Guide to the C-O-1.0 Mixed Use Zoning District in Arlington County
The C-O-1.0 Mixed Use zoning district in Arlington County is designed to facilitate the redevelopment of older commercial areas into a mix of limited office, hotel, multiple-family residential, and institutional uses. By-right development in Arlington County's C-O-1.0 district is generally limited to a building height of 35 feet and a maximum floor area ratio (FAR) of 0.60, though special exceptions may allow for densities up to 1.0 FAR and heights up to six stories.
Purpose and General Character
The primary purpose of the C-O-1.0 Mixed Use zoning district is to provide for limited office building land use while encouraging the revitalized development of older commercial areas in Arlington County [§7.10.1]. The district's character is defined by a controlled mixture of uses—including office, hotel, and residential apartments—that must remain consistent with the Arlington County General Land Use Plan (GLUP) or approved area plans [§7.10.1].
A central feature of the general character of the C-O-1.0 Mixed Use zoning district is the integration of community facilities, landscaped areas, and utilities into new development projects [§7.10.1]. Under the C-O-1.0 Mixed Use zoning district regulations, the County Board determines the appropriate mixture of these uses and their respective densities through conditional use provisions [§7.10.1].
Permitted Land Uses
In Arlington County, the C-O-1.0 Mixed Use zoning district allows for a variety of residential, commercial, and public uses, categorized by how they are approved: "P" for by-right, "U" for use permit, and "S" for site plan approval.
Residential Uses
Residential life in the C-O-1.0 Mixed Use zoning district includes both single-family and high-density options:
- One-family detached dwellings: Permitted by-right (P) [§7.1.2].
- Multiple-family dwellings: Require site plan approval (S) [§7.1.2].
- Group Living: Assisted living facilities, continuing care retirement communities, and nursing homes all require site plan approval (S), while group homes require a use permit (U) [§7.1.2].
- Recovery Residences: Permitted by-right or by use permit depending on specific standards [§7.1.2].
Commercial and Office Uses
The C-O-1.0 Mixed Use zoning district prioritizes professional and local government services:
- Offices: Local government, medical/dental, and business/professional offices are permitted by-right (P) [§7.1.2].
- Retail and Food: Most retail stores and restaurants require site plan approval (S) in the C-O-1.0 Mixed Use zoning district [§7.1.2].
- Hotels: Hotels and motels require site plan approval (S) [§7.1.2].
Public and Institutional Uses
- Religious Institutions: Churches, mosques, and temples are permitted by-right (P) [§7.1.2].
- Schools and Colleges: Schools (elementary through high) and colleges/universities require site plan approval (S) or use permits (U) [§7.1.2].
Density and Dimensional Standards
Arlington County enforces two sets of standards for the C-O-1.0 Mixed Use zoning district: those for by-right development and those for projects approved via special exception (site plan or use permit).
By-Right Standards
Development occurring by-right in the C-O-1.0 Mixed Use zoning district must adhere to the following requirements:
| Type of Standard | One-Family Dwellings | All Other Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Lot area, minimum | 6,000 sq. ft. | 20,000 sq. ft. |
| Lot width, minimum average | 60 feet | 100 feet |
| Height, maximum | 35 feet | 35 feet |
| FAR (Site up to 9,999 sq. ft.) | N/A | 0.40 |
| FAR (Site 10,000 to 19,999 sq. ft.) | N/A | 0.50 |
| FAR (Site 20,000 sq. ft. and above) | N/A | 0.60 |
[§7.10.3.A]
Special Exception Standards
When approved by the Arlington County Board, projects in the C-O-1.0 Mixed Use zoning district may access higher densities and heights:
| Standard | Institutional | Office/Comm | Apartment | Hotel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Density, maximum | N/A | N/A | 40 units/acre | 60 units/acre |
| Lot area, minimum | 20,000 sq. ft. | 20,000 sq. ft. | 20,000 sq. ft. | 20,000 sq. ft. |
| Lot width, average | 100 feet | 100 feet | 100 feet | 100 feet |
| Height, maximum | 6 stories | 5 stories | 6 stories | 6 stories |
| Floor area ratio (FAR) | 1.0 | 1.0 | N/A | N/A |
[§7.10.3.B]
Site Development and Exceptions
Arlington County provides specific rules for the placement and parking of structures within the C-O-1.0 Mixed Use zoning district.
Building Placement
Stories are counted from the average elevation of the site. Any mechanical equipment placed on the roof of a building in the C-O-1.0 Mixed Use zoning district must be enclosed or screened [§7.10.3.D]. Furthermore, any building or group of buildings may have a mix of uses, but no part of the site can be used more than once when calculating the permitted density of the use [§7.10.4.A].
Parking Requirements
Required parking for the C-O-1.0 Mixed Use zoning district is generally provided in accordance with Article 14, though the County Board may modify these requirements during the site plan approval process [§7.10.5.A].
| Use Category | Required Parking Spaces |
|---|---|
| One-family dwellings | 1 space per dwelling unit (if not on cul-de-sac) |
| Other office buildings | 1 space per 250 sq. ft. (1st floor); 1 per 300 sq. ft. (2nd-5th floors) |
| Retail/Service Commercial | 1 space per 250 sq. ft. (1st floor); 1 per 300 sq. ft. (above 1st floor) |
| Multiple-family dwellings | 1 & 1/8 spaces for each of the first 200 units |
[§14.3.7]
Sections Cited
- §7.1.2 Commercial/mixed use (C) districts principal use table
- §7.10 C-O-1.0, Mixed Use District
- §7.10.1 Purpose
- §7.10.3 Density and dimensional standards
- §7.10.4 District use standards
- §7.10.5 Site development standards
- §14.3.7 Required parking and standing space