Drive-Through Business Regulations in Arlington County
In Arlington County, drive-through windows and facilities are classified as accessory uses and are permitted strictly through the "U" special exception process, which requires use permit approval from the Arlington County Board. These facilities are primarily allowed in specific Commercial/Mixed Use (C-1-R, C-2, C-3, C-R) and Industrial (CM, M-1, M-2) districts, as well as the Columbia Pike Form Based Code (CP-FBC) district. All Arlington County drive-through establishments must maintain five standing parking spaces per window and, in the Columbia Pike corridor, are limited to two lanes with no access permitted from Main Street.
Permitted Zoning Districts
Arlington County allows drive-through windows as accessory uses in the following districts, provided the applicant obtains a use permit from the Arlington County Board.
| District Type | Zoning District Name | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial/Mixed Use | C-1-R, Restricted Local Commercial | Use Permit (U) |
| Commercial/Mixed Use | C-2, Service Commercial-Community Business | Use Permit (U) |
| Commercial/Mixed Use | C-3, General Commercial | Use Permit (U) |
| Commercial/Mixed Use | C-R, Commercial Redevelopment | Use Permit (U) |
| Industrial | CM, Limited Industrial | Use Permit (U) |
| Industrial | M-1, Light Industrial | Use Permit (U) |
| Industrial | M-2, Service Industrial | Use Permit (U) |
| Overlay/Form Based | CP-FBC, Columbia Pike Form Based Code | Use Permit (U) |
[Section 7.1.3, Section 8.1.3, Section 11.1.6]
Development and Use Standards
Arlington County mandates specific operational and design standards for drive-through facilities to ensure they do not negatively impact traffic or neighborhood character.
Queueing and Standing Space
To prevent traffic congestion on public streets, Arlington County requires dedicated "standing spaces" for vehicles waiting to be served at a drive-through.
| Use Type | Minimum Standing Space Requirement |
|---|---|
| Drive-through banking & similar service establishments | 5 standing spaces for each teller or customer window |
[Section 14.3.7]
Specific Standards for Columbia Pike (CP-FBC)
Drive-through facilities located within the Arlington County Columbia Pike Form Based Code District are subject to additional restrictions regarding their physical configuration and site access:
- Lane Limitations: A maximum of two drive-through lanes is permitted for any single facility [Section 12.9.7.A].
- Access Restrictions: Drive-through access points are prohibited from being located on a Main Street frontage [Section 12.9.7.A].
Signage Regulations for Drive-Throughs
In Commercial and Industrial districts, Arlington County allows for additional signage specifically designed to assist drive-through operations.
| Standard | Drive-Through Sign Regulation |
|---|---|
| Maximum Number | One additional freestanding or wall-mounted sign |
| Location | Within five feet of the drive-aisle |
| Maximum Size | 12 square feet |
| Permit Requirement | Required if sign is larger than 4 sq. ft. or is electrified |
| Legibility Limit | Must not be legible from any property other than the subject site |
[Section 13.7.7.C.5]
Sections Cited
- Section 7.1.3: Commercial/mixed use (C) districts accessory use table
- Section 8.1.3: Industrial (M) districts accessory use table
- Section 11.1.6: Columbia Pike Form Based Code districts accessory use table
- Section 12.9.7: Drive-through facilities (Accessory Use Standards)
- Section 13.7.7: Incidental signs (C and M Districts)
- Section 14.3.7: Required parking and standing space