Off-Street Parking Standards for the M-2 Service Industrial District in Arlington County
In the Arlington County M-2 Service Industrial District, off-street parking requirements are determined by the specific use of the property, with general commercial retail requiring one space per 250–300 square feet of floor area and industrial warehouse uses requiring one space per 1,000 square feet. Residential uses permitted in the M-2 district are limited to group living arrangements, such as nursing homes and assisted living facilities, which require 0.5 spaces per bed or bedroom respectively. All parking in the M-2 Service Industrial District must meet specific dimensional standards, including a requirement for 23-foot aisles for 90-degree full-size parking stalls [§14.3.7, §14.3.3.C].
Use-Specific Parking Ratios in the M-2 District
In Arlington County, the M-2 Service Industrial District is designed to accommodate service industrial and heavier commercial activities. Standard "Household Living" (such as one-family detached or apartment dwellings) is not permitted by-right or by special exception in the M-2 district; however, certain "Group Living" residential-style uses are allowed via use permit [§8.1.2].
The following table outlines the specific parking requirements for the primary permitted uses in the Arlington County M-2 Service Industrial District:
| Use Category | Specific Use Type | Minimum Parking Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial | Retail and Service Commercial (General) | 1 space per 250 sq. ft. (1st floor); 1 space per 300 sq. ft. (other floors) |
| Commercial | Restaurants | 1 space per 6 seats |
| Commercial | Office Buildings (General) | 1 space per 250 sq. ft. (1st floor); 1 space per 300 sq. ft. (floors 2-5) |
| Commercial | Vehicle Sales, Rental, or Leasing | 1 customer and 1 employee space per 1,200 sq. ft. |
| Residential (Group) | Assisted Living / Independent Living | 0.5 spaces per bedroom |
| Residential (Group) | Nursing Homes | 0.5 spaces per bed |
| Residential (Group) | Dormitories / Fraternities | Interpreted by Zoning Administrator based on similar uses |
| Industrial | Warehouse, Manufacturing, and Processing | 1 per 1,000 sq. ft. OR 1 per 2 employees (whichever is greater) |
| Industrial | Self-Service Storage | 1 per 3,000 sq. ft. of gross floor area |
[§14.3.7.A]
Dimensional Standards for Parking Facilities
All off-street parking areas constructed within the M-2 Service Industrial District must comply with Arlington County's dimensional requirements to ensure safe vehicle access and maneuvering.
| Parking Angle | Stall Width (ft.) | Depth of Stalls (ft.) | One-Way Aisle Width (ft.) | Two-Way Aisle Width (ft.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 90° (Full Size) | 8.5 | 18.0 | 23.0 | 23.0 |
| 60° (Full Size) | 8.5 | 19.5 | 16.0 | Not Permitted |
| 45° (Full Size) | 8.5 | 17.5 | 12.0 | Not Permitted |
| 90° (Compact) | 8.0 | 15.0 | 21.0 | 21.0 |
| Parallel | 22.0 | 8.0 | 12.0 | 23.0 |
[§14.3.3.C.1]
Compact Car Provisions
Arlington County allows up to 15 percent of required parking spaces to be designated for compact cars. In M-2 Service Industrial District parking areas containing more than 100 spaces for office uses, up to 15 percent of the spaces may be compact. These spaces must be clearly marked as "compact cars only" [§14.3.3.F].
Location and Off-Site Parking Regulations
Arlington County requires that required off-street parking for uses in the M-2 Service Industrial District generally be located on the same parcel as the principal use [§14.3.3.A].
Off-Site Authorization
If physical site conditions make on-site parking difficult, the Zoning Administrator of Arlington County may authorize off-site parking, provided the following conditions are met:
- The off-site spaces are under the same ownership as the on-site property [§14.3.3.B.1(a)].
- The off-site location is within 1/4 mile of the shortest effective pedestrian route to the building entrance [§14.3.3.B.1(a)].
- The off-site parking does not create hazards for pedestrians or vehicular traffic congestion [§14.3.3.B.1(a)].
Use of Private Parking Areas
In the M-2 Service Industrial District, parking spaces provided in a private parking area that exceed the minimum requirements of the Arlington County Zoning Ordinance may be used by persons other than those engaging in the primary use of the premises [§14.3.3.G.3].
Required Site Improvements for M-2 Parking
Every parcel used for parking in the M-2 Service Industrial District must be improved according to strict Arlington County standards:
- Paving: Surfaces must be paved with a durable, dust-free material, such as bituminous hot mix or Portland cement concrete, and maintained at all times [§14.3.4.A].
- Lighting: Parking areas must be illuminated to an average of one footcandle during hours of darkness. All lighting must be shielded to confine rays within the property lines [§14.3.4.E, §14.4.2].
- Screening: Where an M-2 district parking area abuts an R (Residential) or RA (Residential Apartment) district, a six-foot solid wall or fence is required, set back at least 10 feet from the property line and accompanied by a five-foot wide landscaped strip [§14.3.4.D, §14.3.8.E.1].
Sections Cited
- Article 8. Industrial (M) Districts
- §8.1.2. Industrial (M) districts principal use table
- §8.4. M-2, Service Industrial District
- Article 14. Site Development Standards
- §14.3. Parking and Loading
- §14.3.3. General requirements
- §14.3.4. Required improvements
- §14.3.7. Required parking and standing space
- §14.4. Outdoor Lighting