HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 23495-12-2018ORDINANCE NO. 23495-12-2018
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE COMPREHENSIVE ZONING
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF FORT WORTH, BEING ORDINANCE
NUMBER 21653, AS AMENDED, CODIFIED AS APPENDIX "A" OF THE
CODE OF THE CITY OF FORT WORTH (2015), BY AMENDING
PORTIONS OF SECTION 4.710, LOW DENSITY MULTIFAMILY "CR"
DISTRICT, SECTION 4.711 MEDIUM DENSITY MULTIFAMILY "C"
AND SECTION 4.712 HIGH DENSITY MULTIFAMILY "D" TO REVISE
ALLOWED HEIGHT AND UNITS PER ACRE AND TO STRENGTHEN
EXISTING DESIGN STANDARDS FOR MULTIFAMILY
DEVELOPMENT BY ADDING ENHANCED LANDSCAPING, FAhADE
VARIATION AND BUILDING MATERIALS; TO REPEAL AND
RESERVE SECTION 5.305 "FENCES" SUBSECTION B; AND TO
REPEAL AND RESERVE OF SECTION 6.506, "UNIFIED
RESIDENTIAL"; PROVIDING THAT THIS ORDINANCE SHALL BE
CUMULATIVE; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING
A PENALTY CLAUSE; PROVIDING A SAVINGS CLAUSE; PROVIDING
FOR PUBLICATION; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, as auto -oriented multifamily development continues to expand throughout
the City generating concerns about quality of design and the long term viability of such
developments;
WHEREAS, the Unified Residential Design standards have remained static for over 20
years and no longer meet the desires and expectations of the City's goal of quality growth for all
developments;
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to strengthen the City's existing multifamily design
standards to improve layout, function, and accessibility for the residents and the public; and
WHEREAS, the revised design standards will improve the quality of multifamily
development by including regulations for facades, building orientation to the public street, street
trees and enhanced landscaping to encourage pedestrian use, and connections to nearby public
uses;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS:
Ordinance No. 23495-12-2018
Page 1 of 42
SECTION 1.
Chapter 4, "District Regulations", Article 7, "Residential Districts", Section 4.710, "Low
Density Multifamily ("CR") District", of Ordinance No. 21653, the Zoning Ordinance of the City
of Fort Worth, is hereby amended to repeal the language in Sec. 4.710 and replace with language
to increase the top plate height and units per acre in subsection (c) "Property Development
Standards," and to strengthen existing design standards for multifamily development by adding
enhanced landscaping, fagade variation and building materials, and shall read as follows:
Sec. 4.710 LOW DENSITY MULTIFAMILY ("CR") DISTRICT.
(a) Purpose and intent. It is the purpose of the low density multifamily ("CR") district to
provide a specific zone for low density multifamily development. In adopting multifamily design
development regulations, it is also the intent of the City Council to encourage the most appropriate
uses of land; to encourage higher quality design and materials; to provide safe and improved access
to public walkways, to install street trees and enhanced landscaping along the public walkways to
improve the pedestrian environment; and to provide criteria for development of land zoned for
multifamily dwelling use.
(b) Uses. In the low density multifamily ("CR") district, no building or land shall be used and
no building shall be hereafter erected, reconstructed, altered or enlarged, nor shall a certificate of
occupancy be issued, except in accordance with the use tables in Chapter 4, Articles 6 and 8, and
the supplemental use standards of Chapter 5. No permit shall be issued for construction, alteration
or revision for multifamily development unless there has been a site plan approved by the planning
and development director or an authorized representative.
(c) Property development standards.
(1) All one -family and two-family residential development may be developed under the
property development standards of §§ 4.705 through 4.709 for one -family or two-family use. See
the selected district and also see § 6.507 Single -Family Residential Design Standards.
(2) a. All multifamily residential development (three or more dwelling units) shall meet the
property development standards of Multifamily Development as shown in the accompanying table.
Ordinance No. 23495-12-2018
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"CR" District, Multifamily Development
Open space
60% minimum
Units per acre
16 maximum
Front yard*
20 feet minimum
Rear yard
5 feet minimum
Side yard*
Interior lot
5 feet minimum
Corner lot**
20 feet minimum adjacent to side street
Three feet for every one foot (3:1) as measured from slab to top of
sill plate, or two feet for every one foot (2:1) in overall height when
measured from lowest finished grade to the peak of the roof,
Setback adjacent to one-
whichever is greater; 30 feet minimum
district* two-family residential
d* *
ara es
1:1 setback with a 10-foot minimum setback for one-story garages
and carports
20-foot minimum setback for dumpster enclosures and one-story
accessory structures
Height
36 feet maximum, slab to top plate (see § 6.100, Height)
Notes:
* May be subject to projected front yard, § 6.101(f) Yards. Paving shall not be permitted
between the building face and street and must remain as open space.
** May be subject to other front, side and rear yard setback requirements, § 6.101 Yards.
* * * A five-foot bufferyard and minimum six-foot screen fence shall be placed on the property
line and should be landscaped per point system, see § 6.300 (b), (d), (f), (g). This regulation
shall not be required when the property in the one- or two-family district is used for utilities,
waterways, railroads or other nonresidential public use or separated by a public right-of-way of
at least 300 feet in width.
b. Carports are not allowed between the front of the building face and street, see §§
6.101(a) and 6.300(b).
(3) For all nonresidential uses in the low density multifamily ("CR") district, the minimum
dimension of lots and yards and the height of buildings shall be as shown in the accompanying
table.
Ordinance No. 23495-12-2018
Page 3 of 42
"CR" District, Nonresidential Development
Lot width
50 feet minimum
Front yard*
20 feet minimum
Rear yard
5 feet minimum
Side yard*
Interior lot
5 feet minimum
Corner lot **
10 feet minimum adjacent to side street
Setback adjacent to
one- or two-family
residential district***
20 feet minimum
Height
35 feet maximum (see § 6.100 Height)
Notes:
* Maybe subject to projected front yard, § 6.101(f) Yards.
** May be subject to other front, side and rear yard setback requirements, § 6.101 Yards.
* * * A five-foot bufferyard and minimum six-foot screen fence shall be placed on the property
line and should be landscaped per point system, see § 6.300 (b), (d), (f), (g). This regulation
shall not be required when the property in the one- or two-family district is used for utilities,
waterways, railroads or other nonresidential public use or separated by a public right-of-way of
at least 300 feet in width.
(d) Other development standards. Development in the low density multifamily ("CR") district
may be subject to a variety of general development standards, including, but not limited to the
following.
(1) Signs.
a. For non -multifamily development on -premises signs are subject to the following:
i. An unilluminated nameplate bearing the family name of the occupants residing
in the residence not to exceed one square foot in area; and
ii. An unilluminated sign for those uses permitted that are not residential. The sign
shall not exceed 30 square feet in area, shall be no higher than six feet above
grade and shall be placed a minimum of ten feet behind the property line. Such
sign shall not be placed within 20 feet of drives providing ingress and egress to
the property.
b. Identification signs for multifamily development shall be permitted, subject to the
following provisions:
i. Signs shall be permitted to identify the use or uses of the property upon which
displayed.
Ordinance No. 23495-12-2018
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ii. A sign or combination of signs shall have a maximum allowable area of
exposure on each dedicated street frontage of not more than one square foot of
sign area for each ten linear feet of frontage along said street; provided,
however, at least one sign shall be allowed having an area of 12 square feet.
iii. Signs may be illuminated, but the source of light shall not be visible and shall
not be intermittent or flashing; revolving signs shall not be permitted.
iv. Not more than 50% of the total allowable sign area may be located in the
required yard space along a dedicated street. However, no individual sign in
such required yard space shall exceed 20 square feet in sign area.
v. Symbols which are designed as an integral part of the building structure and
symbols and signs which are not visible or readable from the public street shall
not be limited by the above regulations.
vi. Nothing contained herein shall exempt the owner of any multifamily building
from placing identification signs on buildings as required by the City of Fort
Worth fire code.
