Arlington County R2-7: Two-family Dwelling District Guide
The R2-7 district in Arlington County provides for low-density residential development consisting of one-family detached homes, duplexes, and townhouses with a standard building height limit of 35 feet. Key dimensional requirements for the R2-7 district include a minimum lot area of 3,500 square feet per unit for townhouses and semi-detached dwellings, while full duplex sites require a minimum of 7,000 square feet.
Purpose and General Character
The Arlington County R2-7 district is established as a residential zone intended primarily for two-family and townhouse dwellings [§1.7.1]. While the specific purpose statement for this district is reserved in the ordinance, its character is defined by a progression in residential density that allows for diverse housing types—including duplexes and semidetached units—while maintaining architectural compatibility with existing one-family detached neighborhoods [§5.7.1, §5.9.1]. The R2-7 district in Arlington County maintains a low-rise residential profile with buildings generally restricted to 35 feet in height [§5.9.3].
Permitted Land Uses
Arlington County classifies uses in the R2-7 district into by-right permissions (P), which may be approved administratively, and special exception uses (U or S), which require additional board approval [§5.1.2].
Residential Uses
The following residential use types are permitted in the R2-7 district:
- One-family detached dwellings: Permitted by-right [§5.1.2].
- Duplexes: Permitted by-right [§5.1.2].
- Semidetached dwellings: Permitted by-right [§5.1.2].
- Townhouses: Permitted by-right [§5.1.2].
- Recovery residences: Permitted by-right when serving eight or fewer residents in a one-family detached dwelling [§12.3.9].
- Expanded Housing Option (EHO) development: Permitted subject to specific permit issuance by the Zoning Administrator, allowing duplexes, semidetached units, and small-scale townhouses or multi-family buildings (up to 6 units) [§10.4].
Public, Civic, and Institutional Uses
- Churches, mosques, synagogues, and temples: Permitted by-right [§5.1.2].
- Schools (elementary, middle, and high): Allowed by use permit approval (U) [§5.1.2].
- Hospitals: Allowed by use permit approval (U) [§5.1.2].
- Community centers and libraries: Allowed by use permit approval (U) [§5.1.2].
Accessory and Temporary Uses
- Accessory dwellings: Permitted by-right subject to standards in §12.9.2 [§5.1.4].
- Home occupations and accessory homestays: Permitted by-right subject to standards in §12.9.11 and §12.9.12 [§5.1.4].
- Family/caregiver suites: Permitted by-right subject to §12.9.8 [§5.1.4].
- Private swimming pools: Permitted as an accessory use [§5.1.4].
Density and Dimensional Standards
Arlington County regulates the physical form of the R2-7 district through specific area, width, and height requirements based on the housing type.
By-Right Development Standards
| Type of Standard | One-Family Dwellings | Semi-Detached Dwellings | Duplex Dwellings | Townhouse Dwellings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Site Area, minimum (sq. ft.) | N/A | 7,000 | 7,000 | 10,500 |
| Lot Area, minimum (sq. ft.) | 5,000 | 3,500 | 7,000 | 3,500 |
| Lot Area per unit (sq. ft.) | 5,000 | 3,500 | 3,500 | 3,500 |
| Lot Width, average min. (ft.) | 50 | 35 | 70 | N/A |
| Unit Width, minimum (ft.) | N/A | N/A | N/A | 18 |
| Height, maximum (ft.) | 35 | 35 | 35 | 35 |
| Min. Floor Area per unit (sq. ft.) | N/A | 750* | 750* | N/A |
*Exclusive of basements and attics. Standards taken from [§5.9.3.A].
Special Exception Standards
Arlington County allows for modifications to these standards under special exception approvals, such as reduced lot widths for semi-detached units (28 feet) and duplexes (56 feet) on transitional sites other than those abutting commercial C-1 or C-1-O districts [§5.9.3.B].
District Use and Development Standards
Arlington County enforces specific design and site development rules to ensure R2-7 district projects integrate with the neighborhood.
Townhouse Regulations
- Grouping Limits: No grouping of townhouse units in the R2-7 district shall exceed 180 feet in length [§5.9.4.A.1(b)].
- Setbacks: Each townhouse dwelling must have a rear yard of at least 25 feet. When subdivided to a common access easement, the units must be set back at least 10 feet from that easement [§5.9.4.A.1(e-f)].
- Access: No individual townhouse lot shall have direct vehicular access to primary or secondary arterial streets, distributors, or collector streets [§5.9.4.A.1(c)].
Landscaping and Parking
- Landscaping: At least 50 percent of the area within the required setback of an Arlington County R2-7 property must be landscaped [§5.9.5.A].
- General Parking: One- and two-family dwellings require one off-street parking space per unit, unless they front a cul-de-sac, in which case two spaces per unit are required [§14.3.7.A].
- Townhouse Parking: Townhouses in the R2-7 district require two parking spaces per dwelling unit, plus one additional visitor space for every five units [§14.3.7.A].
Sections Cited
- §1.7.1 Zoning Districts Established - General districts
- §5.1.2 Residential (R) districts principal use table
- §5.1.4 Residential (R) districts accessory use table
- §5.7.1 R-5 Purpose (Referenced for density progression)
- §5.9 R2-7, Two-Family and Townhouse Dwelling District
- §10.4 Expanded Housing Option Development
- §12.3.9 Recovery Residences
- §12.3.10 One-family detached dwellings
- §12.9.2 Accessory dwellings
- §12.9.8 Family/caregiver suites
- §12.9.11 Home occupation
- §12.9.12 Homestay, accessory
- §14.3.7 Required parking and standing space