C-1-R Restricted Local Commercial District Setback Requirements
In the C-1-R Restricted Local Commercial District of Arlington County, setback requirements vary based on whether the property is used for one-family detached dwellings or for commercial/other permitted uses. Commercial structures typically require a front setback of at least 25 feet from the street right-of-way, while side and rear yards are only mandated when the building contains windows or directly abuts a residential district [Section 3.2.6.A].
Setback Requirements for the C-1-R District
The following table outlines the specific placement standards for the C-1-R Restricted Local Commercial District in Arlington County.
| Use Type | Front Setback (Street) | Side Setback | Rear Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial and Other Non-Residential Uses | The larger of 50 feet from the street centerline or 25 feet from the street right-of-way line [Section 3.2.6.A.1] | 0 feet (See Note A) [Section 3.2.6.A.2] | 0 feet (See Note A) [Section 3.2.6.A.2] |
| One-Family Detached Dwellings | 25 feet from the street right-of-way line (See Note B) [Section 3.2.6.A.1] | 10 feet (See Note C) [Section 3.2.6.A.2] | 25 feet for interior lots [Section 3.2.6.A.2] |
Note A: Commercial Side and Rear Yards In Arlington County's C-1-R district, no side or rear yard is required for commercial buildings except in the following circumstances:
- Windows/Openings: Any wall containing windows or openings (regardless of whether they can be opened) must be set back at least 8 feet for the first 10 feet of building height. An additional 2 feet of setback is required for every 10 feet of additional building height [Section 3.2.6.A.2].
- Abutting Residential: Any wall on the side or rear of a lot that abuts an R (Residential) or RA (Residential Apartment) district must follow the same height-based formula (8 feet for the first 10 feet of height, plus 2 feet for every additional 10 feet of height) [Section 3.2.6.A.2].
Note B: One-Family Front Setback Exceptions The front wall of a one-family dwelling in the C-1-R Restricted Local Commercial District may be reduced to no less than 15 feet if it matches the average distance of existing structures on that same frontage. However, parking garages must never be closer than 18 feet to the street right-of-way line [Section 3.2.6.A.1].
Note C: One-Family Side Yard Variations For one-family dwellings, one side yard may be reduced to 8 feet, provided that the aggregate width of both side yards is at least 30 percent of the required lot width [Section 3.2.6.A.2].
Placement and Visual Standards
Maximum Height in Setbacks
In Arlington County residential districts and for residential uses in commercial districts like C-1-R, no structure located within 25 feet of a street right-of-way line may exceed 2.5 stories in height [Section 3.2.6.A.1].
Encroachments
Arlington County permits certain architectural features to encroach into required yards in the C-1-R Restricted Local Commercial District:
- 18 Inches: Bay windows (without floor space), chimneys, and porch eaves [Section 3.2.6.A.3].
- 4 Feet: Balconies, decks, patios (at least 8 inches above grade), and stoops [Section 3.2.6.A.3].
- No Limit: Stairs and steps that are less than 8 inches above finished grade may extend all the way to the property line [Section 3.2.6.A.3].
Sections Cited
- §3.1.9 Setbacks and yards
- §3.2.6 Placement
- §7.1.2 Commercial/Mixed Use (C) Districts Principal Use Table
- §7.6 C-1-R, Restricted Local Commercial District