Arlington County RA-H: Hotel District Regulations
The RA-H: Hotel district in Arlington County is a commercial/mixed-use classification primarily designed to accommodate high-density hotel and residential developments. By-right development in this district is limited to 35 or 95 feet depending on the use, while special exception site plans allow for heights reaching 125 feet and densities of one unit or guest room per 600 square feet of lot area.
Purpose and General Character
The RA-H: Hotel district is categorized within Arlington County as a "Commercial/Mixed-use (C) district" [§1.7.1]. While the specific purpose statement for the district is reserved in the ordinance, its character is defined by the provision for high-rise hotel and multiple-family dwelling redevelopment. The Arlington County Zoning Ordinance structures the RA-H district to support large-scale projects, often requiring minimum lot areas of 100,000 square feet for significant height and density increases [§7.4.3].
Permitted Land Uses
Land uses in the RA-H: Hotel district are governed by the principal use tables found in Article 7 of the Arlington County Zoning Ordinance. Uses are classified as permitted by-right (P), requiring a special exception use permit (U), or requiring a special exception site plan (S) [§7.1.2].
Residential and Group Living
| Specific Use Type | Permission Level | Use Standard |
|---|---|---|
| One-family detached | P | - |
| Multiple-family | S | - |
| Townhouses | P | - |
| Recovery residence | P / U | §12.3.9 |
| Assisted living facilities | S | §12.3.12 |
| Continuing care retirement communities | S | §12.3.12 |
| Dormitories | U | §12.3.3 |
| Fraternity and sorority houses | U | §12.3.5 |
| Group homes | U | §12.3.6 |
Public, Civic, and Institutional Uses
| Specific Use Type | Permission Level | Use Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Religious Institutions (Churches, mosques, etc.) | P | - |
| Colleges and universities | U | - |
| Community centers | U | - |
| Libraries | U | - |
| Hospitals | U | §12.4.2 |
| Schools (Elementary, middle, or high) | U | §12.4.1 |
| Major Utilities | U | §12.4.9 |
| Minor Utilities | P | §12.4.9 |
Commercial and Retail Uses
| Specific Use Type | Permission Level | Use Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Hotels or motels | S | §12.5.11 |
| Membership clubs and lodges | U | §12.5.13 |
| Medical or dental offices or clinics | U | §12.5.16 |
| Bed and breakfasts | U | §12.5.3 |
| Open-air markets | U | §12.5.17 |
Density and Dimensional Standards
Arlington County specifies different dimensional requirements for the RA-H: Hotel district depending on whether a project is developed by-right or through the special exception (site plan) process [§7.4.3].
By-Right Development Standards
| Type of Standard | Multiple-family | All Other Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Lot Area | 7,500 sq. ft. | 100,000 sq. ft. |
| Minimum Lot Area per Unit | 1,800 sq. ft. | N/A |
| Minimum Lot Width | 75 ft. | 200 ft. |
| Maximum Height (Feet) | 35 ft. | 95 ft. |
| Maximum Height (Stories) | 3.5 stories | 10 stories |
| Maximum Lot Coverage | N/A | 50% |
Special Exception (Site Plan) Standards
Special exception projects in the RA-H: Hotel district allow for significantly higher density and height than by-right developments.
| Type of Standard | Multiple-family & Hotels | Elder Care Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Lot Area | 100,000 sq. ft. | 100,000 sq. ft. |
| Min. Lot Area per Dwelling Unit | 600 sq. ft. | N/A |
| Min. Lot Area per Guest Room | 600 sq. ft. | N/A |
| Maximum Height (Feet) | 125 ft. | 125 ft. |
| Maximum Height (Stories) | 12 stories | N/A |
| Maximum Lot Coverage | 50% | 50% |
Site Development Standards
Development in the RA-H: Hotel district must adhere to general Arlington County standards for parking, loading, and landscaping.
Parking Requirements
Arlington County calculates required parking for the RA-H: Hotel district based on the specific use type [§14.3.7]:
| Use Type | Minimum Parking Requirement |
|---|---|
| Hotels and Motels | 1 space per dwelling unit or guest room |
| Multiple-family Dwellings | 1.125 spaces per unit for the first 200 units; 1 space for each additional unit |
| One- and Two-family Dwellings | 1 space per dwelling unit (if not on a cul-de-sac) |
Additional District Standards
- Lot Coverage: For special exception projects, underground structures may cover the entire lot, provided the surface coverage of all buildings, parking, and roads does not exceed 50 percent of the site [§7.4.3.B.1].
- Landscaping: General landscaping standards of Article 14 apply to all development in the RA-H: Hotel district [§7.4.5].
- Building Appearance: New mortuaries or funeral homes permitted in the RA-H: Hotel district must maintain the exterior appearance of a residential structure [§12.5.14].
Sections Cited
- Section 1.7.1 (Zoning Districts Established)
- Section 7.1.2 (Commercial/Mixed Use Districts Principal Use Table)
- Section 7.4 (RA-H, Hotel District)
- Section 7.4.1 (Purpose)
- Section 7.4.2 (Uses)
- Section 7.4.3 (Density and dimensional standards)
- Section 7.4.5 (Site development standards)
- Section 12.3.9 (Recovery Residences)
- Section 12.5.11 (Hotels or motels)
- Section 12.5.14 (Mortuaries and funeral homes)
- Section 14.3.7 (Required parking and standing space)