Allowed and Prohibited Uses in the S-D Special Development District
In the S-D Special Development District in Arlington County, one-family dwellings and primary community services such as libraries and recreation centers are permitted by-right. Institutional and high-intensity public uses, including hospitals, schools, and continuing care retirement communities, typically require either use permit or site plan approval from the County Board. By-right development for residential use requires a minimum lot area of 6,000 square feet, while all other uses in the S-D Special Development District require a minimum site area of 43,560 square feet (one acre) [§4.3.3.A].
Allowed Principal Uses
The following uses are categorized by their approval requirement in the S-D Special Development District in Arlington County. A "Permitted" (P) use is allowed by-right; a "Use Permit" (U) requires special exception approval; and a "Site Plan" (S) indicates a special exception requiring more flexible development form and density review [§4.1.2].
Residential Uses
- One-Family Dwelling: Permitted by-right (P).
- Recovery Residence: Permitted by-right (P) or by use permit (U) depending on specific standards.
- Independent Living Facilities: Requires site plan approval (S).
- Assisted Living Facilities: Requires site plan approval (S).
- Continuing Care Retirement Communities: Requires site plan approval (S).
- Group Homes: Requires use permit approval (U).
- Nursing Homes: Requires site plan approval (S).
Public, Civic, and Institutional Uses
- Community Centers, Libraries, and Museums: Permitted by-right (P).
- Recreation Centers: Permitted by-right (P).
- Fire and Police Stations: Permitted by-right (P).
- Parks, Playgrounds, and Playfields: Permitted by-right (P).
- Arboretums, Forests, and Nature Preserves: Permitted by-right (P).
- Cemeteries and Country Clubs: Permitted by-right (P).
- Churches, Mosques, Synagogues, and Temples: Permitted by-right (P).
- Colleges and Universities: Requires use permit (U) or site plan approval (S).
- Hospitals: Requires use permit (U) or site plan approval (S).
- Schools (Elementary, Middle, or High): Requires use permit (U) or site plan approval (S).
- Child Care Centers and Day Care: Requires use permit approval (U).
- Social Service Institutions: Requires use permit approval (U).
- Passenger Terminals (Bus, Trolley, Air, Boat, Rail): Requires use permit approval (U).
Utilities and Industrial Uses
- Minor Utilities: Permitted by-right (P).
- Major Utilities: Requires use permit approval (U).
- Separation and Disposal Facilities (inc. Incinerators): Permitted by-right (P).
- Solid or Liquid Waste Transfer: Permitted by-right (P).
- Recycling Centers: Requires use permit approval (U).
- Telecommunications Facilities: Permitted by-right (P) or by use permit (U).
Commercial and Retail Uses
- Publicly-owned Parking Area: Requires use permit approval (U).
- Kiosks: Requires use permit approval (U).
- Open-Air Markets: Requires use permit approval (U).
Prohibited Uses
In Arlington County, any use not explicitly listed with a "P", "U", "S", or "C" in the Public Districts Principal Use Table is considered a prohibited use within the S-D Special Development District [§4.1.2.D]. Prohibited categories include, but are not limited to:
- Commercial Food Establishments: Restaurants and bakeries.
- General Retail: Clothing stores, pharmacies, and grocery stores.
- Personal Services: Barbershops, dry cleaners, and banks.
- Vehicle Sales and Service: Car dealerships, gas stations, and repair shops.
- Heavy Industrial: Manufacturing and production plants.
- Commercial Indoor/Outdoor Recreation: Movie theaters, bowling alleys, and miniature golf.
Density and Dimensional Standards
Development in the S-D Special Development District must adhere to specific area and height requirements based on the type of use and approval path.
By-Right Standards
| Type of Standard | One-Family Dwelling | All Other Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Lot Area | 6,000 sq. ft. | 43,560 sq. ft. |
| Minimum Average Lot Width | 60 ft. | — |
| Maximum Height (Stories/Feet) | 3 stories / 35 ft. | 3 stories / 45 ft. |
| Maximum Floor Area Ratio (FAR) | — | 1.0 |
| Maximum Lot Coverage | 56% | 56% |
Special Exception Standards
Hospitals and nursing facilities may be granted increased density and height through site plan approval [§4.3.3.B].
| Type of Standard | Nursing Homes & Related Housing | All Other Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Lot Area | 43,560 sq. ft. | 43,560 sq. ft. |
| Max Height (2-acre site) | 6 stories / 60 ft. | 6 stories / 60 ft. |
| Max Height (3-acre site) | 10 stories / 95 ft. | 10 stories / 95 ft. |
| Maximum Floor Area Ratio (FAR) | 1.5 | 1.0 |
| Maximum Lot Coverage | 75% | 75% |
Accessory and Transitional Uses
- Accessory Uses: Family day care homes and small cell telecommunications facilities are permitted as accessory uses in the S-D Special Development District [§4.1.4].
- Transitional Parking: Transitional parking areas may be allowed in the S-D Special Development District subject to a use permit and adherence to specific buffering and maintenance standards [§4.1.3, §12.8.5].
Sections Cited
- §4.1 Public (P) Districts Use Tables
- §4.1.2 Public (P) districts principal use table
- §4.1.3 Public (P) districts transitional uses table
- §4.1.4 Public (P) districts accessory uses table
- §4.3 S-D, Special Development District
- §4.3.3 Density and dimensional standards
- §12.8.5 Transitional parking areas