Off-Street Parking Standards for the RA6-15: Multiple-family Dwelling District in Arlington County
In the RA6-15: Multiple-family Dwelling district of Arlington County, residential parking requirements generally range from one space per unit for detached dwellings up to 1.125 spaces for the first 200 units in a multi-family project. Commercial and institutional projects within the RA6-15: Multiple-family Dwelling district typically require one space per 250 square feet of ground-floor area, although significant exemptions are available for properties located within 1,000 feet of a Metrorail station entrance.
General Residential Parking Requirements
Arlington County requires that all residential uses in the RA6-15: Multiple-family Dwelling district provide off-street parking based on the specific type of housing provided. These spaces must be provided on the same parcel of land as the use they serve or within the same subdivision [Section 14.3.3.A].
| Residential Use Type | Minimum Parking Requirement | Additional Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| One-family detached (not on cul-de-sac) | 1 per dwelling unit | Must be constructed and maintained per Section 14.3.3 [Section 14.3.7.A]. |
| One-family detached (fronting on cul-de-sac) | 2 per dwelling unit | Must be improved per Section 14.3.4.A [Section 14.3.7.A]. |
| Multiple-family dwellings | 1 & 1/8 (1.125) per unit for the first 200 units; 1 per unit thereafter | Plus 1 for each additional dwelling unit [Section 14.3.7.A]. |
| Townhouses and stacked one-family units | 2 per dwelling unit | Plus 1/5 (0.2) additional visitor spaces per unit [Section 14.3.7.A]. |
| Group homes | 1 per 5 beds | For those licensed under the Code of Virginia [Section 14.3.7.A]. |
Commercial and Service Use Parking Requirements
The RA6-15: Multiple-family Dwelling district allows for specific non-residential uses, such as medical offices, clinics, and neighborhood-serving retail, particularly when these are part of a larger multi-family development or located in existing structures [Section 6.1.2]. Arlington County mandates the following ratios for such uses:
| Commercial/Service Use Type | Minimum Parking Requirement | Location/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Retail and service commercial uses | 1 per 250 sq. ft. of floor area | Requirement applies to the first floor [Section 14.3.7.A]. |
| Retail and service commercial uses | 1 per 300 sq. ft. of floor area | Requirement applies to floor area above the first floor [Section 14.3.7.A]. |
| Offices or clinics (medical or dental) | 1 per 150 sq. ft. | For the first 5,000 sq. ft. in each building [Section 14.3.7.A]. |
| Offices or clinics (medical or dental) | 1 per 200 sq. ft. | For the next 10,000 sq. ft. of area [Section 14.3.7.A]. |
| Other office buildings | 1 per 250 sq. ft. | Requirement for floor area on the first floor [Section 14.3.7.A]. |
| Hospitals | 1 per 4 beds | Plus 1 space for each 2 employees and 1 per doctor [Section 14.3.7.A]. |
Reductions and Exemptions in Metro Station Areas
To promote pedestrian-oriented development, Arlington County provides significant parking relief for certain uses within the RA6-15: Multiple-family Dwelling district when the project is located within 1,000 feet of a Metrorail station entrance.
Under Section 14.3.6.A, no parking is required for the following uses in these proximity zones:
- Retail and service-commercial uses: The first 5,000 square feet of floor area per main building is exempt, provided the use is not a high-intensity type like a funeral home or vehicle service establishment [Section 14.3.6.A.2].
- Restaurants: Arlington County exempts restaurants operating only between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. from all parking requirements. For those operating in the evening, the first 200 seats are exempt from parking calculations [Section 14.3.6.A.1].
- Grocery Stores: The first 15,000 square feet of a grocery store is exempt if it is not the principal use on the site [Section 14.3.6.A.3].
Specific Site Standards for RA6-15
Arlington County regulates the placement and design of parking to protect the residential character of the RA6-15: Multiple-family Dwelling district.
Setback Encroachments
In the RA6-15: Multiple-family Dwelling district, no parking or required walls/curbs may encroach upon the exterior 10 feet of a required setback area. This 10-foot strip must be landscaped and maintained at all times [Section 14.3.3.E].
Compact Car Allowance
For office projects within the RA6-15: Multiple-family Dwelling district that contain more than 100 spaces, up to 15 percent of the total parking requirement may be met using compact car spaces. These spaces must be grouped and clearly marked [Section 14.3.3.F].
Shared and Private Parking
No parking spaces located in a private parking area within the RA6-15: Multiple-family Dwelling district may be used by anyone other than the occupants, visitors, or employees of the site, unless a specific use permit has been granted by the Arlington County Board [Section 14.3.3.G.1].
Sections Cited
- Section 6.1.2 (Multiple-family (RA) Districts Principal Use Table)
- Section 6.5 (RA6-15, Multiple-family Dwelling District)
- Section 12.3.4 (Townhouse, semidetached and existing one-family)
- Section 14.3.3 (General requirements for parking)
- Section 14.3.6 (Parking in Metro station areas)
- Section 14.3.7 (Required parking and standing space)