Arlington County RA7-16 Multiple-family Dwelling District Guide
The RA7-16 district in Arlington County is a multiple-family residential zone that permits by-right building heights up to 35 feet and requires a minimum of 1,800 square feet of lot area per dwelling unit. Under special exception site plan approval, Arlington County may allow building heights to reach 95 feet or 10 stories, with an increased density of one unit per 1,000 square feet of lot area. The RA7-16 district is primarily characterized by apartment-style living and senior care facilities, with strict lot coverage limits and parking requirements designed to manage high-density residential use.
General Character and Purpose
The RA7-16 district is part of the Residential Apartment (RA) district groupings in Arlington County [§1.7.1]. While the specific purpose statement for the RA7-16 district is reserved in the code, its character is defined by its designation as a "Multiple-family Dwelling" district [§6.4.1]. The RA7-16 district provides a framework for medium-to-high density residential development, allowing for a mix of single-family, two-family, and large-scale apartment buildings. The district's character is further influenced by special provisions for properties within the Columbia Pike Special Revitalization District or the Columbia Pike Neighborhoods Special Revitalization District, where land uses are governed by specific adopted plans [§6.4.2].
Density and Dimensional Standards
Arlington County specifies different standards for the RA7-16 district depending on whether the development is "by-right" (approved administratively) or through a "special exception" (requiring County Board approval).
RA7-16 By-Right Development Standards
| Type of Standard | Multiple-Family | All Other Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Site Area | 7,500 sq. ft. | 100,000 sq. ft. |
| Lot Area per Dwelling Unit | 1,800 sq. ft. | N/A |
| Min. Lot Width | 75 feet | 200 feet |
| Max. Height (feet) | 35 feet | 95 feet |
| Max. Height (stories) | 3 ½ stories | 10 stories |
| Max. Lot Coverage | N/A | 50% |
RA7-16 Special Exception Development Standards
| Type of Standard | Multiple-Family | Elder Care Uses | All Other Uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Min. Site Area | 100,000 sq. ft. | 43,560 sq. ft. | 100,000 sq. ft. |
| Lot Area per Dwelling Unit | 1,000 sq. ft. | N/A | N/A |
| Min. Lot Width | 200 feet | N/A | 200 feet |
| Max. Height (feet) | 95 feet | 60 feet | 95 feet |
| Max. Height (stories) | 10 stories | N/A | 10 stories |
| Max. Lot Coverage | 50% | 50% | 50% |
| Max. Floor Area Ratio | N/A | 1.25 | N/A |
Technical standards source: [§6.4.3]
Permitted Land Uses
Arlington County permits a wide range of residential, public, and institutional uses within the RA7-16 district. Uses are categorized as permitted by-right (P), requiring a use permit (U), or requiring site plan approval (S) [§6.1.2].
Residential Uses
- Household Living: The RA7-16 district permits one-family detached dwellings, duplexes, and semidetached dwellings by-right. Multiple-family buildings and townhouses are also permitted by-right. Independent living facilities require site plan approval [§6.1.2].
- Group Living: Assisted living facilities and nursing homes require site plan approval. Other group living arrangements, such as dormitories, fraternity/sorority houses, and group homes, require use permit approval [§6.1.2].
Public and Institutional Uses
- Community Services: Libraries are permitted by-right in the RA7-16 district. Community centers, community swimming pools, museums, and recreation centers all require use permit approval [§6.1.2].
- Educational Facilities: Schools (elementary, middle, and high) and colleges/universities require use permit approval [§6.1.2].
- Health and Safety: Hospitals require use permit approval, while fire and police stations are permitted by-right [§6.1.2].
- Religious Institutions: Churches, mosques, synagogues, and temples are permitted by-right [§6.1.2].
Other Permitted Uses
- Agriculture: All agricultural uses are permitted by-right in the RA7-16 district [§6.1.2].
- Telecommunications: Small cell or micro-wireless facilities are permitted by-right. Larger telecommunications facilities require a use permit [§6.1.2].
District-Specific Regulations
Arlington County applies additional rules to the RA7-16 district regarding lot configuration and specialized uses:
- Nonconforming Lots: Existing lots that have less width or area than current RA7-16 district requirements may be occupied by any use permitted in the district, provided they were bounded by streets or less restricted zoning boundaries at the time they became nonconforming [§6.4.D.1].
- Lot Coverage: For all uses within the RA7-16 district, the total amount of the site covered by buildings, parking, maneuvering space, and other accessory uses cannot exceed 50 percent [§6.4.D.2].
- Elder Care Height: Arlington County restricts the maximum height of elder care uses to 60 feet (exclusive of mechanical penthouses) unless they are located in certain special revitalization districts where the adopted plans specify a different maximum [§6.4.4.A].
- Parking and Loading: All development within the RA7-16 district must provide parking and loading facilities in accordance with the standards set forth in Article 14 [§6.4.5.A].
Sections Cited
- Article 1. Introductory Provisions (§1.7.1)
- Article 6. Multiple-Family (RA) Districts (§6.1, §6.1.2, §6.4, §6.4.1, §6.4.2, §6.4.3, §6.4.4, §6.4.5)
- Article 14. Site Development Standards (§14.3)