Off-Street Parking Standards for the AR: One-family restricted district in the City of Fort Worth
In the City of Fort Worth's AR: One-family restricted district, residential projects typically require a minimum of two off-street parking spaces per dwelling unit, though this requirement increases to four spaces for homes located on limited local streets. All residential parking must be situated behind the front building line, and the use of the front yard for parking is strictly prohibited except upon a designated driveway. While the AR: One-family restricted district is primarily residential, permitted non-residential uses such as schools or places of worship must adhere to specific capacity-based ratios defined by the City of Fort Worth's general off-street parking table.
Residential Parking Ratios and Location
Residential developments within the AR: One-family restricted district must provide off-street parking based on the type of street frontage and the location of the building. The City of Fort Worth allows "stacked" or tandem parking spaces to be counted toward these mandatory totals [Section 4.706(d)(2)].
| Use Case | Minimum Parking Requirement |
|---|---|
| Standard Detached One-family Dwelling | 2 spaces per dwelling unit [Section 4.706(d)(2)] |
| Detached One-family on a "Limited Local Street" | 4 spaces per dwelling unit [Section 4.706(d)(2)] |
| Bed and Breakfast Home (Conditional Use) | 2 spaces for owner/operator plus 1 space per guest bedroom [Section 6.201] |
For residences on limited local streets, at least two of the required four spaces must be located behind the front building line [Section 4.706(d)(2)]. A "Limited Local Street" is specifically defined by the City of Fort Worth as a street not more than 600 feet in length ending in a cul-de-sac and serving 25 or fewer units, or a loop-type street not more than 1,600 feet in length serving 80 or fewer units [Section 9.101].
Non-Residential and Commercial Parking Ratios
While the AR: One-family restricted district is designed for one-family dwellings, certain civic and limited commercial uses are permitted or allowed via Conditional Use Permit (CUP). These projects must meet the following City of Fort Worth standards:
| Use Type | Parking Ratio Requirement |
|---|---|
| Place of Worship | 1 space per 4 seats in the sanctuary [Section 6.201] |
| School (Elementary and Junior High) | 2.5 spaces per classroom [Section 6.201] |
| School (High School) | 1 space per 2 students plus 1 space per 5 stadium seats [Section 6.201] |
| Community Garden | Required parking at 1 vehicle per 4 employees plus 1 vehicle per acre [Section 5.146(c)(3)] |
Design and Surface Requirements
The City of Fort Worth imposes strict design standards for all parking areas within the AR: One-family restricted district to preserve neighborhood character and safety:
Front Yard Restrictions
No parking is permitted within the front yard of an AR: One-family restricted district property except on a designated driveway. Driveway coverage is limited and shall not exceed 50% of the total front yard area [Section 6.202(f)(7)].
Surface Materials
All required parking spaces in the City of Fort Worth must be hard-surfaced and dust-free. If the property is adjacent to a street that is currently unpaved, the owner must hard-surface the drives and parking spaces within one year of the street being paved by the municipality [Section 6.202(e)(1)].
Maneuvering Space
Parking areas in the AR: One-family restricted district must be designed so that the public right-of-way is not used for maneuvering. All maneuvering to enter or exit a parking space must occur on-site [Section 6.202(d)(2)].
Sections Cited
- Section 4.706: One-Family Restricted (“AR”) District
- Section 5.146: Urban Agriculture and Community Gardens
- Section 6.201: Off-Street Parking Requirements
- Section 6.202: Parking Lot Design Standards
- Section 9.101: Defined Terms (Limited Local Street)