Arlington County Corner Lot Fence and Visual Clearance Standards
In Arlington County, fences and walls on corner lots are generally limited to 4 feet in height within street setbacks, though they may reach 6 feet in the street setbacks of rear and side yards if placed at least 3 feet from the public right-of-way. To ensure traffic safety, Arlington County mandates unobstructed sight triangles at intersections, requiring a 25-foot clearance area in residential districts and a 10-foot clearance area in commercial and industrial districts. All fencing and landscaping must comply with these visual clearance heights, which typically restrict obstructions between 1 and 10 feet above the curb level [Section 3.2.6.A.3 and Section 3.2.6.A.4].
Fence and Wall Regulations for Corner Lots
Arlington County regulates the height and placement of fences and walls to balance property privacy with public safety and neighborhood character. On corner lots, specific allowances are made for side and rear yards that face a street.
Height and Placement Standards
The following table outlines the maximum permitted heights for fences and walls on corner lots within Arlington County:
| Location on Corner Lot | Maximum Height | Mandatory Conditions/Setbacks |
|---|---|---|
| Any required street setback (General) | 4 feet | Must comply with visual clearance [Section 3.2.6.A.4] |
| Rear or side yard street setbacks | 6 feet | Must be set back at least 3 feet from any public right-of-way |
| Required side or rear yards (Non-street) | 7 feet | Must be located to the rear of the required street side setback line |
| Public parks and open spaces | 8 feet | Permitted in any required street, rear, or side setback |
| Schools or playgrounds | No height limit | Must be an open mesh type fence |
Construction and Safety Requirements
Arlington County requires that any fence or wall placed on a corner lot adhere to the following additional standards:
- Visual Clearance: All fences, regardless of their allowed height, are strictly subject to the corner visual clearance requirements defined in the Arlington County Zoning Ordinance [Section 3.2.6.A.3(e)(4)].
- Safety Railings: Handrails and guardrails required by the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code for safety are excluded from the calculation of the maximum height of a wall [Section 3.2.6.A.3(e)(3)].
- Materials: In certain districts, such as the Commercial Townhouse (C-TH) district, specific material requirements may apply, favoring masonry or materials compatible with the primary structure [Section 7.18.6.C].
Visual Clearance (Sight-Triangle) Requirements
Arlington County maintains strict "sight triangles" at every street intersection to ensure motorists and pedestrians have an unobstructed view of approaching traffic. These requirements apply to all plantings, structures, fences, and walls.
Residential (R) and Residential Apartment (RA) Districts
In Arlington County Residential (R) and Residential Apartment (RA) districts, the sight triangle is formed by the two intersecting street right-of-way lines and a third line connecting them at points 25 feet from their intersection [Section 3.2.6.A.4(a)].
- Vertical Clearance: No obstruction is permitted between a height of 3 feet and 10 feet above the curb level within this triangle.
- Prohibited Items: This includes trees, shrubs, fences, retaining walls, and any other structures that would block a driver's line of sight.
Commercial (C), Industrial (M), and Public Service (P-S) Districts
For non-residential areas, including Commercial (C), Industrial (M), and Public Service (P-S) districts, Arlington County utilizes a smaller sight triangle to account for different urban patterns [Section 3.2.6.A.4(b)].
- Triangle Dimensions: The triangle is formed by the street right-of-way lines and a line connecting them at points 10 feet from the intersection.
- Vertical Clearance: No building or obstruction is permitted between a height of 1 foot and 10 feet above the curb level within this 10-foot triangle.
Summary of Visual Clearance Dimensions
| District Category | Triangle Leg Length | Unobstructed Vertical Range |
|---|---|---|
| Residential (R & RA) | 25 feet | 3' to 10' above curb level |
| Commercial (C) | 10 feet | 1' to 10' above curb level |
| Industrial (M) | 10 feet | 1' to 10' above curb level |
| Public Service (P-S) | 10 feet | 1' to 10' above curb level |
Sections Cited
- §3.2.6.A.3: Encroachments allowed into required yards and courts (Fences and Walls)
- §3.2.6.A.4: Visual clearance (corners)
- §7.18.6.C: Commercial Townhouse District (Surface parking/screening)
- §12.2.4.F: Parks and Open Space (Use categories)
- §14.2.2.D: Landscaping (Planting materials standards)