The purposes of the RA-1 zone are to:
- Permit flexibility of design by permitting all types of urban residential development if they conform to the height, density, and area requirements established for these districts; an
- Permit the construction of those institutional and semi-public buildings that would be compatible with adjoining residential uses and that are excluded from the more restrictive residential zones.
The RA-1 zone provides for areas predominantly developed with low- to moderate-density development, including detached dwellings, rowhouses, and low-rise apartments.

Residential Buildings | ||||||||
Floor Area Ratio (max.)1 | Height (ft.)2 | Stories | Lot Occupancy | Rear Yard (ft.)3 | Side Yard (ft.)4 | Green Area Ratio (min.) | Zoning Regulation Reference | |
RA-1 | 0.90 | 40 | 3 | 40% | 20 | One 8 ft. side setback shall be provided for all structures | 0.40 | Subtitle F, Chapter 3 |
8 for a detached or semi-detached dwelling |
Use Permissions | Courts | Parking | Inclusionary Zoning |
Subtitle U, Chapter 3 | Subtitle F § 204 | Subtitle C, Chapter 7 | Subtitle C, Chapter 10 |
1 See Subtitle F § 201 for general Density guidelines. In the RA-1 Zone, each row dwelling shall have at least 1,800 sq. ft. of gross land area exclusive of any land area in the project used as a bases for determining the floor area ratio of multiple dwelling unit buildings.
2 For additional height standards please see Subtitle F § 203.
3 In the case of a through or corner lot abutting 3 or more streets, the depth of the rear yard may be measured from the center line of the street abutting the lot at the rear of the structure.
4 When a new dwelling, flat or multiple dwelling is erected that does not share a common division wall with an existing building or a building being constructed together with the new building it shall have a side yard on each resulting free standing side. Side yards are not required along a side street abutting a corner lot.