(2) Parking.
a. One- and two-family residential development shall meet the parking requirements
for the selected district.
b. For nonresidential parking requirements see Chapter 6, Development Standards,
Article 2, Off -Street Parking and Loading, § 6.200.
c. Multifamily development parking requirements shall be as follows:
i. No parking or driveways shall be provided between a building and a public
or private street. Frontage on a controlled access highway shall not be
considered a street for purposes of this section. Parking shall be provided
per Sect. 6.201.
Use
Requirement
1 space per bedroom plus 1 space per 250 square feet of common
Multifamily
areas, offices and recreation (less laundry rooms and storage); 2
Residential
spaces may be tandem if assigned to the same unit and restricted from
use for storage.
Multifamily
Two spaces per dwelling unit, located within a garage of the
Residential:
individual unit, having access to and from that unit, and not accessible
Townhouse
or usable by other residential units. Plus 1 space per 250 square feet
configuration
of common areas, offices and recreation (less laundry rooms and
storage).
ii. On -street parking along the lot frontage may be applied toward the
minimum parking requirements only when located fully out of the travel
lanes as defined in the Master Thoroughfare Plan when there is parking on
Ordinance No. 23495-12-2018
Page 5 of 42
both sides of the street. On -street parking that is applied toward minimum
parking requirements shall be counted towards the maximum parking
limitations.
(3) Accessory uses in Multifamily Design developments. In addition to other uses which
qualify as accessory uses, the following shall be considered as accessory uses to
Multifamily Design development:
a. Recreation areas and spaces within buildings primarily for use of the dwelling
occupants;
b. Kindergarten and day care center primarily for the use of the dwelling occupants;
c. Mechanical and storage buildings necessary for operation and maintenance of the
Multifamily Design development;
d. Manager's office; and
e. Garages, carports.
(4) Fences and gates.
a. One- and Two -Family residential development. Open design fences up to five
feet high in front yard and projected front yard for one -family and two-family
residential dwellings per regulations in § 5.305(b)(2)
b. Multifamily development. Fences shall not be located in the area between
building facades and the property line. Frontage on a controlled access highway
shall not be considered a street for purposes of this section. Perimeter security
fencing is prohibited however security fencing is permitted on interior property
lines. Solid screening fences are required when adjacent to a one or two family
district unless adjacent to a public park or controlled access highway when a solid
screening fence is not permitted and an open design fence shall be installed, if a
fence is installed.
Wrought Iron
Fence with Gates
Front Setback
No Fencing, Parking, or Driveways
On -Street
Parking
Street Frontage
Ordinance No. 23495-12-2018
Page 6 of 42
c. Exterior security fences and gates that are located along public streets, along a
public access easement, or along publicly accessible open space shall not extend
beyond building facades.
d. All fences and railings shall be architecturally compatible with the character of
the building and be constructed of high quality materials including: wrought iron,
composite fencing, treated wood, aluminum, or metal. Chain link, barbed wire,
and concertina wire material is prohibited.
e. All walls shall be architecturally compatible with the character of the building
and constructed of high quality materials including stone, decorative blocks,
brick, cast stone, or stucco over standard concrete masonry blocks.
f. For private residential patios and yards, a fence, railing, or low wall may extend
beyond the building facade if the following requirements are met.
i. Fences, railings, and walls shall not exceed four feet (48") in total height
as measured from the ground to the top of the fence, railing and/or the
wall; however
ii. For elevated residential stoops the total fence railing and/or wall height
shall not exceed five feet (60") total.
(5) Fafade and building orientation standards for multifamily development. The following
design standards apply:
a. Building Orientation. Buildings located on public streets must face the street with the
longest length of the building placed parallel/adjacent to the street. Where site
constraints require, the building end (shortest length of the building) may face a public
street only when the same exterior quality to the building facade is provided including
architecture, masonry and fenestration proportion on the side of other buildings facing
the public street.
Ordinance No. 23495-12-2018
Page 7 of 42
A
Street Frontage
Street Frontage
b. Facade design standards.
Parking
hB
Parking
I,
C
1. Required drawings. To illustrate compliance with the following standards, elevation
drawings shall be submitted as part of the multifamily design site plan review to the
planning and development department for those building facades that are oriented
to:
a. Public streets.
b. Private streets and walkways that are publicly accessible through a public
use easement; or
c. Publicly accessible open space.
2. Facade variation.
a. Each new building facade oriented to a publicly accessible street or open
space shall incorporate each of the following scaling elements. For building
facades less than 50 feet in width, a minimum of two elements are required.
The following items and calculations shall be provided as part of the
multifamily design submittal for review:
1. Expression of building structural elements such as:
i. Floors (banding, belt courses, etc. not less than one inch deep and four
inches wide).
ii. Columns (pilasters, piers, quoins, etc. not less than one inch deep and
six inches wide).
iii. Foundation (water tables, rustication).
2. At least two variation in wall plane not less than three feet in depth or
projection and not less than two stories in height for multi -story buildings.
Ordinance No. 23495-12-2018
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Such elements could include patterns of door and widow openings by utilizing
sills, mullions, and other scale providing window elements, and/or more
pronounced architectural features such as porches, alcoves, and roof dormers;
3. Changes in material, material pattern, or noticeable change in color or
shade. Each change of material shall involve a minimum one inch variation
in wall plane or noticeable change in color.
b. New building facades oriented to a publicly accessible street or open spaces
shall include differentiation between the first and second level and the upper
levels with a cornice, canopy, balcony, arcade, or other architectural features.
c. If a project consists of more than one block face, each sequential block of
new construction shall contain a different building facade to encourage
architectural variety within large projects, using the required architectural
elements listed in and/or other architectural features.
Mullion
Cornice
Banding
Fenestra
Wall Pial
Variatior
Belt Cou
Awning/
as distinction
between first and
second level.
Ordinance No. 23495-12-2018
Page 9 of 42
Banding
Pattern of
recessed
balconies and
wall/window
projections
Material change
Balcony as
distinction
between first and
second level_
Distinction between
popper floors with
balconies and
change in material
and color
Distinction between
the first a second
level with windows
Distinction between
the first a second
level and upper
levels with balconies
and material change
r"
3. Building materials. Not less than 70% of all new building facades (not including
door and window areas) facing publicly accessible streets or open space shall be
constructed of the following masonry materials:
i. Stone.
ii. Brick.
Ordinance No. 23495-12-2018
Page 10 of 42
iii. Terra cotta.
iv. Patterned pre -cast concrete.
v. Cement plaster stucco.
vi. Cement board siding.
vii. Cast stone or prefabricated brick panels.
(6) Landscaping.
a. Enhanced landscaping point
required along all public right
minimum set of points that are
landscaping and design features.
system requirement. Enhanced landscaping is
s -of -way, see Section (h)(4), and shall earn a
awarded for providing and maintaining specific
The points are accumulated as follows:
ENHANCED LANDSCAPING SYSTEM
20 points required
10 of the required points shall come from the installation of street trees as described below:
Public Feature
Requirement
Points
Awarded
Trees shall be planted within a planting strip or flush with the
sidewalk surface; location and type as approved by the City
Forester if within the right of way. If trees cannot be installed
within the right of way, trees shall be installed in a location
where the tree canopy affects the public sidewalk.
Required Spacing as specified below or as approved by the
City Forestry
Street Trees
Small/Medium Canopy = 25-30 ft. on center
10
Large Canopy = 35-40 ft. on center
*Where necessary spacing exceptions may be made to
accommodate mature trees, curb cuts, fire hydrants and other
infrastructure elements.
Street trees may be counted toward the planting requirements
for the Urban Forestry required tree canopy coverage.
* 1 light post for every 60-70 ft. (based on size of street tree)
Pedestrian- Scaled
of street frontage.
Lighting
Style to be approved by the Transportation and Public Works
10
Department (TPW) and consistent with other pedestrian
lights on the same block.
Paved Walkway
1 pt. for every additional foot of sidewalk width over the
1- 11
Enhancement
city standard (up to 15 ft. wide total).
Ordinance No. 23495-12-2018
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Private Feature
Requirement
Points
Awarded
Pool/Playground
5 percent (%) of net land area with minimum area not less
5 for each
than 1,000 sf.
