The purposes of the RA-5 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; and
- 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-5 zone provides for areas developed with predominantly high-density residential.

Development Standards | ||||||||
Floor Area Ratio (max.)1 | Height (ft.)2, 3, 4 | Penthouse Height (ft.)/ Stories |
Lot Occupancy | Rear Yard (ft.) | Side Yard (ft.) | Green Area Ratio (min.) | Zoning Regulation Reference | |
RA-5 | 5.0 | 90 | 20 ft. | 75% | 12 ft.; or a distance equal to 3 in. per 1 ft. of principal building height | If provided,no less than 4 ft. | 0.30 | Subtitle F, Chapter 3 |
6.0 (apartment house or hotel) | 1 plus mezzanine / 2nd story permitted for mechanical space |
8 ft. for a detached or semi-detached dwelling |
Use Permissions | Courts | Parking | Inclusionary Zoning |
Subtitle U, Chapter 4 | Subtitle F § 202 | Subtitle C, Chapter 7 | Subtitle C, Chapter 10 |
1 See Subtitle F § 201 for general Density guidelines.
2 A place of worship may be erected to a height not exceeding 60 ft. and 3 stories, not including the penthouse.
3 An institutional building or structure may be erected to a height not exceeding 90 ft., not including the penthouse, provided that the building or structure shall be removed from all lot lines of its lot a distance of not less than 1 ft. for each 1 ft. of height in excess of that authorized in the district in which it is located.
4 Except as provided in Subtitle F §§ 203.2 and 203.3, a building or other structure may be erected to a height not exceeding 90 ft., provided that the building or structure shall be removed from all lot lines of its lot for a distance equal to the height of the building or structure above the natural grade.