Arlington County C-2 District Setback and Placement Guide
In the C-2: Service Commercial-Community Business district of Arlington County, the standard front setback is 40 feet from the centerline of any street. While side and rear setbacks are generally not required for commercial structures, graduated setbacks are mandatory if the property abuts a residential (R or RA) district or if the building wall contains windows or openings. For specialized Unified Commercial/Mixed Use developments within Arlington County, specific setbacks of 20 to 25 feet apply when adjacent to residential zones.
General Setback Requirements
The C-2: Service Commercial-Community Business district is governed by placement regulations that prioritize street frontage and transitions to lower-density neighborhoods. In Arlington County, these requirements vary based on the type of yard and the proximity to residential zoning [Section 3.2.6].
Standard Dimensional Table
| Setback Type | Standard Requirement |
|---|---|
| Front (Street) Setback | 40 feet from the centerline of the street [Section 3.2.6.A.1(a)] |
| Side Setback | None required (except as noted below) [Section 3.2.6.A.2(a)] |
| Rear Setback | None required (except as noted below) [Section 3.2.6.A.2(a)] |
Side and Rear Setback Exceptions
In the C-2 district of Arlington County, the "no yard required" rule is overridden in two specific scenarios to ensure privacy and safety [Section 3.2.6.A.2(a)]:
- Abutting Residential Zones: If a C-2 lot line abuts any R (Residential) or RA (Residential Apartment) district.
- Building Openings: If the building wall contains windows or doors, regardless of whether they can be opened.
When these conditions are met, the following graduated setback scale must be used:
Graduated Setback Scale for C-2 Buildings
| Building Height | Minimum Required Setback |
|---|---|
| First 10 feet of height | 8 feet |
| Each additional 10 feet (or fraction) | + 2 additional feet |
Unified Commercial/Mixed Use Development Standards
Arlington County allows for Unified Commercial/Mixed Use developments in the C-2 district, which are subject to different placement and orientation rules intended to foster "build-to" lines and street-level vibrancy [Section 10.2.1].
- Build-to Lines: Buildings must typically be sited at the back of the sidewalk, with at least 75 percent of the façade abutting the back of the sidewalk along any street designated as an arterial [Section 10.2.3.B].
- Residential Buffers: If a C-2 unified development parcel abuts an R district, all buildings must maintain a minimum setback of 20 feet from the residential district [Section 10.2.3.B].
- Clarendon Revitalization District: For C-2 properties within the Clarendon Revitalization District located north of Wilson Boulevard and east of North Garfield Street, new buildings must maintain a 25-foot setback from abutting residential lots [Section 10.2.5.B.2].
Permitted Yard Encroachments
Arlington County allows certain architectural and functional features to extend into the required setbacks of the C-2 district [Section 3.2.6.A.3]:
- Architectural Features: Balconies, eaves, trim, fascia boards, and similar features may encroach up to four feet into required yards, provided they are no closer than five feet to any property line.
- Windows and Chimneys: Bay and oriel windows (without floor space) and chimneys may encroach up to 18 inches.
- Accessibility Features: Ramps and structures required for compliance with the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (VUSBC) may extend into any minimum required yard to the extent reasonably necessary.
- Fences and Walls: Fences and walls up to four feet in height are permitted in required street setbacks, while those up to seven feet are permitted in side or rear yards [Section 3.2.6.A.3(e)].
Sections Cited
- Section 3.2.6: Placement (Required Yards and Setbacks)
- Section 7.17: C-2, Service Commercial-Community Business District
- Section 10.2: Unified Commercial/Mixed Use Development
- Section 10.2.3: Unified Commercial/Mixed Use Development Not Within Specific Revitalization Districts
- Section 10.2.5: Unified Commercial/Mixed Use Development in Clarendon Revitalization District