Arlington County C-O Mixed Use District: Permitted and Prohibited Uses
The Arlington County C-O Mixed Use District is designed to facilitate limited office, hotel, and multiple-family residential redevelopment, primarily in the vicinity of Metrorail stations. Within this district, many office and specific residential uses are permitted by-right, while higher-density developments, restaurants, and retail shops generally require site plan approval or special exception use permits to ensure compatibility with the surrounding urban environment [Section 7.13.1].
Principal Use Regulations in the C-O District
Uses in the Arlington County C-O Mixed Use District are classified into three primary categories based on their approval status: Permitted (P), which are allowed by-right; Use Permit Required (U), which requires a special exception use permit; and Site Plan Required (S), which allows for increased density and flexibility through a comprehensive site review. A blank cell in the official use table indicates that a specific use is not allowed [Section 7.1.2].
Residential and Group Living Uses
The C-O district permits low-intensity residential by-right, while urban residential formats require more intensive review.
| Use Type | Approval Status |
|---|---|
| One-family detached dwellings | Permitted (P) |
| Multiple-family dwellings | Site Plan (S) |
| Independent living facilities | Site Plan (S) |
| Recovery residence (8 or fewer residents) | Permitted (P) |
| Recovery residence (more than 8 residents) | Use Permit (U) |
| Assisted living facilities | Site Plan (S) |
| Continuing care retirement communities | Site Plan (S) |
| Group homes | Use Permit (U) |
| Dormitories | Use Permit (U) |
| Fraternity and sorority houses | Use Permit (U) |
Public, Civic, and Institutional Uses
Most institutional uses in the Arlington County C-O Mixed Use District require a Use Permit to manage community impact.
| Use Type | Approval Status |
|---|---|
| Churches, mosques, synagogues, and temples | Permitted (P) |
| Schools (Elementary, Middle, or High) | Use Permit (U) |
| Colleges and universities | Use Permit (U) |
| Community centers | Use Permit (U) |
| Libraries | Use Permit (U) |
| Museums and art galleries or studios | Use Permit (U) |
| Hospitals | Use Permit (U) |
| Parks, playgrounds, and playfields | Use Permit (U) |
| Child care centers | Use Permit (U) |
Commercial and Retail Uses
Office uses are the cornerstone of the C-O district and are generally permitted by-right to encourage economic development. Retail and food establishments typically require Site Plan approval.
| Use Type | Approval Status |
|---|---|
| Offices (Professional, Business, Medical, Dental, Government) | Permitted (P) |
| Financial services | Permitted (P) |
| Research and development, flex | Permitted (P) |
| Urban agriculture | Permitted (P) |
| Audio-visual production and broadcast studio | Permitted (P) |
| Artisan beverage (production and retail) | Permitted (P) |
| Artisan workshop | Permitted (P) |
| Restaurants | Site Plan (S) |
| Hotels or motels | Site Plan (S) |
| Retail Sales (Bakeries, Drug stores, Grocery stores, etc.) | Site Plan (S) |
| Newsstands | Site Plan (S) |
| Athletic or health clubs | Site Plan (S) |
| Movie or other theaters | Site Plan (S) |
Accessory and Temporary Uses
Arlington County allows specific accessory uses to support primary functions within the C-O Mixed Use District. These uses must be clearly incidental and subordinate to the principal use on the lot [Section 12.9.1].
- Permitted By-Right (P): Family day care homes, food delivery services, home occupations, accessory homestays, private swimming pools, and routine vehicle maintenance [Section 7.1.3].
- Use Permit Required (U): Live entertainment and/or dancing, crematoriums, and outdoor cafés located on public sidewalks or within public easements [Section 7.1.3].
Prohibited Uses
Under the Arlington County Zoning Ordinance, any use not explicitly listed as "P", "U", "S", or "C" in the district's use table is prohibited. Significant prohibited uses in the C-O Mixed Use District include:
- Large-Scale Commercial: Large-format retail establishments are not permitted [Section 7.1.2].
- Industrial Uses: Light industrial services (e.g., carpet cleaning plants, fuel yards), manufacturing and production (e.g., foundries, stone monument works), and heavy industrial uses are prohibited [Section 7.1.2].
- Storage and Logistics: Self-service storage facilities and general warehouse/freight movement operations are not allowed [Section 7.1.2].
- Specific Vehicle Services: Car washes and vehicle body shops are prohibited in the C-O district [Section 7.1.2].
Development Standards for the C-O District
Residential and commercial projects in the Arlington County C-O Mixed Use District must adhere to specific density, height, and parking requirements.
| Standard | By-Right Limit | Special Exception (Site Plan) |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Lot Area | 20,000 sq. ft. | 30,000 sq. ft. |
| Maximum Building Height | 35 feet | 153 to 180 feet (incl. penthouse) |
| Floor Area Ratio (FAR) | 0.40 to 0.60 | 3.8 (Comm/Hotel) to 4.8 (Resi) |
| Front Setback | 50 feet from street centerline | Per approved site plan |
| Parking (Office/Retail) | 1 space per 250 sq. ft. | 1 space per 530 sq. ft. |
| Parking (Multiple-family) | 1.125 spaces per unit | 1 space per unit |
[Sections 7.13.3, 7.13.5, 14.3.7]
Sections Cited
- Section 1.7.1: General Districts established.
- Section 7.1.2: Commercial/Mixed Use (C) Districts Principal Use Table.
- Section 7.1.3: Commercial/Mixed Use (C) Districts Accessory Use Table.
- Section 7.13: C-O, Mixed Use District.
- Section 12.3.9: Recovery Residences.
- Section 12.9.1: Accessory Use Standards, General.
- Section 14.3.7: Required Parking and Standing Space.