Guide to the M-1 Light Industrial District in Arlington County
The M-1 Light Industrial District in Arlington County is designed to accommodate a broad range of industrial, manufacturing, and commercial activities with a maximum Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of 1.5 and a height limit of 75 feet. While the Arlington County Zoning Ordinance permits most light industrial and retail uses by-right, residential household living is generally prohibited, and many civic or institutional uses require a special exception use permit.
Allowed Uses in the M-1 Light Industrial District
The Arlington County Zoning Ordinance utilizes a principal use table to define permissions. A "P" indicates the use is permitted by-right, while a "U" indicates a special exception use requiring a use permit. If a cell is blank in the M-1 column, that use is not allowed within the district [§8.1.2].
Industrial and Wholesale Uses
The M-1 Light Industrial District primarily serves industrial firms. Most light industrial services and manufacturing processes are allowed by-right in Arlington County.
| Use Type | Permission Level |
|---|---|
| Light industrial service (Contractors, repair shops, etc.) | Permitted (P) |
| Manufacturing and production (Bakery, printing, etc.) | Permitted (P) |
| Warehouse and freight movement | Permitted (P) |
| Wholesale trade (Lumber yards, etc.) | Permitted (P) |
| Storage or rental of machinery and heavy trucks | Permitted (P) |
| Recycling centers | Use Permit (U) |
| Separation and disposal facilities (incinerators) | Permitted (P) |
Commercial and Retail Uses
Arlington County allows extensive commercial activity within the M-1 Light Industrial District to support the local economy and industrial workforce.
| Use Type | Permission Level |
|---|---|
| Restaurants and food establishments | Permitted (P) |
| Artisan beverage and artisan workshops | Permitted (P) |
| Retail sales (Drug stores, florists, grocery, etc.) | Permitted (P) |
| Offices (Business, professional, medical, or dental) | Permitted (P) |
| Hotels or motels | Permitted (P) |
| Vehicle sales, rental, or leasing facilities | Permitted (P) |
| Vehicle body shops and service establishments | Permitted (P) |
| Self-service storage | Permitted (P) |
| Animal care and boarding | Permitted (P) |
| Indoor and outdoor recreation (Swimming pools, etc.) | Permitted (P) |
Public, Civic, and Institutional Uses
Many public-facing uses in the M-1 Light Industrial District require a use permit to ensure they do not conflict with nearby industrial operations in Arlington County.
| Use Type | Permission Level |
|---|---|
| Churches, mosques, synagogues, and temples | Permitted (P) |
| Fire and police stations | Permitted (P) |
| Schools (Elementary, middle, and high) | Use Permit (U) |
| Colleges and universities | Use Permit (U) |
| Libraries, museums, and art galleries | Use Permit (U) |
| Child care centers and day care uses | Use Permit (U) |
| Hospitals | Use Permit (U) |
| Social service institutions | Use Permit (U) |
Prohibited Uses in the M-1 Light Industrial District
Under the Arlington County Zoning Ordinance, any use not explicitly listed with a "P," "U," or "S" in the M-1 column is considered a prohibited use [§8.1.2].
- Household Living: All forms of standard residential household living, including one-family detached dwellings, duplexes, and multi-family buildings, are prohibited in the M-1 Light Industrial District [§8.1.2].
- Heavy Industrial Exceptions: While many industrial uses are allowed, certain high-impact activities like wrecking and salvage yards or asphalt processing are generally restricted or not listed as permitted in the M-1 Light Industrial District [§8.1.2, §12.2.6.C].
- Unclassified Uses: Any use that cannot be reasonably categorized into the existing classification system is not permitted unless a similar use interpretation is granted by the Zoning Administrator [§12.2.2].
Technical and Development Standards
All structures and uses in the M-1 Light Industrial District must adhere to the density and dimensional standards established by Arlington County.
| Standard Type | M-1 District Requirement |
|---|---|
| Maximum Height | 75 feet [§8.3.3] |
| Maximum Floor Area Ratio (FAR) | 1.5 [§8.3.3] |
| Minimum Lot Area | None specified (except for specific uses) [§8.3.3] |
| Setbacks from Streets | 40 feet from centerline of any street [§3.2.6.A.1] |
| Side/Rear Yard (Abutting R/RA) | 8 ft for first 10 ft of height + 2 ft for each additional 10 ft of height [§3.2.6.A.2] |
Parking Requirements
Parking in the M-1 Light Industrial District is calculated based on the specific type of use being established in Arlington County.
| Use Category | Required Parking Spaces |
|---|---|
| Industrial/Manufacturing | 1 per 1,000 sq. ft. or 1 per 2 employees (whichever is greater) [§14.3.7] |
| Office Buildings | 1 per 250 sq. ft. of floor area [§14.3.7] |
| Retail and Service Commercial | 1 per 250 sq. ft. (1st floor); 1 per 300 sq. ft. (other floors) [§14.3.7] |
| Restaurants | 1 per each 6 seats [§14.3.7] |
Sections Cited
- §3.2.6. Placement
- §8.1. Industrial (M) Districts Use Tables
- §8.3. M-1, Light Industrial District
- §12.2.2. Similar use interpretations
- §12.2.6. Industrial use categories
- §14.3.7. Required parking and standing space