Off-Street Parking Requirements for the R-6 One-Family Dwelling District
In Arlington County’s R-6: One-family Dwelling District, standard residential projects typically require one off-street parking space per unit, or two spaces if the property fronts a cul-de-sac. Projects developed under the Expanded Housing Option or those located near high-frequency transit corridors may qualify for reduced ratios as low as 0.5 spaces per unit. While primarily a residential zone, limited commercial-style uses such as medical offices permitted on transitional sites must provide parking at a ratio of one space per 150 square feet for the first 5,000 square feet of the building.
Residential Parking Requirements
Residential parking in the R-6 district is determined by the specific type of housing and its location relative to cul-de-sacs or transit infrastructure. All required parking for residential uses in Arlington County R districts must be provided on the same lot as the use or on common areas within the same subdivision [Section 14.3.3.A].
Standard and Accessory Dwelling Ratios
For standard one-family dwellings and those with accessory units in Arlington County, the following ratios apply:
| Residential Use Type | Minimum Parking Requirement | Additional Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| One-family Dwelling (Standard) | 1 space per dwelling unit | If fronting on a cul-de-sac, 2 spaces are required [Section 14.3.7]. |
| Accessory Dwelling (ADU) | Varies by existing parking | If no parking exists, 1 space must be created (unless the block is <65% parked). If 1-2 spaces exist, they must be maintained. If >2 exist, at least 2 must be maintained [Section 14.3.7]. |
Expanded Housing Option (EHO) Ratios
Under Section 10.4, the R-6 district allows for Expanded Housing Option developments (such as duplexes or small multi-family projects). These have specific transit-oriented parking requirements [Section 10.4.6.A]:
| EHO Project Location | Minimum Parking Requirement |
|---|---|
| Within 3/4 mile of a Metrorail station entrance | 0.5 spaces per dwelling unit |
| Within 1/2 mile of a Premium Transit Network stop | 0.5 spaces per dwelling unit |
| All other R-6 locations | 1 space per dwelling unit |
| Any EHO site fronting on a cul-de-sac | 1 space per dwelling unit (minimum) |
Commercial and Institutional Parking Requirements
The R-6 district is intended for one-family dwellings, but Arlington County permits certain non-residential or "commercial" uses under specific conditions (such as medical offices on transitional sites).
| Non-Residential Use Type | Minimum Parking Requirement |
|---|---|
| Offices/Clinics (Medical or Dental) | 1 space per 150 sq. ft. for the first 5,000 sq. ft. in each building [Section 14.3.7]. |
| Religious Institutions | 1 space per every 5 sanctuary seats [Section 14.3.7]. |
| Schools (Elementary and Middle) | 1 per 7.5 students (for employee parking) PLUS 1 per 40 students (for visitor parking) [Section 14.3.7]. |
| Family Day Care (6+ children) | 1 space (not in addition to existing off-street parking) [Section 14.3.7]. |
Note on Reductions: For medical offices in the R-6 district, the Arlington County Board may reduce the required parking by up to 10% through the use permit process [Section 5.6.5.A].
Design and Dimensional Standards
Arlington County mandates specific dimensions and location standards for all R-6 parking areas to ensure safety and neighborhood compatibility.
Parking Space Dimensions
Parking spaces must meet the following minimum dimensions based on the angle of the stall [Section 14.3.3.C.1]:
| Stall Type | Angle | Stall Width | Stall Depth | Aisle Width (One-Way) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full Size | 90° | 8.5 feet | 18.0 feet | 23.0 feet |
| Full Size | 45° | 8.5 feet | 17.5 feet | 12.0 feet |
| Compact | 90° | 8.0 feet | 15.0 feet | 21.0 feet |
| Parallel | 0° | 8.0 feet | 22.0 feet | 12.0 feet |
Placement and Encroachments
- Setbacks: For residential uses (except 1- and 2-family or EHO), no parking or required curb/wall may encroach on the exterior 10 feet of a setback area. This area must be landscaped and maintained [Section 14.3.3.E].
- Driveway Encroachment: For one-family dwellings and EHO projects in the R-6 district, parking spaces may encroach on the exterior 10 feet of a setback if located on a driveway with an approved curb cut, provided the vehicles do not overhang into the public right-of-way [Section 14.3.3.I.1].
- Maneuvering: Street rights-of-way may not be used for maneuvering or direct ingress/egress to off-street parking spaces for any use in R districts, except for one- and two-family dwellings [Section 14.3.3.H.1].
Sections Cited
- §5.6 R-6, One-Family Dwelling District
- §10.4 Expanded Housing Option Development
- §12.3 Residential Use Standards
- §12.8 Transitional Use Standards
- §14.3 Parking and Loading