Private Park/dog
Must provide recreational facilities/amenities. May include
park
open drainage area/easement/pond as long as amenities are
5
provided
Community
1 pt. for every 250 sf. with minimum area not less than 1,250
5-10
Garden
sf.
Proximity to
Within 1000 ft. as measured from property line to property
5
Public Park
line
Xeriscaping, rain gardens, bio-swales, landscaped bio
retention area.
Sustainable
See Chapter 6, Table A for a recommended list of native
Landscaping
plants for landscape use in North Central Texas
5
Landscaped bio -retention areas are encouraged for natural
drainage channels to reduce runoff and increase infiltration of
water into the soil.
*If no pedestrian lights or street trees exist on the project's block face, measure from the end of
the block to determine spacing. For trees, begin 40 feet from the curb intersection to
accommodate public open space easement requirement. If trees or lights exist, measure from
existing trees or lights.
i. Points shall be awarded only one for each feature category, per project.
ii. Submittal of site plan. The location and description of decorative paving,
sidewalk furniture or other decorative elements, if any, shall be indicated on
the site plan.
iii. All landscaped areas shall:
1. Be located outside the perimeter of the footprint of a building or structure;
2. Protected by wheel stops, curbs or other physical barriers where adjacent to
vehicle use areas; and
3. Be covered with grass, organic mulch or low maintenance groundcover.
iv. In addition to required trees, all of the open space and unpaved areas must be
covered with grass, organic mulch, live groundcover, or decorative paving.
b. Landscaping in parking and driveway areas.
i. Parking lots and driveways that are located adjacent and parallel to a public street
shall be screened from the public right- of -way with landscaping, berms, fences,
Ordinance No. 23495-12-2018
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or walls up to four (4') feet in height. Landscaping installed to comply with this
section shall be shown on the site plan.
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ii. Landscape islands, linear landing strips, bio-swales, or rain gardens shall be
required in parking lots with 12 or more spaces. All parking areas shall provide
tree canopy coverage per the Urban Forestry Ordinance, Sec. 6.302.
c. Submission of applicable urban forestry plans for review shall follow § 6.302(g), Urban
Forestry Plan/Permits.
(7) General site plan requirements.
a. Location of buildings. All buildings and structures shall be shown on the site plan with
dimensions of the buildings and adequate dimensions showing distance from property
lines, easements, driveways, parking spaces and other buildings.
b. Driveways and parking spaces. The location of all driveways and parking spaces shall
be shown on the site plan, including ingress -egress, and all calculations for required
parking.
c. Emergency access. Emergency access as required in accordance with the Fire Code
and addresses approved by the Fire Department shall be shown on the multifamily
design site plan.
d. Landscape and walkways. Show enhanced landscaping point chart, landscape
materials, required and proposed height of perimeter walls, bufferyards and
recreational facilities. Walkways shall be provided to connect to all buildings, parking
areas and recreational facilities and shall be shown on the site plan. Walkways shall
connect to public streets where street frontage exceeds 500 feet and to adjacent public
property, commercial areas, and trails.
e. Garbage collection. Garbage collection locations shall be shown on the site plan. Such
locations shall not be placed within 20 feet of adjacent one- or two-family districts.
Dumpsters shall be visually screened, except from the access side, and shall not be
Ordinance No. 23495-12-2018
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placed within the required open space. Access shall face internally and not face upon
adjacent properties or the public street.
f. Open space and recreational facilities. All open space and recreational facilities shall
be identified on the site plan. Open space is the ratio of open space to net land area
(see Chapter 9, Definitions).
g. Open space shall be clustered in areas upon the site to provide views and vistas for a
given group of buildings. Open spaces and recreational amenities shall be designed as
functional space with appropriate distribution on the total site plan. Any recreational
facilities shall be used primarily by the residents and their guests. No alcohol, beer or
wine shall be sold on the premises unless permitted in a district zoned for that use.
i. Except for required front yards, no space or area less than 25 feet in either
dimension shall be counted as open space.
ii. Patios adjacent to dwelling units, unless enclosed, may be included as part of
the open space.
h. Miscellaneous requirements.
i. The developer shall submit a site plan that shows the zoning of all adjacent
properties.
ii. The submitted site plan shall include a location map, north point, scale and date.
iii. The face of the site plan shall include a table showing net land area, floor area,
open space area, number of parking spaces, maximum units per acre and
maximum height.
iv. The developer shall prepare and submit a checklist to accompany the submitted
site plan which shall constitute an application and include a listing of those basic
requirements found in the zoning ordinance, the subdivision ordinance and the
plan commission rules and regulations.
(8) Site plan expiration. A multifamily development site plan submitted to the planning and
development department shall expire one year from the date of site plan submittal if not approved.
If approved, the site plan shall expire two years from the date of approval unless a certificate of
occupancy is issued for a multifamily use building in accordance with the approved site plan.
(9) Certificate of occupancy requirements.
a. No certificate of occupancy shall be issued for a multifamily development until a final
landscape plan has been approved by the planning and development director or a
designated representative and all landscaping required by the plans has been installed.
b. During the construction phase where development regulations contained herein have
not been met, construction permits may be issued, and construction may proceed, but
no certificate of occupancy shall be issued until all regulations have been complied
with. The city shall refuse any final connection of utilities prior to issuance of a
certificate of occupancy.
SECTION 2.
Ordinance No. 23495-12-2018
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Chapter 4, "District Regulations", Article 7, "Residential Districts", Section 4.711,
"Medium Density Multifamily ("C") District", of Ordinance No. 21653, the Zoning Ordinance of
the City of Fort Worth, is hereby amended to repeal the language in Sec. 4.711 and replace with
language to increase the top plate height and units per acre in subsection (c) "Property
Development Standards," and to strengthen existing design standards for multifamily development
by adding enhanced landscaping, fagade variation and building materials, and shall read as follows:
Sec. 4.711 MEDIUM DENSITY MULTIFAMILY ("C") DISTRICT.
(a) Purpose and intent. It is the purpose of the low density multifamily ("C") district to provide
a specific zone for low density multifamily development. In adopting multifamily design
development regulations, it is also the intent of the City Council to encourage the most appropriate
uses of land; to encourage higher quality design and materials; to provide safe and improved access
to the public walkways; to install street trees and enhanced landscaping along public walkways to
improve the pedestrian environment; and to provide criteria for development of land zoned for
multifamily dwelling use.
(b) Uses. In the medium density multifamily ("C") district, no building or land shall be used
and no building shall be hereafter erected, reconstructed, altered or enlarged, nor shall a certificate
of occupancy be issued, except in accordance with the use tables in Chapter 4, Articles 6 and 8
and the supplemental use standards of Chapter 5. No permit shall be issued for construction,
alteration or revision for multifamily development unless there has been a site plan approved by
the planning and development director or an authorized representative.
(c) Property development standards.
(1) All one -family and two-family residential development may be developed under the
property development standards of §§ 4.705 through 4.709 for one -family or two-family use. See
the selected district and also see § 6.507 Single -Family Residential Design Standards.
(2) a. All multifamily residential development (three or more dwelling units) shall meet
the property development standards of § 6.506, Multifamily Design Development and the
minimum dimension of lots and yards shall be as shown in the accompanying table.
"C" District, Multifamily Development
Open space
45% minimum
Units per acre
24 maximum
Front yard*
20 feet minimum
Rear yard
5 feet minimum
Side yard*
Interior lot
5 feet minimum
Ordinance No. 23495-12-2018
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Corner lot**
20 feet minimum adjacent to side street
50 feet minimum
Three feet for every one foot (3:1) as measured from slab to top
20 feet minimum
of sill plate, or two feet for every one foot (2:1) in overall height
5 feet minimum
when measured from lowest finished grade to the peak of the
Setback adjacent to one- or
roof, whichever is greater; 30 feet minimum
two-family residential
1:1 setback with a 10 -foot minimum setback for one-story
10 feet minimum adjacent to side street
garages and carports
20 feet minimum
20 -foot minimum setback for dumpster enclosures and one-
35 feet maximum (see § 6.100, Height)
story accessory structures
Height
36 feet maximum, slab to top plate (see § 6.100, Height)
Notes:
* May be subject to projected front yard (§ 6.101(f)). Paving shall not be permitted between the
building face and street and must remain as open space.
