Guide to the C-1 Local Commercial District in Arlington County
The C-1: Local Commercial district in Arlington County is designated for low-intensity, unified shopping centers comprised of small shops in linear or cluster designs. This district maintains a maximum building height of 35 feet and a maximum Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of 1.0 for non-residential uses, ensuring that commercial centers remain compatible with the scale and character of the surrounding neighborhoods [Section 7.7.1, Section 7.7.3].
Purpose and General Character
The primary intent of the C-1: Local Commercial district is to provide appropriate locations for low-intensity development where retail and personal service uses are the predominant activities. While the district is centered on these services, it also allows for limited opportunities for office and business service uses [Section 7.7.1].
Arlington County requires that C-1 districts be developed as unified shopping centers. These centers are typically characterized by small individual shops arranged in a linear or cluster format. A critical requirement for the C-1 district is that any new development must be compatible with the surrounding area in terms of its physical scale and general character [Section 7.7.1].
Permitted Land Uses
The C-1 district allows a variety of residential, public, and commercial uses, categorized by whether they are permitted by-right, by use permit, or by site plan.
Residential and Public Uses
While primarily a commercial zone, the C-1 district allows for specific residential and public service uses to integrate with the community:
- Residential: One-family detached dwellings are permitted by-right. Recovery residences are permitted by-right or by use permit depending on occupancy levels [Section 7.1.2].
- Public/Institutional: Community centers, libraries, museums, and fire/police stations are allowed by-right. Schools (elementary, middle, and high) and hospitals require a use permit [Section 7.1.2].
Retail and Service Uses
Retail and service uses are the hallmark of the C-1 district. Common uses permitted by-right include:
- Food and Beverage: Restaurants, bakeries, artisan beverage production, and small-scale food catering [Section 7.1.2].
- Retail Sales: Grocery stores (up to 2,600 square feet for convenience stores), drug stores, florists, newsstands, and nurseries [Section 7.1.2, Section 12.5.9].
- Personal Services: Barbershops, beauty parlors, dry cleaning/laundromats, and branch banks [Section 7.1.2].
- Offices: Medical, dental, and professional offices [Section 7.1.2].
Density and Dimensional Standards
Arlington County enforces specific physical limits on structures within the C-1 district to preserve its low-intensity character.
| Type of Standard | One-Family Dwelling | All Other Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Lot Area | 6,000 sq. ft. | N/A |
| Minimum Lot Width | 60 feet | N/A |
| Maximum Height | 35 feet | 35 feet |
| Maximum Floor Area Ratio (FAR) | N/A | 1.0 |
[Section 7.7.3]
Use Limitations and Site Development
Establishments in the C-1 district must adhere to specific operational standards to maintain the district’s character:
- Enclosed Buildings: All business activities must be conducted entirely within an enclosed building, with specific exceptions for outdoor cafes, authorized short-term uses, and kiosks [Section 7.7.5].
- Manufacturing Restrictions: No manufacturing or processing is permitted unless it is clearly incidental and essential to a retail store or business on the premises [Section 7.7.5].
- Landscaping: New developments must dedicate 10 percent of the total site area to landscaped open space, maintained in accordance with county standards [Section 7.7.6, Section 14.2].
- Parking and Loading: Parking must be provided for all uses. For example, general retail uses require one space per 250 square feet of floor area on the first floor [Section 14.3.7].
Special Revitalization Districts
Certain properties within the C-1 district that are also located within the Columbia Pike or Clarendon Revitalization Districts may be subject to additional regulations, such as Form Based Code requirements or specific sector plan standards [Section 7.7.2, Section 11.1].
Sections Cited
- Section 7.1.2: Commercial/Mixed Use (C) Districts Principal Use Table
- Section 7.7.1: C-1, Local Commercial District Purpose
- Section 7.7.2: Special Revitalization Districts
- Section 7.7.3: C-1 Density and Dimensional Standards
- Section 7.7.5: C-1 Use Limitations
- Section 7.7.6: C-1 Site Development Standards
- Section 11.1: CP-FBC, Columbia Pike Form Based Code District
- Section 12.5.9: Grocery stores, convenience
- Section 12.5.12: Kiosks
- Section 14.2: Landscaping
- Section 14.3.7: Required parking and standing space