Off-Street Parking Standards for the CP-FBC District
Off-street parking for residential and commercial projects within the CP-FBC: Columbia Pike Form Based Code district of Arlington County is generally governed by the County’s standard parking ratios, supplemented by specific dimensional and use restrictions unique to the Columbia Pike corridor. For residential developments, requirements range from one space per unit for detached dwellings to a tiered ratio for multi-family buildings, while commercial requirements are calculated based on floor area (typically one space per 250 to 580 square feet) or seating capacity for restaurants [§14.3.7].
General Applicability and Principles
In Arlington County, the CP-FBC district is intended to foster a transit-oriented, pedestrian-friendly environment. While development in this district is governed by the Form Based Code (Appendix A of the Zoning Ordinance), the general site development standards for parking and loading found in Article 14 of the Arlington County Zoning Ordinance apply to all development unless a specific exception is granted via a site plan or use permit [§11.1.3, §14.3.1].
The primary policy of Arlington County is that every land use must provide sufficient off-street standing and parking space for all motor vehicles expected to come to the premises, including those of residents, patrons, and employees [§14.3.1].
Residential Parking Requirements
Residential projects in the CP-FBC district must provide parking based on the specific type of dwelling unit. For multi-family projects, the requirement is tiered to account for the scale of the building.
| Residential Use Type | Minimum Parking Requirement |
|---|---|
| One-family detached dwellings | 1 space per dwelling unit [§14.3.7] |
| Two-family dwellings | 1 space per dwelling unit [§14.3.7] |
| Multi-family dwellings (first 200 units) | 1.125 spaces per dwelling unit (1 & 1/8) [§14.3.7] |
| Multi-family dwellings (units over 200) | 1 space per each additional dwelling unit [§14.3.7] |
Commercial and Mixed-Use Parking Requirements
Commercial projects in the CP-FBC district are regulated by the use's location within the building (ground floor vs. upper floors) and the specific nature of the business.
| Commercial Use Type | Minimum Parking Requirement |
|---|---|
| General Retail (First Floor) | 1 space per 250 sq. ft. of gross floor area [§14.3.7] |
| General Retail (Above First Floor) | 1 space per 300 sq. ft. of gross floor area [§14.3.7] |
| Office Buildings (First Floor) | 1 space per 250 sq. ft. of gross floor area [§14.3.7] |
| Office Buildings (Floors 2-5) | 1 space per 300 sq. ft. of gross floor area [§14.3.7] |
| Office Buildings (Above 5th Floor) | 1 space per 400 sq. ft. of gross floor area [§14.3.7] |
| Restaurants | 1 space per 6 seats [§14.3.7] |
| Medical or Dental Offices | 1 space per 150 sq. ft. (for first 5,000 sq. ft.) [§14.3.7] |
Specific CP-FBC Use and Design Limitations
The Arlington County Zoning Ordinance places additional constraints on specific commercial activities and parking designs within the Columbia Pike Form Based Code district to maintain the character of the corridor:
Vehicle Sales and Leasing
Vehicle sales, rental, or leasing facilities are specifically prohibited on "Neighborhood" and "Local" sites within the CP-FBC district. On allowable sites, indoor and outdoor display areas are strictly limited to a maximum of 300 linear feet along Main Street or Avenue frontages [§12.5.29.A.2].
Drive-Through Facilities
In the CP-FBC district, any drive-through facility is limited to a maximum of two lanes. Furthermore, the ordinance prohibits drive-through access from any Main Street frontage [§12.9.7].
Outdoor Cafes and Parking Credits
Arlington County allows for some flexibility where outdoor seating is provided. Under a use permit, the County Board may allow an outdoor cafe of up to 612 square feet to occupy required off-street parking spaces if it is determined that the remaining parking is sufficient to meet the primary establishment's demand without causing traffic congestion [§12.9.15.A.10].
Dimensional and Improvement Standards
All off-street parking areas in the CP-FBC district must meet the following technical specifications:
- Standard Stall Size: 8.5 feet wide by 18 feet deep (for 90-degree parking) [§14.3.3.C.1].
- Compact Spaces: Up to 15% of the total required spaces may be designated for compact cars (8 feet wide) in lots containing more than 100 spaces [§14.3.3.F].
- Vertical Clearance: All parking spaces must maintain a minimum vertical clearance of 7 feet [§14.3.3.C.3].
- Aisle Width: Two-way aisles for 90-degree parking must be at least 23 feet wide [§14.3.3.C.1].
Sections Cited
- Section 11.1 CP-FBC, Columbia Pike Form Based Code District
- Section 12.5 Commercial/Mixed Use Standards
- Section 12.9 Accessory Use Standards
- Section 14.3 Parking and Loading
- Section 14.3.7 Required parking and standing space