** May be subject to other front, side and rear yard setback requirements (see Chapter 6,
Development Standards, § 6.101(d), Yards.
* * * A five-foot bufferyard and minimum six-foot screen fence shall be placed on the property
line and should be landscaped per point system, see § 6.300 (b), (d), (f), (g). This regulation
shall not be required when the property in the one- or two-family district is used for utilities,
waterways, railroads or other nonresidential public use or separated by a public right-of-way of
at least 300 feet in width.
b. Carports not allowed between the front of the building face and street, see §§
6.101(a) and 6.300(b).
"C" District, Nonresidential Development
Lot width
50 feet minimum
Front yard*
20 feet minimum
Rear yard
5 feet minimum
Side yard*
Interior lot
5 feet minimum
Corner lot **
10 feet minimum adjacent to side street
Setback adjacent to
one- or two-family
residential district***
20 feet minimum
Height
35 feet maximum (see § 6.100, Height)
Ordinance No. 23495-12-2018
Page 16 of 42
Notes:
* May be subject to projected front yard, § 6.101(f) Yards. Paving shall not be permitted
between the minimum yard setback line and street and must remain as open space.
** May be subject to other front, side and rear yard setback requirements, § 6.101 Yards.
* * * A five-foot bufferyard and minimum six-foot screen fence shall be placed on the property
line and should be landscaped per point system, see § 6.300 (b), (d), (f), (g). This regulation
shall not be required when the property in the one- or two-family district is used for utilities,
waterways, railroads or other nonresidential public use or separated by a public right-of-way of
at least 300 feet in width.
(d) Other development standards. Development in the low density multifamily ("CR") district
may be subject to a variety of general development standards, including, but not limited to the
following.
(1) Signs.
a. For non -multifamily development on -premises signs are subject to the following:
i. An unilluminated nameplate bearing the family name of the occupants residing
in the residence not to exceed one square foot in area; and
ii. An unilluminated sign for those uses permitted that are not residential. The sign
shall not exceed 30 square feet in area, shall be no higher than six feet above
grade and shall be placed a minimum of ten feet behind the property line. Such
sign shall not be placed within 20 feet of drives providing ingress and egress to
the property.
b. Identification signs for multifamily development shall be permitted, subject to the
following provisions:
i. Signs shall be permitted to identify the use or uses of the property upon which
displayed.
ii. A sign or combination of signs shall have a maximum allowable area of
exposure on each dedicated street frontage of not more than one square foot of
sign area for each ten linear feet of frontage along said street; provided,
however, at least one sign shall be allowed having an area of 12 square feet.
iii. Signs may be illuminated, but the source of light shall not be visible and shall
not be intermittent or flashing; revolving signs shall not be permitted.
iv. Not more than 50% of the total allowable sign area may be located in the
required yard space along a dedicated street. However, no individual sign in
such required yard space shall exceed 20 square feet in sign area.
v. Symbols which are designed as an integral part of the building structure and
symbols and signs which are not visible or readable from the public street shall
not be limited by the above regulations.
vi. Nothing contained herein shall exempt the owner of any multifamily building
from placing identification signs on buildings as required by the City of Fort
Worth fire code.
Ordinance No. 23495-12-2018
Page 17 of 42
(2) Parking.
a. One- and two-family residential development shall meet the parking requirements
for the selected district.
b. For nonresidential parking requirements see Chapter 6, Development Standards,
Article 2, Off -Street Parking and Loading, § 6.200.
c. Multifamily development parking requirements shall be as follows:
i. No parking or driveways shall be provided between a building and a public
or private street. Parking shall be provided per Sect. 6.201. Frontage on a
controlled access highway shall not be considered a street for purposes of
this section.
Use
Requirement
1 space per bedroom plus 1 space per 250 square feet of common
Multifamily
areas, offices and recreation (less laundry rooms and storage); 2
Residential
spaces may be tandem if assigned to the same unit and restricted from
use for storage.
Multifamily
Two spaces per dwelling unit, located within a garage of the
Residential:
individual unit, having access to and from that unit, and not
Townhouse
accessible or usable by other residential units. Plus 1 space per 250
configuration
square feet of common areas, offices and recreation (less laundry
rooms and storage).
ii. On -street parking along the lot frontage may be applied toward the
minimum parking requirements only when located fully out of the travel
lanes as defined in the Master Thoroughfare Plan when there is parking on
both sides of the street. On -street parking that is applied toward minimum
parking requirements shall be counted towards the maximum parking
limitations.
(3) Accessory uses in Multifamily Design developments. In addition to other uses which
qualify as accessory uses, the following shall be considered as accessory uses to Multifamily
Design development:
a. Recreation areas and spaces within buildings primarily for use of the dwelling
occupants;
b. Kindergarten and day care center primarily for the use of the dwelling occupants;
c. Mechanical and storage buildings necessary for operation and maintenance of the
Multifamily Design development;
d. Manager's office; and
e. Garages, carports.
(4) Fences and gates.
Ordinance No. 23495-12-2018
Page 18 of 42
a.
R
One- and Two -Family residential development. Open Design fences up to five
feet high in front yard and projected front yard for one -family and two-family
residential dwellings per regulations in § 5.305(b)(2)
Multifamily development. Fences shall not be located in the area between
building facades and the property line. Frontage on a controlled access highway
shall not be considered a street for purposes of this section. Perimeter security
fencing is prohibited however security fencing is permitted on interior property
lines. Solid screening fences are required when adjacent to a one or two family
district unless adjacent to a public park or controlled access highway when a solid
screening fence is not permitted and an open design fence shall be installed, if a
fence is installed.
Wrought Iron
Fence with Gates
Front Setback
No Fencing, Parking, or Driveways
On -Street
Parking
Street Frontage
c. Exterior security fences and gates that are located along public streets, along a
public access easement, or along publicly accessible open space shall not extend
beyond building facades.
d. All fences and railings shall be architecturally compatible with the character of
the building and be constructed of high quality materials including: wrought iron,
composite fencing, treated wood, aluminum, or metal. Chain link, barbed wire,
and concertina wire material is prohibited.
e. All walls shall be architecturally compatible with the character of the building
and constructed of high quality materials including stone, decorative blocks,
brick, cast stone, or stucco over standard concrete masonry blocks.
f. For private residential patios and yards, a fence, railing, or low wall may extend
beyond the building facade if the following requirements are met.
L Fences, railings, and walls shall not exceed four feet (48") in total height
as measured from the ground to the top of the fence, railing and/or the
wall; however
ii. For elevated residential stoops the total fence railing and/or wall height
shall not exceed five feet (60") total.
Ordinance No. 23495-12-2018
Page 19 of 42
(5) FaVade and building orientation standards for multifamily development The following
design standards apply:
a. Building Orientation. Buildings located on public streets must face the street with the
longest length of the building placed parallel/adjacent to the street. Where site
constraints require, the building end (shortest length of the building) may face a public
street only when the same exterior quality to the building facade is provided including
architecture, masonry and fenestration proportion on the side of other buildings facing
the public street.
Street Frontage
Parking
J
Parking
Street Frontage
b. Facade design standards.
Parking
Parking
Ordinance No. 23495-12-2018
Page 20 of 42
1. Required drawings. To illustrate compliance with the following standards, elevation
drawings shall be submitted as part of the multifamily design site plan review to the
planning and development department for those building facades that are oriented
to:
a. Public streets.
b. Private streets and walkways that are publicly accessible through a public
use easement; or
c. Publicly accessible open space.
2. Facade variation.
a. Each new building facade oriented to a publicly accessible street or open
space shall incorporate each of the following scaling elements. For building
facades less than 50 feet in width, a minimum of two elements are required.
The following items and calculations shall be provided as part of the
multifamily design submittal for review:
1. Expression of building structural elements such as:
i. Floors (banding, belt courses, etc. not less than one inch deep and four
inches wide).
ii. Columns (pilasters, piers, quoins, etc. not less than one inch deep and
six inches wide).
iii. Foundation (water tables, rustication).
