C-1 Local Commercial District Setback Requirements in Arlington County
In the Arlington County C-1 Local Commercial district, commercial structures generally have no minimum side or rear yard requirements unless the lot abuts a residential district or the building wall contains windows. Street setbacks for commercial buildings must be at least 25 feet from the street right-of-way line or 50 feet from the street centerline, whichever is greater. One-family dwellings permitted within the C-1 district are subject to specific residential setback standards, typically requiring a 25-foot front yard and 10-foot side yards [Section 3.2.6, Section 7.7.3].
Street Setback Requirements
The placement of all buildings in the Arlington County C-1 district is governed by two primary rules regarding street proximity. First, a global safety rule dictates that no structure may be located closer to the centerline of any street than 50 percent of the building's total height [Section 3.2.6.A.1].
Beyond that minimum, the following specific street setbacks apply to the C-1 Local Commercial district:
C-1 Street Setback Standards
| Building Type | Minimum Street Setback |
|---|---|
| Commercial / All Other Uses | The larger of 25 feet from the street right-of-way line OR 50 feet from the street centerline [Section 3.2.6.A.1(d)]. |
| One-Family Dwellings | 25 feet from the street right-of-way line. This may be reduced to the average distance of existing structures on the same frontage, but never less than 15 feet [Section 3.2.6.A.1(e)]. |
Side and Rear Yard Requirements
For standard commercial development in the Arlington County C-1 district, there is no mandatory side or rear yard. However, setbacks are triggered if the building is designed with windows or if the site neighbors a residential (R) or residential apartment (RA) district [Section 3.2.6.A.2].
C-1 Side and Rear Setback Standards
| Condition | Required Setback |
|---|---|
| Standard Commercial Wall (No windows, not abutting R/RA) | None required [Section 3.2.6.A.2(a)]. |
| Wall with Windows / Openings | 8 feet for the first 10 feet of building height, plus 2 additional feet for every 10 additional feet of building height (or fraction thereof) [Section 3.2.6.A.2(a)]. |
| Wall Abutting R or RA Districts | 8 feet for the first 10 feet of building height, plus 2 additional feet for every 10 additional feet of building height (or fraction thereof) [Section 3.2.6.A.2(a)]. |
Requirements for One-Family Dwellings in the C-1 District
One-family detached dwellings are permitted in the Arlington County C-1 district and must comply with specific residential dimensional standards [Section 7.7.3.A].
| Standard Type | One-Family Dwelling Requirement |
|---|---|
| Side Yard (Minimum) | 10 feet (one side may be reduced to 8 feet) [Section 3.2.6.A.2(b)]. |
| Aggregate Side Yards | Not less than 30 percent of the total lot width [Section 3.2.6.A.2(b)]. |
| Rear Yard | 25 feet (for interior lots) [Section 3.2.6.A.2(b)]. |
Permitted Encroachments into Setbacks
Arlington County allows certain architectural features to extend into the required yards and setbacks within the C-1 district, provided they meet specific limits [Section 3.2.6.A.3].
- Windows and Chimneys: Bay windows, oriel windows (without floor space), and chimneys may encroach up to 18 inches into any required yard.
- Unenclosed Features: Balconies, eaves, trim, fascia boards, and stoops may encroach up to 4 feet into required yards, but they must remain at least 5 feet away from any property line.
- Steps and Stairs: Uncovered stairs and steps may encroach up to 4 feet into required yards. If they are less than 8 inches above the finished grade, they may extend all the way to the property line.
- Mechanical Equipment: Air conditioning units and generators are permitted in side and rear yards, provided they are located at least 8 feet from a side lot line and 10 feet from a rear lot line. If screened by a fence or vegetation, they may be located as close as 5 feet to a side lot line and 8 feet to a street right-of-way or rear lot line.
Sections Cited
- §3.1.2 Build-to line
- §3.2.6 Placement (Setbacks and Yards)
- §7.7 C-1, Local Commercial District
- §12.9.15 Outdoor Cafés (Encroachment references)