Arlington, TX Building Setbacks & Zoning: Setback Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Front setback rule
- Greater of sub-district or sidewalk-zone standard
- Side/rear projection limit
- Min. 5 feet from property line
- Minor Modification setback increase
- Up to 10%, capped at 5 feet
- Minor Modification setback decrease
- Up to 2 feet
- Curb-to-facade floor
- Must stay at least 15 feet
- Governing rewrite
- UDC Ord. 26-019, eff. June 1, 2025
Summary
Arlington sets front setbacks as the greater of the applicable sub-district standard or the minimum needed to meet sidewalk and Furnishing Zone requirements. Side and rear building projections must stay at least 5 feet off any non-street property line, and the Zoning Administrator can grant only narrow, capped adjustments through a Minor Modification.
5. Minimum front setback: The minimum front setback shall be the greater value of the following standards: a. The minimum front building setback as required in the Sub-district Standards; or b. The minimum building setback as required to meet the street and sidewalk standards in Section 13.1.8.C. and 13.1.8.D., including requirements for a Furnishing Zone and a Clear Sidewalk Zone. c. The minimum setback required for ground floor residential based on street type. ... 7. Encroachments a. All encroachments into the minimum setback areas along streets shall meet standards in Section 5.7.4.B Architectural Setback Encroachments. b. Building projections on all other facades must not be closer than 5 feet to any adjacent property line.
Full Breakdown
Under the Unified Development Code rewrite adopted by Ord. 2, RS-5, RM-12) into Form-Based Zoning sub-districts: Traditional Neighborhood (TN), Urban Neighborhood (UN), Corridor Mixed-Use (CMU) and Core. C-D (which require a Furnishing Zone plus a Clear Sidewalk Zone), or the minimum needed for ground-floor residential units based on street type. B. 24), the Zoning Administrator may increase a maximum front setback by up to 10% (capped at 5 feet) or shrink a minimum setback by up to 2 feet, provided the building facade still sits at least 15 feet from the street curb with a 6-foot sidewalk maintained. 6-4 and vary by frontage type (A, B, C).
Violations & Fines
Setback and encroachment compliance is checked by the Development Services Department at building permit review; construction inside the required setback or closer than 5 feet to a side/rear line without an approved Minor Modification triggers a stop-work order and can require the encroaching portion to be removed or relocated before a certificate of occupancy issues. Modifications beyond the Minor Modification caps require a formal variance or FBZD amendment process, not administrative approval.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Arlington's minimum front yard setback?
Can I build closer to my lot line than the required setback?
How close can a home addition come to my side or rear property line?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Arlington
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Arlington to another location·View the Texas building setbacks & zoning overview
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Setback Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Tarrant County handle setback rules.