2. At least two variation in wall plane not less than three feet in depth or
projection and not less than two stories in height for multi -story buildings.
Such elements could include patterns of door and widow openings by utilizing
sills, mullions, and other scale providing window elements, and/or more
pronounced architectural features such as porches, alcoves, and roof dormers;
3. Changes in material, material pattern, or noticeable change in color or
shade. Each change of material shall involve a minimum one inch variation
in wall plane or noticeable change in color.
Ordinance No. 23495-12-2018
Page 21 of 42
b. New building facades oriented to a publicly accessible street or open spaces
shall include differentiation between the first and second level and the upper
levels with a cornice, canopy, balcony, arcade, or other architectural features.
c. If a project consists of more than one block face, each sequential block of
new construction shall contain a different building facade to encourage
architectural variety within large projects, using the required architectural
elements listed in and/or other architectural features.
Mullion
Cornice
Sanding
Fenestration
Wall Plane
Variation
Belt Course
Awning/canopy
as distinction
between first and
second level.
Banding
Pattern of
recessed
balconies and
wall/window
projections
Material change
Balcony as
distinction
between first and
second level_
Ordinance No. 23495-12-2018
Page 22 of 42
Distinction between
upper floors with
balconies and
change in material
and color _...._.......
Distinction between
the first a second
level uwithwindows
Distinction between _
the first a second
level and Upper
levels with balcon ies
and material change
3. Building materials. Not less than 70% of all new building facades (not including
door and window areas) facing publicly accessible streets or open space shall be
constructed of the following masonry materials:
i. Stone.
ii. Brick.
iii. Terra cotta.
iv. Patterned pre -cast concrete.
v. Cement plaster stucco.
vi. Cement board siding.
vii. Cast stone or prefabricated brick panels.
(6) Landscaping.
a. Enhanced landscaping point system requirement. Enhanced landscaping is
required along all public rights-of-way, see Section (h)(4), and shall earn a
minimum set of points that are awarded for providing and maintaining specific
landscaping and design features. The points are accumulated as follows:
Ordinance No. 23495-12-2018
Page 23 of 42
ENHANCED LANDSCAPING SYSTEM
20 points required
10 of the required points shall come from the installation of street trees as described below:
Public Feature
Requirement
Points
Awarded
Trees shall be planted within a planting strip or flush with the
sidewalk surface; location and type as approved by the City
Forester if within the right of way. If trees cannot be installed
within the right of way, trees shall be installed in a location
where the tree canopy affects the public sidewalk.
Required Spacing as specified below or as approved by the
City Forestry
Street Trees
Small/Medium Canopy = 25-30 ft. on center
10
Large Canopy = 35-40 ft. on center
*Where necessary spacing exceptions may be made to
accommodate mature trees, curb cuts, fire hydrants and other
infrastructure elements.
Street trees may be counted toward the planting requirements
for the Urban Forestry required tree canopy coverage.
* 1 light post for every 60-70 ft. (based on size of street tree)
Pedestrian- Scaled
of street frontage.
Lighting
Style to be approved by the Transportation and Public Works
10
Department (TPW) and consistent with other pedestrian
lights on the same block.
Paved Walkway
1 pt. for every additional foot of sidewalk width over the
1- 11
Enhancement
city standard (up to 15 ft. wide total).
Private Feature
Requirement
Points
Awarded
Pool/Playground
5 percent (%) of net land area with minimum area not less
5 for each
than 1,000 s£
Private Park/dog
Must provide recreational facilities/amenities. May include
park
open drainage area/easement/pond as long as amenities are
5
provided
Community
1 pt. for every 250 sf. with minimum area not less than 1,250
5-10
Garden
sf.
Proximity to
Within 1000 ft. as measured from property line to property
5
Public Park
line
Ordinance No. 23495-12-2018
Page 24 of 42
i. Points shall be awarded only one for each feature category, per project.
ii. Submittal of site plan. The location and description of decorative paving,
sidewalk furniture or other decorative elements, if any, shall be indicated on
the site plan.
iii. All landscaped areas shall:
1. Be located outside the perimeter of the footprint of a building or structure;
2. Protected by wheel stops, curbs or other physical barriers where adjacent to
vehicle use areas; and
3. Be covered with grass, organic mulch or low maintenance groundcover.
iv. In addition to required trees, all of the open space and unpaved areas must be
covered with grass, organic mulch, live groundcover, or decorative paving.
b. Landscaping in parking and driveway areas.
i. Parking lots and driveways that are located adjacent and parallel to a public street
shall be screened from the public right- of -way with landscaping, berms, fences,
or walls up to four (4') feet in height. Landscaping installed to comply with this
section shall be shown on the site plan.
Ordinance No. 23495-12-2018
Page 25 of 42
Xeriscaping, rain gardens, bio-swales, landscaped bio
retention area.
Sustainable
See Chapter 6, Table A for a recommended list of native
Landscaping
plants for landscape use in North Central Texas
5
Landscaped bio -retention areas are encouraged for natural
drainage channels to reduce runoff and increase infiltration of
water into the soil.
*If no pedestrian lights or street trees exist on the project's blockface, measure from the end of
the block to determine spacing. For trees, begin 40 feet from the curb intersection to
accommodate public open space easement requirement. If trees or lights exist, measure from
existing trees or lights.
i. Points shall be awarded only one for each feature category, per project.
ii. Submittal of site plan. The location and description of decorative paving,
sidewalk furniture or other decorative elements, if any, shall be indicated on
the site plan.
iii. All landscaped areas shall:
1. Be located outside the perimeter of the footprint of a building or structure;
2. Protected by wheel stops, curbs or other physical barriers where adjacent to
vehicle use areas; and
3. Be covered with grass, organic mulch or low maintenance groundcover.
iv. In addition to required trees, all of the open space and unpaved areas must be
covered with grass, organic mulch, live groundcover, or decorative paving.
b. Landscaping in parking and driveway areas.
i. Parking lots and driveways that are located adjacent and parallel to a public street
shall be screened from the public right- of -way with landscaping, berms, fences,
or walls up to four (4') feet in height. Landscaping installed to comply with this
section shall be shown on the site plan.
Ordinance No. 23495-12-2018
Page 25 of 42
Padwg 8Df weer yng.Pwsr aecbw
ii. Landscape islands, linear landing strips, bio-swales, or rain gardens shall be
required in parking lots with 12 or more spaces. All parking areas shall provide
tree canopy coverage per the Urban Forestry Ordinance, Sec. 6.302.
c. Submission of applicable urban forestry plans for review shall follow § 6.302(g), Urban
Forestry Plan/Permits.
(7) General site plan requirements.
a. Location of buildings. All buildings and structures shall be shown on the site plan with
dimensions of the buildings and adequate dimensions showing distance from property
lines, easements, driveways, parking spaces and other buildings.
b. Driveways and parking spaces. The location of all driveways and parking spaces shall
be shown on the site plan, including ingress -egress, and all calculations for required
parking.
c. Emergency access. Emergency access as required in accordance with the Fire Code
and addresses approved by the Fire Department shall be shown on the multifamily
design site plan.
d. Landscape and walkways. Show enhanced landscaping point chart, landscape
materials, required and proposed height of perimeter walls, bufferyards and
recreational facilities. Walkways shall be provided to connect to all buildings, parking
areas and recreational facilities and shall be shown on the site plan. Walkways shall
connect to public streets where street frontage exceeds 500 feet and to adjacent public
property, commercial areas, and trails.
e. Garbage collection. Garbage collection locations shall be shown on the site plan. Such
locations shall not be placed within 20 feet of adjacent one- or two-family districts.
Dumpsters shall be visually screened, except from the access side, and shall not be
placed within the required open space. Access shall face internally and not face upon
adjacent properties or the public street.
