Arlington County M-1 Light Industrial District Guide
The M-1 Light Industrial District in Arlington County is a zoning designation intended for light manufacturing, repair services, and commercial activities with a maximum building height of 75 feet. Development in this district is limited to a maximum floor area ratio (FAR) of 1.5 and serves as a hub for firms engaged in the servicing of industrial or business machinery with limited public customer traffic [Section 8.3.3, Section 12.2.6.A].
General Character of the M-1 District
While the specific purpose statement for the M-1 district is reserved in the ordinance, its character is defined by the industrial and commercial use categories permitted within its boundaries [Section 8.3.1]. In Arlington County, the Light Industrial Service category (a primary component of M-1) consists of firms engaged in the repair or servicing of industrial, business, or consumer machinery, equipment, or products. These uses typically provide centralized services for separate retail outlets rather than serving the general public directly on-site. Consequently, these locations generally experience low volumes of customer traffic [Section 12.2.6.A].
Density and Dimensional Standards
All development within the Arlington County M-1 district must comply with the following site standards:
| Type of Standard | M-1 District Requirement |
|---|---|
| Maximum Height (feet) | 75 feet |
| Maximum Floor Area Ratio (FAR) | 1.5 |
| Bulk, Coverage, and Placement | Per Section 3.2 |
[Section 8.3.3]
Permitted Land Uses
Arlington County classifies uses in the M-1 district into those allowed "by-right" (approved administratively) and those requiring a "special exception" (requiring use permit or site plan approval) [Section 8.1.2].
By-Right Uses (Permitted)
The following primary uses are allowed by-right in the M-1 Light Industrial District:
- Industrial/Service: Contractors’ offices and storage, carpet and rug cleaning, feed and fuel yards, small-scale printing and publishing, research and development laboratories, sign making, welding and machine shops, and woodworking [Section 8.1.2].
- Manufacturing and Production: Distribution plants, parcel delivery, ice/cold storage plants, foundries, and plumbing or sheet metal shops [Section 8.1.2].
- Office and Commercial: Professional and business offices, medical/dental clinics, financial services, hotels/motels, and federal/state/local government offices [Section 8.1.2].
- Retail and Personal Service: Drug stores, grocery stores, animal boarding/hospitals, artisan workshops, dry-cleaning plants, and self-storage facilities [Section 8.1.2].
- Public/Civic: Fire and police stations, churches, mosques, synagogues, and temples [Section 8.1.2].
Special Exception Uses
Certain activities in the M-1 district require a use permit (U) or site plan (S) approval:
- Vehicle Services: Vehicle service establishments and car washes [Section 8.1.2].
- Parking: Commercial parking areas containing more than 50 spaces or exceeding 20,000 square feet of lot area [Section 12.5.4].
- Telecommunications: Facilities exceeding 50 feet in height [Section 12.7.2].
- Waste Management: Recycling centers [Section 8.1.2].
Site Development Standards
Parking and Loading
Arlington County requires specific parking ratios for industrial and manufacturing uses within the M-1 district to ensure adequate off-street space.
| Use Type | Minimum Parking Requirement |
|---|---|
| Industrial, Warehouse, and Manufacturing | 1 space per 1,000 sq. ft. of floor area, OR 1 space per 2 employees (whichever is greater) |
| Office Buildings | 1 space per 250 sq. ft. of floor area on the 1st floor; 1 per 300 sq. ft. for floors 2-5 |
| Retail and Service Commercial | 1 space per 250 sq. ft. of floor area on the 1st floor; 1 per 300 sq. ft. elsewhere |
[Section 14.3.7]
Landscaping and Screening
M-1 district properties must provide a landscaped strip at least five feet wide where a parking area abuts a street, sidewalk, or alley. For parking areas with 20 or more spaces, a formal landscape plan must be submitted to the zoning administrator [Section 14.2.4, Section 14.3.4.A].
Sections Cited
- Section 1.7. Zoning Districts Established
- Section 8.1. Industrial (M) Districts Use Tables
- Section 8.3. M-1, Light Industrial District
- Section 12.2.6. Industrial Use Categories
- Section 12.5. Commercial/Mixed Use Standards
- Section 12.7. Other Use Standards
- Section 14.2. Landscaping
- Section 14.3. Parking and Loading