Arlington County C-1-O Limited Commercial-Professional Office Building District Guide
The C-1-O Limited Commercial-Professional Office Building District in Arlington County is established to provide locations for low-intensity, nonretail commercial uses such as professional offices and financial institutions. All buildings in the Arlington County C-1-O district must be designed to maintain a residential appearance, with a maximum height limit of 35 feet and a maximum floor area ratio (FAR) ranging from 0.40 to 0.60 depending on the size of the site [§7.9.1, §7.9.3, §7.9.5].
Allowed and Conditional Uses in the C-1-O District
The Arlington County zoning ordinance classifies uses within the C-1-O district as permitted by-right (P), requiring a use permit (U), or requiring site plan approval (S). A blank cell in the official use table indicates that a specific use is prohibited within the C-1-O Limited Commercial-Professional Office Building District [§7.1.2].
Residential and Group Living Uses
- One-family detached dwellings: Permitted by-right [§7.1.2].
- Recovery residences: Permitted by-right for eight or fewer residents; requires a use permit for more than eight residents [§7.1.2, §12.3.9].
- Assisted living facilities: Requires site plan approval [§7.1.2, §12.3.12].
- Continuing care retirement communities: Requires site plan approval [§7.1.2, §12.3.12].
- Nursing homes: Requires site plan approval [§7.1.2, §12.3.12].
- Dormitories, Fraternity/Sorority houses, and Group homes: Requires use permit approval [§7.1.2].
Public, Civic, and Institutional Uses
- Churches, mosques, synagogues, and temples: Permitted by-right [§7.1.2].
- Offices, local government: Permitted by-right [§7.1.2].
- Minor Utilities: Permitted by-right [§7.1.2].
- Hospitals: Requires site plan approval [§7.1.2].
- Colleges and universities: Requires use permit approval [§7.1.2].
- Community centers, Libraries, and Museums: Requires use permit approval [§7.1.2].
- Day care (Child and Adult): Requires use permit approval [§7.1.2].
- Schools (Elementary, Middle, and High): Requires use permit approval [§7.1.2].
- Major Utilities: Requires use permit approval [§7.1.2].
Commercial and Retail Uses
- Professional, business, or medical offices/clinics: Generally requires use permit approval [§7.1.2].
- Bed and breakfasts: Requires use permit approval [§7.1.2, §12.5.3].
- Publicly-owned parking areas: Requires use permit approval [§7.1.2].
- Mortuaries and funeral homes: Requires both use permit and site plan approval [§7.1.2].
- Open-air markets: Requires use permit approval [§7.1.2, §12.5.17].
- Telecommunications facilities: Permitted by-right or by use permit depending on height and location [§7.1.2, §12.7.2].
Prohibited Uses in the C-1-O District
Arlington County strictly prohibits high-intensity retail and industrial activities in the C-1-O Limited Commercial-Professional Office Building District to preserve the low-intensity, residential-adjacent character of the area. Prohibited uses include, but are not limited to:
- Retail Sales: Bakeries, drug stores, florist shops, grocery stores, and general retail sales [§7.1.2].
- Food Establishments: Restaurants and artisan beverage production [§7.1.2].
- Entertainment: Movie theaters and membership clubs/lodges [§7.1.2].
- Automotive: Car washes, vehicle body shops, and vehicle service establishments [§7.1.2].
- Industrial: Light industrial service, manufacturing, production, and heavy industrial uses [§7.1.2].
- Storage: Self-service storage and warehouse/freight movement [§7.1.2].
C-1-O Density and Dimensional Standards
Development in the Arlington County C-1-O district must adhere to specific lot size and density requirements. "All Other Uses" refers to any non-residential use allowed in the district [§7.9.3].
| Type of Standard | One-family Dwellings | All Other Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Lot Area, minimum (sq. ft.) | 6,000 | 20,000 |
| Lot Width, average (feet) | 60 | 100 |
| Height, maximum (feet) | 35 | 35 |
| FAR (Site area up to 9,999 sq. ft.) | N/A | 0.40 |
| FAR (Site area 10,000 to 19,999 sq. ft.) | N/A | 0.50 |
| FAR (Site area 20,000 sq. ft. and above) | N/A | 0.60 |
Use Limitations and Residential Character
Arlington County mandates that all buildings erected in the C-1-O district present an exterior design that mimics a residential structure. The Zoning Administrator evaluates these designs based on their compatibility with the bulk and placement of existing residential buildings in the surrounding vicinity [§7.9.5]. Additionally, the site must include a minimum of 20 percent of the total site area as landscaped open space [§7.9.6].
Required Parking Standards for C-1-O
Parking requirements for the C-1-O district are calculated based on the specific use and floor area.
| Use Type | Minimum Parking Requirement |
|---|---|
| One-family dwellings | 1 space per dwelling unit [§14.3.7] |
| General Office buildings | 1 per 250 sq. ft. of floor area on the 1st floor; 1 per 300 sq. ft. for 2nd–5th floors [§14.3.7] |
| Medical or Dental Offices | 1 per 150 sq. ft. for the first 5,000 sq. ft. [§14.3.7] |
| Hospitals | 1 per 4 beds [§14.3.7] |
Sections Cited
- Section 7.1: Commercial/Mixed Use (C) Districts Use Tables
- Section 7.9: C-1-O, Limited Commercial Office Building District
- Section 12.3: Residential Use Categories
- Section 12.4: Public and Civic Use Standards
- Section 12.5: Commercial/Mixed Use Standards
- Section 12.7: Other Use Standards
- Section 14.3: Parking and Loading