Guide to the C-TH Commercial Townhouse District in Arlington County
The C-TH Commercial Townhouse District in Arlington County is designed to provide a transition between high-density commercial areas and low-density residential zones, specifically in the vicinity of Metrorail stations. It permits a versatile mix of residential, office, and retail uses within structures that must maintain the physical scale and architectural character of residential townhouses. The district generally limits building heights to 55 feet, with specific tapering requirements when abutting low-density residential neighborhoods [§7.18.1, §7.18.3].
Purpose and General Character
Arlington County established the C-TH district to encourage commercial development that utilizes the townhouse form. A primary goal of the C-TH district is to facilitate a "tapering" effect of building heights, ensuring that the transition from intense Metrorail-adjacent commercial hubs to quieter residential communities is visually and functionally harmonious [§7.18.1].
The character of the C-TH district is defined by its "Physical Requirements," which mandate that buildings possess exterior characteristics compatible with residential townhouses. This includes the use of specific materials such as brick, wood, stone, or stucco, and the coordination of bulk, placement, and window/door orientation to match a residential aesthetic [§7.18.7].
Permitted Land Uses
The C-TH district allows for a broad range of residential, public, and commercial uses. These are typically categorized as "Permitted" (by-right), "Site Plan Approval Required," or "Use Permit Required" [§7.1.2].
Residential and Group Living
- One-family detached dwellings
- Townhouses
- Multiple-family dwellings
- Recovery residences
- Group homes (requires use permit)
- Dormitories (requires use permit)
Public, Civic, and Institutional
- Churches, mosques, synagogues, and temples
- Community centers, libraries, and museums
- Schools (elementary, middle, and high)
- Hospitals (requires use permit)
- Governmental facilities (fire and police stations)
Commercial and Retail
- Office (business, professional, and medical)
- Restaurants and artisan beverage production
- General retail (bakeries, drug stores, florists, grocery stores)
- Personal services (barbershops, dry cleaning, tailors)
- Hotels (requires site plan approval)
- Self-service storage (permitted by use permit with specific multi-story and ground-floor retail requirements) [§12.5.25.B]
Density and Dimensional Standards
Development in the Arlington County C-TH district must adhere to specific area and height limitations based on the type of use.
Dimensional Standards Table
| Standard Type | One-family Dwelling | Two-family (Semi-detached/Duplex)¹ | Hotel | Office, Commercial, & Multi-family |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Min. Site Area (sq. ft.) | 5,000 | 8,700 | N/A | N/A |
| Max. Density (units/acre) | N/A | N/A | 110 | N/A |
| Min. Lot Width (feet) | 50 | 35 (Semi) / 70 (Duplex) | N/A | N/A |
| Max. Height (feet) | 35 | 35 | 55² | 55² |
| Max. Height (stories) | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
¹ Applies to two-family dwellings that share a lot line with RA, C, or M districts. ² Height is limited to 45 feet for the first 50 feet of property if abutting an R district designated as "low" residential (1-10 units/acre) on the General Land Use Plan. [§7.18.3]
Site Development Standards
Parking Requirements
Arlington County mandates specific parking ratios for the C-TH district to ensure adequate off-street space is available for residents and customers [§7.18.5.B].
| Use Type | Required Parking Ratio |
|---|---|
| Commercial or Office | 1 space per 580 sq. ft. of gross floor area |
| Residential (per unit) | 1.5 parking spaces |
| Hotel (per unit) | 1 parking space |
Landscaping and Streetscape
- Landscaping: A minimum of 10 percent of the total site area must be dedicated to landscaped open space [§7.18.5.A].
- Streetscape: The periphery of any site fronting a public right-of-way must be improved with curbs, gutters, sidewalks, and streetlights. If the site is within a sector plan area, it must follow that plan's specific standards; otherwise, it must follow the Master Walkway Policy Plan [§7.18.6].
- Utilities: All aerial utilities must be placed underground during redevelopment or new construction [§7.18.6.B].
Screening and Storage
- Surface Parking: Must be screened from public plazas, sidewalks, and abutting residential properties by landscaping and a four-foot high brick wall. If the adjacent residential area is designated "low" density, the wall must be at least six feet high [§7.18.6.C].
- Trash Collection: Storage areas must be located inside the principal structure or in an outdoor area screened by a masonry or brick wall at least six feet in height [§7.18.6.D].
Sections Cited
- Article 7. Commercial/ Mixed Use (C) Districts
- Section 7.1.2 (Principal Use Table)
- Section 7.18 (C-TH, Commercial Townhouse District)
- Section 7.18.1 (Purpose)
- Section 7.18.3 (Density and Dimensional Standards)
- Section 7.18.5 (Site Development Standards)
- Section 7.18.6 (Streetscape)
- Section 7.18.7 (Physical Requirements)
- Section 12.5.25.B (Self-service storage in C-TH)
- Section 13.7.1.D (Aggregate sign area)