Ordinance No. 23495-12-2018
Page 26 of 42
f. Open space and recreational facilities. All open space and recreational facilities shall
be identified on the site plan. Open space is the ratio of open space to net land area
(see Chapter 9, Definitions).
g. Open space shall be clustered in areas upon the site to provide views and vistas for a
given group of buildings. Open spaces and recreational amenities shall be designed as
functional space with appropriate distribution on the total site plan. Any recreational
facilities shall be used primarily by the residents and their guests. No alcohol, beer or
wine shall be sold on the premises unless permitted in a district zoned for that use.
i. Except for required front yards, no space or area less than 25 feet in either
dimension shall be counted as open space.
ii. Patios adjacent to dwelling units, unless enclosed, may be included as part of
the open space.
h. Miscellaneous requirements.
i. The developer shall submit a site plan which shows the zoning of all adjacent
properties.
ii. The submitted site plan shall include a location map, north point, scale and date.
iii. The face of the site plan shall include a table showing net land area, floor area,
open space area, number of parking spaces, maximum units per acre and
maximum height.
iv. The developer shall prepare and submit a checklist to accompany the submitted
site plan which shall constitute an application and include a listing of those basic
requirements found in the zoning ordinance, the subdivision ordinance and the
plan commission rules and regulations.
(8) Site plan expiration. A multifamily development site plan submitted to the planning and
development department shall expire one year from the date of site plan submittal if not approved.
If approved, the site plan shall expire two years from the date of approval unless a certificate of
occupancy is issued for a multifamily use building in accordance with the approved site plan.
(9) Certificate of occupancy requirements.
a. No certificate of occupancy shall be issued for a multifamily development until a final
landscape plan has been approved by the planning and development director or a
designated representative and all landscaping required by the plans has been installed.
b. During the construction phase where development regulations contained herein have
not been met, construction permits may be issued, and construction may proceed, but
no certificate of occupancy shall be issued until all regulations have been complied
with. The city shall refuse any final connection of utilities prior to issuance of a
certificate of occupancy.
Ordinance No. 23495-12-2018
Page 27 of 42
SECTION 3.
Chapter 4, "District Regulations", Article 7, "Residential Districts", Section 4.712, "High
Density Multifamily ("D") District", of Ordinance No. 21653, the Zoning Ordinance of the City
of Fort Worth, is hereby amended to repeal the language in Sec. 4.712 and replace with language
to increase the top plate height and units per acre in subsection (c) "Property Development
Standards," and to strengthen existing design standards for multifamily development by adding
enhanced landscaping, fagade variation and building materials, and shall read as follows:
Sec. 4.710 HIGH DENSITY MULTIFAMILY ("D") DISTRICT.
(a) Purpose and intent. It is the purpose of the high density multifamily ("D") district to provide
a specific zone for high density multifamily development. In adopting multifamily design
development regulations, it is also the intent of the City Council to encourage the most appropriate
uses of land; to encourage higher quality design and materials; to provide safe and improved access
to the public walkways, to install street trees an enhanced landscaping long the public walkways
to improve the pedestrian environment; and to provide criteria for development of land zoned for
multifamily dwelling use.
(b) Uses. In the high density multifamily ("D") district, no building or land shall be used and
no building shall be hereafter erected, reconstructed, altered or enlarged, nor shall a certificate of
occupancy be issued, except in accordance with the use tables in Chapter 4, Articles 6 and 8 and
the supplemental use standards of Chapter 5. No permit shall be issued for construction, alteration
or revision in a Multifamily Design development area unless there has been a site plan approved
by the planning and development director or an authorized representative and a subdivision plat
approved by the plan commission.
(c) Property development standards.
(1) All one -family and two-family residential development may be developed under the
property development standards of §§ 4.705 through 4.709 for one -family or two-family use. See
the selected district and also see § 6.507 Single -Family Residential Design Standards.
(2) a. All multifamily residential development (three or more dwelling units) shall meet the
property development standards of Multifamily Development and the minimum dimension of lots
and yards shall be as shown in the accompanying table.
"D" District, Multifamily Design Development
Open space
35% minimum
Units per acre
32 maximum
Front yard*
20 feet minimum
Rear yard
5 feet minimum
Ordinance No. 23495-12-2018
Page 28 of 42
Side yard*
Lot width
Interior lot
5 feet minimum
Corner lot**
10 feet minimum adjacent to side street
5 feet minimum
Three feet for every one foot (3:1) as measured from slab to top
of sill plate, or two feet for every one foot (2:1) in overall height
Setback adjacent one- or
when measured from lowest finished grade to the peak of the
roof, whichever is greater;_30 feet minimum
two-family residential
district***
1:1 setback with a 10 -foot minimum setback for one-story
garages and carports
20 -foot minimum setback for dumpster enclosures and one-story
accessory structures
36 feet maximum, slab to top plate
Height
48 feet maximum, slab to top plate, beyond 250 -foot setback to
one- and two-family districts
(see § 6.100, Height)
Notes:
* May be subject to projected front yard (§ 6.101(f)). Paving shall not be permitted between the
building face and street and must remain as open space.
** May be subject to other front, side and rear yard setback requirements, § 6.101 Yards.
* * * A five-foot bufferyard and minimum six-foot screen fence shall be placed on the property
line and should be landscaped per point system, see § 6.300 (b), (d), (f), (g). This regulation
shall not be required when the property in the one- or two-family district is used for utilities,
waterways, railroads or other nonresidential public use or separated by a public right-of-way of
at least 300 feet in width.
b. Carports are not allowed between the front of the -building face and street, see §§
6.101(a) and 6.300(b).
(3) For all nonresidential uses in the high density multifamily ("D") district, the minimum
dimension of lots and yards and the height of buildings shall be as shown in the accompanying
table.
"D" District, Nonresidential Development
Lot width
50 feet minimum
Front yard*
20 feet minimum
Rear yard
5 feet minimum
Ordinance No. 23495-12-2018
Page 29 of 42
Side yard*
Interior lot
5 feet minimum
Corner lot**
10 feet minimum adjacent to side street
Setback adjacent to
one- or two-family
20 feet minimum
residential district***
Height
35 feet maximum (see § 6.100, Height)
Notes:
* Maybe subject to projected front yard (§ 6.101(f)). Paving shall not be permitted between
the minimum yard setback line and street and must remain as open space.
** May be subject to other front, side and rear yard setback requirements, § 6.101 Yards.
* * * A five-foot bufferyard and minimum six-foot screen fence shall be placed on the property
line and should be landscaped per point system, see § 6.300 (b), (d), (f), (g). This regulation
shall not be required when the property in the one- or two-family district is used for utilities,
waterways, railroads or other nonresidential public use or separated by a public right-of-way of
at least 300 feet in width.
(d) Other development standards. Development in the high density multifamily ("D") district
may be subject to a variety of general development standards, including, but not limited to the
following.
(1) Signs.
a. For non -multifamily development on -premises signs are subject to the
following:
i. An unilluminated nameplate bearing the family name of the occupants residing
in the residence not to exceed one square foot in area; and
ii. An unilluminated sign for those uses permitted that are not residential. The sign
shall not exceed 30 square feet in area, shall be no higher than six feet above
grade and shall be placed a minimum of ten feet behind the property line. Such
sign shall not be placed within 20 feet of drives providing ingress and egress to
the property.
b. Identification signs for multifamily development shall be permitted, subject to the
following provisions:
i. Signs shall be permitted to identify the use or uses of the property upon which
displayed.
ii. A sign or combination of signs shall have a maximum allowable area of
exposure on each dedicated street frontage of not more than one square foot of
sign area for each ten linear feet of frontage along said street; provided,
however, at least one sign shall be allowed having an area of 12 square feet.
Ordinance No. 23495-12-2018
Page 30 of 42
iii. Signs may be illuminated, but the source of light shall not be visible and shall
not be intermittent or flashing; revolving signs shall not be permitted.
iv. Not more than 50% of the total allowable sign area may be located in the
required yard space along a dedicated street. However, no individual sign in
such required yard space shall exceed 20 square feet in sign area.
v. Symbols which are designed as an integral part of the building structure and
symbols and signs which are not visible or readable from the public street shall
not be limited by the above regulations.
vi. Nothing contained herein shall exempt the owner of any multifamily building
from placing identification signs on buildings as required by the City of Fort
Worth fire code.
