Off-Street Parking Requirements for the P-S: Public Service District
In the P-S: Public Service district of Arlington County, residential projects such as one-family detached dwellings typically require one off-street parking space per unit, unless located on a cul-de-sac where the requirement increases to two spaces. Commercial-style projects, such as local government offices, are required to provide one space for every 250 square feet of floor area on the first floor, with diminishing ratios for higher stories. Specific specialized residential uses like nursing homes and assisted living facilities are regulated by bed or bedroom counts, typically requiring 0.5 spaces per unit [§14.3.7].
General Parking Standards for the P-S District
All development within the Arlington County P-S: Public Service district must provide off-street parking and loading spaces in accordance with Article 14 of the zoning ordinance [§4.4.5]. These spaces must generally be provided on the same parcel of land as the use they serve. If a site's physical condition makes on-site provision difficult, the Zoning Administrator or County Board may authorize off-site parking within 1/4 mile of the project, subject to specific administrative or use permit requirements [§14.3.3.B].
Residential Parking Requirements
Residential uses permitted in the P-S: Public Service district include one-family dwellings, group living facilities, and various forms of elder care housing. Arlington County scales the parking requirement based on the intensity of the residential use and the specific lot configuration.
| Residential Use Type | Minimum Parking Requirement |
|---|---|
| One-family detached (not on a cul-de-sac) | 1 per dwelling unit |
| One-family detached (fronting on a cul-de-sac) | 2 per dwelling unit |
| Assisted living facilities / Independent living | 0.5 per bedroom |
| Nursing homes | 0.5 per bed |
| Group homes | Ratio determined by the most similar listed use |
Commercial and Office Parking Requirements
While the P-S: Public Service district is primarily intended for public and civic uses, it permits specific commercial-style activities, including government offices and limited retail sales. Arlington County applies floor-area-based ratios to these uses, often differentiating between the ground floor and upper levels of a building.
| Commercial/Office Use Type | Minimum Parking Requirement |
|---|---|
| Local Government Offices (First Floor) | 1 per 250 sq. ft. of gross floor area |
| Local Government Offices (Basement, 2nd–5th Floors) | 1 per 300 sq. ft. of gross floor area |
| Local Government Offices (Above 5th Floor) | 1 per 400 sq. ft. of gross floor area |
| General Retail / Service (First Floor) | 1 per 250 sq. ft. of gross floor area |
| General Retail / Service (Other Floors) | 1 per 300 sq. ft. of gross floor area |
| Kiosks | Exempt from all parking requirements |
Specialized Use Standards
Specific commercial and public activities allowed in the P-S: Public Service district have unique requirements or exemptions:
Kiosks and Temporary Markets
Kiosks in Arlington County are explicitly exempt from any parking requirements [§12.5.12.D.2]. For open-air markets, the applicant must submit a parking plan to the County Board during the use permit process, which must identify available spaces sufficient to prevent a substantial adverse impact on the surrounding neighborhood [§12.5.17.D].
Government Facilities and Utilities
Many public service utilities and minor facilities in the P-S: Public Service district are not assigned specific parking ratios in the standard table. In such cases, the Arlington County Zoning Administrator determines the requirement based on the most similar listed use [§14.3.7.B].
Dimensional and Access Requirements
Parking spaces in the P-S: Public Service district must meet minimum size and access standards. Standard full-size automobile spaces must generally be 8.5 feet wide, with varying depths based on the parking angle (e.g., 18 feet for a 90-degree angle). All parking areas must be organized to provide adequate aisle clearance and permit the removal of vehicles without moving other cars [§14.3.3.C, §14.3.3.D].
Sections Cited
- §4.1.2 Public (P) Districts Principal Use Table
- §4.4 P-S, Public Service District
- §12.5.12 Kiosks
- §12.5.17 Open-air markets
- §14.3 Parking and Loading
- §14.3.3 General Requirements (Parking)
- §14.3.7 Required Parking and Standing Space