Arlington County R2-7 Two-family and Townhouse Dwelling District Regulations
In Arlington County, the R2-7 district is established to support a mix of one-family detached dwellings, duplexes, and townhouse developments. While primary residential uses are permitted by-right, the district maintains a strict height limit of 35 feet and requires specific minimum lot areas ranging from 3,500 to 5,000 square feet depending on the dwelling type [§1.7.1, §5.9.3].
Permitted Principal Uses (By-Right)
The following uses are permitted by-right in the Arlington County R2-7 district, provided they comply with the standard density and dimensional requirements of the Arlington County Zoning Ordinance [§5.1.2]:
- Residential: One-family detached dwellings, duplexes, and semidetached dwellings. Townhouses are also permitted by-right under standard configurations.
- Institutional: Churches, mosques, synagogues, and temples.
- Infrastructure: Minor utilities (excluding bus shelters or bike share stations).
- Other: Agricultural uses; small cell or micro-wireless facilities.
- Transitional: Offices or clinics (medical or dental) when located within an existing one-family detached dwelling, provided the residential character is maintained [§12.8.3].
Special Exception Uses
Special exception uses in the R2-7 district require either Use Permit approval ("U") from the County Board or Site Plan approval ("S"). These processes allow Arlington County to review the impact of the proposed use on the surrounding neighborhood [§5.1.2]:
Uses Requiring Use Permit Approval (U)
- Group Living: Dormitories, fraternity and sorority houses, and group homes.
- Community Services: Community centers, libraries, community swimming pools, museums, and art galleries or studios.
- Education: Colleges, universities, and elementary, middle, or high schools.
- Health and Social Services: Hospitals and all social service institutions (except those of a corrective nature).
- Public/Civic: Day care centers (child or adult), cemeteries, country clubs, golf courses, and passenger terminals (bus, trolley, etc.).
- Commercial/Retail: Membership clubs and lodges, government offices (federal, state, or local), and bed and breakfasts.
- Utilities: All major utilities, bus shelters, and bike share stations.
Uses Requiring Site Plan Approval (S)
- Unified Residential Development: Flexible, site-specific solutions for one-family detached dwellings on larger tracts [§10.1.2].
- Specific Housing: Low- and moderate-income housing projects that require exceptions to standard height or yard requirements [§12.3.7].
Accessory and Temporary Uses
Arlington County allows several accessory uses within the R2-7 district that are incidental to the primary residential use [§5.1.4]:
| Use Type | Permission Level | Standard Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Accessory Dwellings | Permitted | §12.9.2 |
| Family Day Care Homes | Permitted | §12.9.9 |
| Home Occupations | Permitted | §12.9.11 |
| Accessory Homestay | Permitted | §12.9.12 |
| Family/Caregiver Suites | Permitted | §12.9.8 |
| Private Swimming Pools | Permitted | §12.9.17 |
| Guest Houses | Permitted | §12.9.10 |
| Commercial Vehicle Parking | Permitted/Use Permit | §12.9.4 |
| Mortuaries and Funeral Homes | Use Permit | §12.9.14 |
Prohibited Uses
Any use not specifically listed as "P", "U", "S", or "C" in the Arlington County Residential Districts Principal Use Table is prohibited. Prohibited uses in the R2-7 district include, but are not limited to [§5.1.2, §12.2.1]:
- Commercial: Most retail sales uses, large-format retail, micro-fulfillment centers, vehicle sales/service, and self-service storage.
- Industrial: Light industrial services, manufacturing, heavy industry, and warehouse/freight movement.
- Residential: Boarding houses, rooming houses, and independent living facilities.
- Other: Solid waste transfer stations and resource extraction.
Density and Dimensional Standards
Development in the R2-7 district must adhere to the following technical requirements [§5.9.3]:
| Standard | One-family Dwellings | Semi-detached | Duplex | Townhouse |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Min. Site Area | N/A | 7,000 sq. ft. | 7,000 sq. ft. | 10,500 sq. ft. |
| Min. Lot Area | 5,000 sq. ft. | 3,500 sq. ft. | 7,000 sq. ft. | 3,500 sq. ft. |
| Min. Area per Unit | 5,000 sq. ft. | 3,500 sq. ft. | 3,500 sq. ft. | 3,500 sq. ft. |
| Min. Lot Width | 50 ft. | 35 ft. | 70 ft. | 18 ft. (unit) |
| Max. Height | 35 ft. | 35 ft. | 35 ft. | 35 ft. |
Sections Cited
- Article 1. Introductory Provisions (§1.7.1)
- Article 5. Residential (R) Districts (§5.1.2, §5.1.4, §5.9)
- Article 10. Unified Developments (§10.1)
- Article 12. Use Standards (§12.2.1, §12.3.7, §12.8.3, §12.9.2, §12.9.4, §12.9.8, §12.9.9, §12.9.10, §12.9.11, §12.9.12, §12.9.14, §12.9.17)