(2) Parking.
a. One- and two-family residential development shall meet the parking requirements
for the selected district.
b. For nonresidential parking requirements see Chapter 6, Development Standards,
Article 2, Off -Street Parking and Loading, § 6.200.
c. Multifamily development parking requirements shall be as follows:
i. No parking or driveways shall be provided between a building and a public
or private street. Parking shall be provided per Sect. 6.201. Frontage on a
controlled access highway shall not be considered a street for purposes of
this section.
Use
Requirement
1 space per bedroom plus 1 space per 250 square feet of common
Multifamily
areas, offices and recreation (less laundry rooms and storage); 2
Residential
spaces may be tandem if assigned to the same unit and restricted from
use for storage.
Multifamily
Two spaces per dwelling unit, located within a garage of the
Residential:
individual unit, having access to and from that unit, and not
Townhouse
accessible or usable by other residential units. Plus 1 space per 250
configuration
square feet of common areas, offices and recreation (less laundry
rooms and storage).
ii. On -street parking along the lot frontage may be applied toward the
minimum parking requirements only when located fully out of the travel
lanes as defined in the Master Thoroughfare Plan when there is parking on
both sides of the street. On -street parking that is applied toward minimum
parking requirements shall be counted towards the maximum parking
limitations.
Ordinance No. 23495-12-2018
Page 31 of 42
(3) Accessory uses in Multifamily Design developments. In addition to other uses which
qualify as accessory uses, the following shall be considered as accessory uses to Multifamily
Design development:
a. Recreation areas and spaces within buildings primarily for use of the dwelling
occupants;
b. Kindergarten and day care center primarily for the use of the dwelling occupants;
c. Mechanical and storage buildings necessary for operation and maintenance of the
Multifamily Design development;
d. Manager's office; and
e. Garages, carports.
(4) Fences and gates.
a. One- and Two -Family residential development. Open Design fences up to five
feet high in front yard and projected front yard for one -family and two-family
residential dwellings per regulations in § 5.305(b)(2)
b. Multifamily development. Fences shall not be located in the area between
building facades and the property line. Frontage on a controlled access highway
shall not be considered a street for purposes of this section. Perimeter security
fencing is prohibited however security fencing is permitted on interior property
lines. Solid screening fences are required when adjacent to a one or two family
district unless adjacent to a public park or controlled access highway when a solid
screening fence is not permitted and an open design fence shall be installed, if a
fence is installed.
Multifamily Wrought Iron
Building Fence with Gates
Front Setback
No Fencing, Parking. or Driveways
jOn -Street
Parking
Street Frontage
c. Exterior security fences and gates that are located along public streets, along a
public access easement, or along publicly accessible open space shall not extend
beyond building facades.
d. All fences and railings shall be architecturally compatible with the character of
the building and be constructed of high quality materials including: wrought iron,
Ordinance No. 23495-12-2018
Page 32 of 42
composite fencing, treated wood, aluminum, or metal. Chain link, barbed wire,
and concertina wire material is prohibited.
e. All walls shall be architecturally compatible with the character of the building
and constructed of high quality materials including stone, decorative blocks,
brick, cast stone, or stucco over standard concrete masonry blocks.
f. For private residential patios and yards, a fence, railing, or low wall may extend
beyond the building facade if the following requirements are met.
i. Fences, railings, and walls shall not exceed four feet (48") in total height
as measured from the ground to the top of the fence, railing and/or the
wall; however
ii. For elevated residential stoops the total fence railing and/or wall height
shall not exceed five feet (60") total.
(5) Facade and building orientation standards for multifamily development. The following
design standards apply:
a. Building Orientation. Buildings located on public streets must face the street with the
longest length of the building placed parallel/adjacent to the street. Where site
constraints require, the building end (shortest length of the building) may face a public
street only when the same exterior quality to the building facade is provided including
architecture, masonry and fenestration proportion on the side of other buildings facing
the public street.
Ordinance No. 23495-12-2018
Page 33 of 42
N
Street Frontage
ftl�"
Parking Parking
Parking
b. Facade design standards.
Parking
Street Frontage
VA
0
Li
1. Required drawings. To illustrate compliance with the following standards, elevation
drawings shall be submitted as part of the multifamily design site plan review to the
planning and development department for those building facades that are oriented
to:
a. Public streets.
b. Private streets and walkways that are publicly accessible through a public
use easement; or
c. Publicly accessible open space.
2. Facade variation.
a. Each new building facade oriented to a publicly accessible street or open
space shall incorporate each of the following scaling elements. For building
facades less than 50 feet in width, a minimum of two elements are required.
The following items and calculations shall be provided as part of the
multifamily design submittal for review:
1. Expression of building structural elements such as:
i. Floors (banding, belt courses, etc. not less than one inch deep and four
inches wide).
ii. Columns (pilasters, piers, quoins, etc. not less than one inch deep and
six inches wide).
iii. Foundation (water tables, rustication).
2. At least two variation in wall plane not less than three feet in depth or
projection and not less than two stories in height for multi -story buildings.
Ordinance No. 23495-12-2018
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Such elements could include patterns of door and widow openings by utilizing
sills, mullions, and other scale providing window elements, and/or more
pronounced architectural features such as porches, alcoves, and roof dormers;
3. Changes in material, material pattern, or noticeable change in color or
shade. Each change of material shall involve a minimum one inch variation
in wall plane or noticeable change in color.
b. New building facades oriented to a publicly accessible street or open spaces
shall include differentiation between the first and second level and the upper
levels with a cornice, canopy, balcony, arcade, or other architectural features.
c. If a project consists of more than one block face, each sequential block of
new construction shall contain a different building facade to encourage
architectural variety within large projects, using the required architectural
elements listed in and/or other architectural features.
Mullion
Cornice
Banding — —
Fenestration
Wall Plane
Variation
Belt Course _.__..
Awning/canopy
as distinction
between first and
second level.
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Sanding
Pattern of
recessed
balconies and
wall/window
projections
Material change
Balcony as
distinction
between first and
second level.
Distinction between
upper floors with
balconies and
change in material
and color -----_---
Distinction between
the first a second
level withwindows
0
Distinction between _
the first a second
level and upper
levels withbalconies
and material change
3. Building materials. Not less than 70% of all new building facades (not including
door and window areas) facing publicly accessible streets or open space shall be
constructed of the following masonry materials:
L Stone.
ii. Brick.
Ordinance No. 23495-12-2018
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iii. Terra cotta.
iv. Patterned pre -cast concrete.
v. Cement plaster stucco.
vi. Cement board siding.
vii. Cast stone or prefabricated brick panels.
(6) Landscaping.
a. Enhanced landscaping point system requirement. Enhanced landscaping is
required along all public rights-of-way, see Section (h)(4), and shall earn a
minimum set of points that are awarded for providing and maintaining specific
landscaping and design features. The points are accumulated as follows:
ENHANCED LANDSCAPING SYSTEM
20 points required
10 of the required points shall come from the installation of street trees as described below:
Public Feature
Requirement
Points
Awarded
Trees shall be planted within a planting strip or flush with the
sidewalk surface; location and type as approved by the City
Forester if within the right of way. If trees cannot be installed
within the right of way, trees shall be installed in a location
where the tree canopy affects the public sidewalk.
Required Spacing as specified below or as approved by the
City Forestry
Street Trees
Small/Medium Canopy = 25-30 ft. on center
10
Large Canopy = 35-40 ft. on center
*Where necessary spacing exceptions may be made to
accommodate mature trees, curb cuts, fire hydrants and other
infrastructure elements.
Street trees may be counted toward the planting requirements
for the Urban Forestry required tree canopy coverage.
* 1 light post for every 60-70 ft. (based on size of street tree) of
Pedestrian- Scaled
street frontage.
Lighting
Style to be approved by the Transportation and Public Works
10
Department (TP W) and consistent with other pedestrian lights
on the same block.
Paved Walkway
1 pt. for every additional foot of sidewalk width over the city
1- 11
Enhancement
standard (up to 15 ft. wide total).
Ordinance No. 23495-12-2018
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Private Feature
Requirement
Points
Awarded
Pool/Playground
5 percent (%) of net land area with minimum area not less than
5 for each
1,000 sf.
