Off-Street Parking Standards for the M-1: Light Industrial District
In the M-1: Light Industrial district of Arlington County, off-street parking requirements are determined by the specific land use rather than a flat district-wide ratio. While traditional household living is not a permitted use in this district, allowed commercial uses typically require one space per 250 to 300 square feet of floor area, and permitted group living residential uses require between 0.33 and 0.5 spaces per bed or bedroom [Section 8.1.2, Section 14.3.7].
Overview of Permitted Uses in the M-1 District
To understand parking requirements in the M-1: Light Industrial district, it is necessary to identify which residential and commercial uses are authorized by Arlington County. Traditional "Household Living" (such as single-family detached homes or apartments) is not permitted in the M-1: Light Industrial district. However, certain "Group Living" residential uses and a wide variety of commercial and industrial uses are allowed [Section 8.1.2].
Residential (Group Living) Parking Requirements
Residential projects in the M-1: Light Industrial district are limited to Group Living categories, most of which require a use permit. Arlington County mandates the following parking minimums for these specific uses:
| Use Type (Group Living) | Minimum Parking Requirement |
|---|---|
| Dormitories | 1 space per each 3 beds |
| Group Homes | Calculated based on the most similar listed use (typically 0.5 per bedroom) |
| Fraternity and Sorority Houses | 1 space per each 3 beds |
| Assisted Living Facilities | 0.5 spaces per bedroom |
| Nursing Homes | 0.5 spaces per bed |
Note: For any use not specifically listed in the schedule, the Arlington County Zoning Administrator determines the requirement based on the most similar listed use [Section 14.3.7.B].
Commercial and Retail Parking Requirements
The M-1: Light Industrial district permits various retail and service commercial activities. Arlington County calculates these requirements based on gross floor area (GFA) or capacity:
| Commercial Use Type | Minimum Parking Requirement |
|---|---|
| General Retail and Service | 1 space per 250 sq. ft. (1st floor); 1 space per 300 sq. ft. (other floors) |
| Office Buildings | 1 space per 250 sq. ft. (1st floor); 1 space per 300 sq. ft. (floors 2-5) |
| Restaurants | 1 space per 6 seats |
| Hotels or Motels | 1 space per dwelling unit or guest room |
| Vehicle Sales/Rental/Leasing | 1 customer and 1 employee space per 1,200 sq. ft. of area |
| Animal Boarding | 1 space per 250 sq. ft. (1st floor); 1 space per 300 sq. ft. (other floors) |
| Bank (with Drive-through) | 5 standing spaces for each teller or customer window |
[Section 14.3.7]
Industrial and Warehouse Parking Requirements
Given the primary nature of the M-1: Light Industrial district, projects often include warehouse or manufacturing components. Arlington County applies the following standards to these facilities:
| Industrial Use Type | Minimum Parking Requirement |
|---|---|
| Manufacturing and Warehousing | 1 space per 1,000 sq. ft. of floor area, OR 1 space for each 2 employees, whichever is greater |
| Self-Service Storage | 1 space per 3,000 sq. ft. of gross floor area |
[Section 14.3.7]
General District Parking Regulations
Arlington County enforces several administrative rules regarding the location and management of parking within the M-1: Light Industrial district:
Off-Site Parking
If the physical condition of a site in the M-1: Light Industrial district makes providing all required parking on-site difficult, the Zoning Administrator may authorize off-site parking. This is permitted if the off-site spaces are under the same ownership, located within 1/4 mile of the site, and do not create traffic or pedestrian hazards [Section 14.3.3.B.1].
Shared and Private Parking Use
In the M-1: Light Industrial district, parking spaces provided in addition to the minimum legal requirement may be used by persons other than those engaging in the primary use of the site. Furthermore, required spaces may be shared with other users provided there is no simultaneous demand for those spaces [Section 14.3.3.G].
Required Improvements and Landscaping
Every parking area in the M-1: Light Industrial district must be improved with a stable, dust-free surface approved by the Department of Environmental Services. Projects with 20 or more spaces must include a landscape plan that ensures a minimum of 25 percent of the area is covered by shrub spread at maturity [Section 14.3.4.A, Section 14.2.2].
Where a parking area in the M-1: Light Industrial district abuts a residential (R or RA) district, a landscaped strip at least five feet wide and a screening wall or fence at least six feet high must be provided to shield the residential neighbors from light and noise [Section 14.3.4.E].
Sections Cited
- Section 8.1.2 (Industrial (M) Districts Principal Use Table)
- Section 14.2.2 (Landscape plans and plant materials)
- Section 14.3.3 (General Requirements)
- Section 14.3.4 (Required improvements)
- Section 14.3.7 (Required parking and standing space)