side Setback (Interior) | 10 feet minimum adjacent to side street [§ 4.705(c)] |
| Corner Lot Setback | 5 feet minimum for interior lot line [§ 4.705(c)] |
Off-Street Parking Requirements
In the A-5: One-family district, the City of Fort Worth requires a minimum of two parking spaces per dwelling unit. These spaces must be located behind the front building wall for units with three or fewer bedrooms. For dwellings with more than three bedrooms, one additional space is required, which may be located in the driveway [§ 4.705(d)(2)].
General Character and Design Standards
The character of the A-5: One-family district is defined by the City of Fort Worth's Single-Family Residential Design Standards. These standards focus on the aesthetic quality and durability of the housing stock.
- Exterior Masonry: At least 50% of the exterior walls of a dwelling in the A-5: One-family district must be constructed of masonry. This include materials such as brick, stone, stucco, or cementitious fiber concrete products [§ 6.507(b)].
- Garage Limitations: To prevent garages from dominating the streetscape, attached garages facing a public or private street cannot project more than eight feet in front of the main front wall of the house [§ 6.507(c)].
- Infill Housing and Trees: For new "infill" houses (those built on vacant lots in established areas), the City of Fort Worth requires at least one three-inch caliper front yard tree and one three-foot caliper street parkway tree. The lot must achieve a minimum of 40% canopy cover [§ 6.507(d)].
- Separation of Structures: Detached accessory buildings must be located behind the rear wall of the primary residence and must be at least 75 feet from the front property line [§ 5.301(b)].
Sections Cited
- Section 4.101 District Hierarchy
- Section 4.603 Residential District Use Table
- Section 4.705 One-family (“A-5”) District
- Section 5.301 Accessory Uses on Residential Lots
- Section 6.100 Height
- Section 6.201 Off-street Parking Requirements
- Section 6.507 One-family Dwelling Unit Design Standards