Private Park/dog
Must provide recreational facilities/amenities. May include
park
open drainage area/easement/pond as long as amenities are
5
provided
Community
1 pt. for every 250 sf. with minimum area not less than 1,250
5-10
Garden
sf.
Proximity to
Public Park
Within 1000 ft. as measured from property line to property line
5
Xeriscaping, rain gardens, bio-swales, landscaped bio retention
area.
Sustainable
See Chapter 6, Table A for a recommended list of native plants
Landscaping
for landscape use in North Central Texas
5
Landscaped bio -retention areas are encouraged for natural
drainage channels to reduce runoff and increase infiltration of
water into the soil.
*If no pedestrian lights or street trees exist on the project's block face, measure from the end of the
block to determine spacing. For trees, begin 40 feet from the curb intersection to accommodate
public open space easement requirement. If trees or lights exist, measure from existing trees or
lights.
i. Points shall be awarded only one for each feature category, per project.
ii. Submittal of site plan. The location and description of decorative paving,
sidewalk furniture or other decorative elements, if any, shall be indicated on
the site plan.
iii. All landscaped areas shall:
1. Be located outside the perimeter of the footprint of a building or structure;
2. Protected by wheel stops, curbs or other physical barriers where adjacent to
vehicle use areas; and
3. Be covered with grass, organic mulch or low maintenance groundcover.
iv. In addition to required trees, all of the open space and unpaved areas must be
covered with grass, organic mulch, live groundcover, or decorative paving.
b. Landscaping in parking and driveway areas.
i. Parking lots and driveways that are located adjacent and parallel to a public street
shall be screened from the public right- of -way with landscaping, berms, fences, or
Ordinance No. 23495-12-2018
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walls up to four (4') feet in height. Landscaping installed to comply with this
section shall be shown on the site plan.
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ii. Landscape islands, linear landing strips, bio-swales, or rain gardens shall be
required in parking lots with 12 or more spaces. All parking areas shall provide tree
canopy coverage per the Urban Forestry Ordinance, Sec. 6.302.
Submission of applicable urban forestry plans for review shall follow § 6.302(g), Urban
Forestry Plan/Permits.
(7) General site plan requirements.
a. Location of buildings. All buildings and structures shall be shown on the site plan with
dimensions of the buildings and adequate dimensions showing distance from property
lines, easements, driveways, parking spaces and other buildings.
b. Driveways and parking spaces. The location of all driveways and parking spaces shall
be shown on the site plan, including ingress -egress, and all calculations for required
parking.
c. Emergency access. Emergency access as required in accordance with the Fire Code
and addresses approved by the Fire Department shall be shown on the multifamily
design site plan.
d. Landscape and walkways. Show enhanced landscaping point chart, landscape
materials, required and proposed height of perimeter walls, bufferyards and
recreational facilities. Walkways shall be provided to connect to all buildings, parking
areas and recreational facilities and shall be shown on the site plan. Walkways shall
connect to public streets where street frontage exceeds 500 feet and to adjacent public
property, commercial areas, and trails.
e. Garbage collection. Garbage collection locations shall be shown on the site plan. Such
locations shall not be placed within 20 feet of adjacent one- or two-family districts.
Dumpsters shall be visually screened, except from the access side, and shall not be
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placed within the required open space. Access shall face internally and not face upon
adjacent properties or the public street.
f. Open space and recreational facilities. All open space and recreational facilities shall
be identified on the site plan. Open space is the ratio of open space to net land area
(see Chapter 9, Definitions).
g. Open space shall be clustered in areas upon the site to provide views and vistas for a
given group of buildings. Open spaces and recreational amenities shall be designed as
functional space with appropriate distribution on the total site plan. Any recreational
facilities shall be used primarily by the residents and their guests. No alcohol, beer or
wine shall be sold on the premises unless permitted in a district zoned for that use.
i. Except for required front yards, no space or area less than 25 feet in either
dimension shall be counted as open space.
ii. Patios adjacent to dwelling units, unless enclosed, may be included as part of the
open space.
h. Miscellaneous requirements.
i. The developer shall submit a site plan which shows the zoning of all adjacent
properties.
ii. The submitted site plan shall include a location map, north point, scale and date.
iii. The face of the site plan shall include a table showing net land area, floor area,
open space area, number of parking spaces, maximum units per acre and
maximum height.
iv. The developer shall prepare and submit a checklist to accompany the submitted
site plan which shall constitute an application and include a listing of those basic
requirements found in the zoning ordinance, the subdivision ordinance and the
plan commission rules and regulations.
(8) Site plan expiration. A multifamily development site plan submitted to the planning and
development department shall expire one year from the date of site plan submittal if not approved.
If approved, the site plan shall expire two years from the date of approval unless a certificate of
occupancy is issued for a multifamily use building in accordance with the approved site plan.
(9) Certificate of occupancy requirements.
a. No certificate of occupancy shall be issued for a multifamily development until a final
landscape plan has been approved by the planning and development director or a
designated representative and all landscaping required by the plans has been installed.
b. During the construction phase where development regulations contained herein have
not been met, construction permits may be issued, and construction may proceed, but
no certificate of occupancy shall be issued until all regulations have been complied
with. The city shall refuse any final connection of utilities prior to issuance of a
certificate of occupancy.
SECTION 4.
Chapter 6, Article 5, "Residential Design Standards", Section 6.506, "Unified Residential
Development" of Ordinance No. 21653, the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Fort Worth, is
amended to repeal all of the language contained Section 6.506 and reserve the section number.
Ordinance No. 23495-12-2018
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SECTION 5.
Chapter 5, Article 5, "Accessory Uses", Section 5.305, "Fences" of Ordinance No. 21653,
the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Fort Worth, is amended to repeal all of the language contained
subsection (b)(3) of Section 5.305 and reserve subsection (b) to be used in the future.
SECTION 6.
This ordinance shall be cumulative of all provisions of ordinances and of the Code of the
City of Fort Worth, Texas (2015), as amended, except where the provisions of this ordinance are
in direct conflict with the provisions of such ordinances and such Code, in which event conflicting
provisions of such ordinances and such Code are hereby repealed.
SECTION 7.
It is hereby declared to be the intention of the City Council that the sections, paragraphs,
sentences, clauses, and phrases of this ordinance are severable, and, if any phrase, clause, sentence,
paragraph, or section of this ordinance shall be declared unconstitutional by the valid judgment or
decree of any court of competent jurisdiction, such unconstitutionality shall not affect any of the
remaining phrases, clauses, sentences, paragraphs and sections of this ordinance, since the same
would have been enacted by the City Council without the incorporation in this ordinance of any
such unconstitutional phrase, clause, sentence, paragraph or section.
SECTION 8.
Any person, firm, or corporation, who violates, disobeys, omits, neglects or refuses to
comply with or who resists the enforcement of any of the provisions of this ordinance shall be
fined not more than Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00) for each offense. Each day that a violation
exists shall constitute a separate offense.
SECTION 9.
All rights and remedies of the City of Fort Worth, Texas, are expressly saved as to any and
all violations of the provisions of Ordinances Nos. 3011, 13896, 21653 and any other ordinances
affecting zoning which have accrued at the time of the effective date of this ordinance, and, as to
such accrued violations and all pending litigation, both civil and criminal, whether pending in court
or not, under such ordinances, same shall not be affected by this ordinance but may be prosecuted
until final disposition by the courts.
SECTION 10.
The City Secretary of the City of Fort Worth, Texas, is hereby directed to publish the
Ordinance No. 23495-12-2018
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caption, penalty clause, and effective date of this ordinance for two (2) days in the official
newspaper of the City of Fort Worth, Texas, as authorized by Section 52.013, Texas Local
Government Code.
SECTION 11.
All other provisions of the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Fort Worth not herein amended
shall remain in full force and effect.
SECTION 12.
This ordinance shall take effect upon adoption and publication as required by law.
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY:
By: \'MUIMCL
Melinda Ramos
Sr. Assistant City Attorney
ADOPTED: December 4, 2018
EFFECTIVE: L. Llc
Mary J. Kays6f,
City Secretary
Ordinance No. 23495-12-2018
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