Off-Street Parking Standards for the RA7-16 Multiple-family Dwelling District
In Arlington County’s RA7-16 Multiple-family Dwelling district, residential projects must typically provide 1.125 parking spaces for each of the first 200 units and one space for every unit thereafter. Commercial components within the RA7-16 district, such as retail or office spaces, generally require one space per 250 to 300 square feet, though significant exemptions apply to projects located within 1,000 feet of a Metrorail station entrance. All off-street parking in this district must maintain a 10-foot landscaped setback from property lines and is subject to strict aggregate site coverage limits of 50 percent for non-residential uses.
Residential Parking Ratios in RA7-16
Residential developments in the Arlington County RA7-16 district are governed by the specific ratios established in the county's general parking requirements. These requirements vary based on the number of units and the specific residential use type.
| Residential Use Type | Minimum Parking Requirement | Additional Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple-family Dwellings | 1 & 1/8 (1.125) spaces for each of the first 200 units | Plus 1 space for each additional dwelling unit over 200 [§14.3.7] |
| One-family detached (not on cul-de-sac) | 1 space per dwelling unit | Must be constructed and maintained per §14.3.3 [§14.3.7] |
| One-family detached (fronting cul-de-sac) | 2 spaces per dwelling unit | Improved in accordance with §14.3.4.A [§14.3.7] |
| Low- and Moderate-Income Housing | Per §14.3 standards | Preserved units must maintain at least the number of spaces existing at time of application [§12.3.7.A.3] |
Commercial and Office Parking Ratios in RA7-16
For mixed-use projects or allowed commercial uses within the RA7-16 district, Arlington County mandates parking based on gross floor area (GFA). The requirements distinguish between ground-floor retail and space located in basements or upper stories.
| Commercial Use Type | Minimum Parking Requirement | Location Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Retail and Service Commercial | 1 space per 250 sq. ft. of GFA | First floor of a building [§14.3.7] |
| Retail and Service Commercial | 1 space per 300 sq. ft. of GFA | Located elsewhere in the building [§14.3.7] |
| General Office Buildings | 1 space per 250 sq. ft. of GFA | First floor of a building [§14.3.7] |
| General Office Buildings | 1 space per 300 sq. ft. of GFA | Basement or 2nd through 5th floors [§14.3.7] |
| General Office Buildings | 1 space per 400 sq. ft. of GFA | Floors located above the 5th floor [§14.3.7] |
Parking Exemptions in Metro Station Areas
Arlington County provides parking relief for certain uses in the RA7-16 district if the major portion of the use is located within 1,000 feet of a Metrorail station entrance. These exemptions are intended to encourage pedestrian-related commercial activity [§14.3.6.A].
- Retail and Service-Commercial: No parking is required for the first 5,000 square feet of floor area per main building.
- Restaurants:
- No parking is required for restaurants operating only between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
- Restaurants operating between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. with fewer than 200 seats are exempt from parking requirements.
- For restaurants with more than 200 seats, parking is only required for the number of seats exceeding 200 [§14.3.6.A.1].
Design and Placement Standards
Off-street parking in the RA7-16 district must comply with specific placement and screening regulations to protect the character of the Multiple-family Dwelling district.
Setback Restrictions
In the RA7-16 district, no parking area, required curb, or wall may encroach on the exterior 10 feet of a setback area. This 10-foot area must be landscaped and properly maintained at all times [§14.3.3.E].
Screening and Landscaping
Parking areas in the RA7-16 district must be screened if they are located within 50 feet of a side or rear lot line of an R or RA district. This requires a minimum five-foot-wide landscaped strip and a solid wall or fence at least six feet in height. However, the height of this wall or fence is reduced to four feet if it is located within a required setback [§14.3.4.A.1(b)(6)].
Site Coverage
For all uses in the RA7-16 district other than residential dwellings, the total amount of the site covered by buildings, parking, and maneuvering space cannot exceed 50 percent [§6.4.3.B].
Sections Cited
- §6.4.3. Density and dimensional standards
- §6.4.5. Site development standards
- §12.3.7. Low- and moderate-income housing
- §14.3.3. General requirements
- §14.3.4. Required improvements
- §14.3.6. Parking in Metro station areas
- §14.3.7. Required parking and standing space