Guide to the C-1 Local Commercial District Zoning in Arlington County
The C-1 Local Commercial District in Arlington County is designed to support low-intensity commercial developments, primarily linear or cluster-style shopping centers, where retail and personal services are the predominant activities. In this Arlington County district, by-right development is capped at a maximum height of 35 feet and a maximum floor area ratio (FAR) of 1.0. All business activities must be conducted entirely within enclosed buildings, with specific limited exceptions for outdoor cafes and certain garden-related merchandise.
Purpose and Intent of the C-1 District
Arlington County established the C-1: Local Commercial District to provide specific areas for low-intensity development. The primary goal is to foster neighborhoods where retail and personal service uses prevail, while offering very limited opportunities for professional office and business service uses [§7.7.1]. Arlington County requires that C-1 district centers be designed to be compatible with surrounding residential areas in terms of character and scale [§7.7.1].
Density and Dimensional Standards
All development within the C-1 district must adhere to specific size and placement standards. While one-family dwellings are permitted, they have different minimum lot requirements than general commercial uses.
C-1 District Development Standards
| Standard | One-Family Dwelling | All Other Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Lot Area | 6,000 sq. ft. | Not specified |
| Minimum Lot Width | 60 feet | Not specified |
| Maximum Height | 35 feet | 35 feet |
| Maximum Floor Area Ratio (FAR) | Not specified | 1.0 |
| Minimum Landscaped Open Space | 10% of total site area | 10% of total site area |
[Reference: §7.7.3, §7.7.6]
Allowed Uses in the C-1 District
The Arlington County zoning ordinance classifies uses in the C-1 district into three primary approval categories: By-Right (P), Use Permit required (U), and Site Plan approval required (S).
Residential and Institutional Uses
| Use Type | Status | Use Standard Reference |
|---|---|---|
| One-family detached dwelling | P | §12.3.10 |
| Recovery residence (8 or fewer residents) | P | §12.3.9 |
| Churches, mosques, synagogues, and temples | P | -- |
| Community centers | P | -- |
| Assisted living facilities | S | §12.3.12 |
| Continuing care retirement communities | S | §12.3.12 |
| Nursing homes | S | §12.3.12 |
| Hospitals | U | §12.4.2 |
| Day care (Child care and adult programs) | U | §12.4.1 |
| Schools (Elementary, middle, or high) | U | §12.4.1 |
Retail and Service Uses
| Use Type | Status | Use Standard Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurants | P | -- |
| Bakeries | P | §12.5.21 |
| Drug stores | P | §12.5.5 |
| Grocery stores (Standard or Convenience) | P | §12.5.9, §12.5.10 |
| Artisan beverage (production & retail) | P | §12.5.31 |
| Shared commercial kitchen | P | §12.5.34 |
| Animal care (Vet clinics and boarding) | P | §12.5.2 |
| Barbershop or beauty parlor | P | -- |
| Branch banks | P | -- |
| Dry-cleaning and laundromats | P | §12.5.6 |
| Newsstands | P | §12.5.21 |
| Nursery, flower or plant stores | P | §12.5.15 |
| Medical and dental offices/clinics | P | §12.5.16 |
| Business or professional offices | P | -- |
| Kiosks | U | §12.5.12 |
| Athletic or health clubs | U | §12.5.20 |
| Dance studios | U | §12.5.20 |
| Mortuaries and funeral homes | C* | §12.5.14 |
*Note: Status "C" indicates the use requires both Use Permit and Site Plan approval in buildings controlled by a site plan [§7.1.2.D].
Use Limitations and Prohibited Uses
Arlington County enforces strict limitations on the operational nature of businesses in the C-1 district to preserve its low-intensity character.
Prohibited Activities
- Industrial/Manufacturing: No industry or manufacturing is permitted, except for the crafting of articles to be sold exclusively at retail on the premises [§7.7.5.A].
- Wholesaling: Wholesaling and jobbing activities are strictly prohibited [§7.7.5.A].
- Animal Processing: The killing of poultry or livestock is prohibited within the C-1 district [§7.7.5.A].
- Bulk Storage: Merchandise may not be stored except as inventory for retail sales conducted on the premises [§7.7.5.A].
Operational Conditions
Every business in the C-1 district must be conducted wholly within an enclosed building, with the following exceptions:
- Outdoor Cafes: Permitted as an accessory to food establishments [§7.7.5.B.1].
- Specific Garden Supplies: Outdoor display and storage of fertilizers, mulch, peat moss, and garden tools are permitted if approved by the zoning administrator and they do not impede pedestrian movement [§7.7.5.B.3].
- Kiosks: Permitted and regulated under specific standards, allowing displays extending no more than two feet from the kiosk wall [§7.7.5.B.4].
- Short-term Uses: Specific temporary activities allowed under the short-term use standards of the Arlington County code [§7.7.5.B.2].
Site Development Standards
Developments in the C-1 district must provide off-street parking as required by Article 14. Arlington County mandates that 10 percent of the total site area be designated as landscaped open space [§7.7.6]. Additionally, any development within the Columbia Pike or Clarendon Revitalization Districts must comply with supplementary regulations specific to those areas, such as the Form Based Code [§7.7.2].
Sections Cited
- §7.1.2 Principal Use Table
- §7.7.1 Purpose
- §7.7.2 Uses
- §7.7.3 Density and Dimensional Standards
- §7.7.5 Use Limitations
- §7.7.6 Site Development Standards
- §12.5.21 Retail Sales Standards
- §14.2 Landscaping
- §14.3 Parking and Loading