Permitted and Prohibited Uses in the R-C District of Arlington County
In the R-C: Multiple-family Dwelling and Commercial District of Arlington County, high-medium density residential and mixed-use development is prioritized within a 1/4 to 1/2 mile radius of Metrorail station entrances. While one-family detached dwellings and certain artisan or religious uses are permitted by-right, the majority of high-density residential and commercial activities require specialized site plan or use permit approvals. Retail and service commercial uses in this district are strictly limited to the first floor of structures to maintain a pedestrian-oriented transit environment [§7.3.1, §7.3.4].
Permitted Uses (By-Right)
The following uses are permitted "by-right" in the R-C district of Arlington County, meaning they may be approved administratively if they meet standard requirements:
- Residential: One-family detached dwellings; recovery residences with eight or fewer residents [§12.2.3.A, §12.3.9].
- Civic/Institutional: Churches, mosques, synagogues, and temples [§12.2.4.H].
- Commercial/Mixed-Use: Artisan workshops; animal boarding (conducted wholly within an enclosed building) [§12.2.5, §12.5.2].
- Utilities: All "minor" utilities (e.g., wastewater pump stations, water pump stations) [§12.2.4.K].
- Agricultural: All agricultural uses (with specific livestock setbacks) [§12.2.7.A, §12.7.1].
- Telecommunications: Small cell or micro-wireless facilities; telecommunications facilities (subject to height and historic district restrictions) [§12.2.7.C, §12.7.2].
Special Exception Uses (Site Plan Approval Required)
In Arlington County’s R-C district, major developments that offer flexibility in form and density require Site Plan approval under §15.5:
- Residential: Duplexes; semidetached dwellings; multiple-family buildings; townhouses; independent living facilities; assisted living facilities; continuing care retirement communities; nursing homes [§12.2.3].
- Commercial: Restaurants; hotels or motels; movie or other theaters; indoor entertainment uses; swimming pools (commercial); animal care facilities, veterinary clinics, and animal hospitals [§12.2.5].
- Retail Sales: Bakeries; drug stores; florist or gift shops; newsstands; grocery stores; nursery/flower/plant stores; micro-fulfillment centers; upholstery shops; shoe repair; tailors and milliners; and all other retail repair and sales uses [§12.2.5.G].
- Civic: Hospitals; urban agriculture; urban colleges and universities [§12.2.4].
- Personal Services: Barbershops or beauty parlors; branch banks; photocopy, blueprint, and quick-sign services; private postal services; and general retail personal services [§12.2.5.G.2(b)].
Special Exception Uses (Use Permit Required)
The following uses require a public hearing and a use permit approved by the County Board under §15.4:
- Residential: Recovery residences with more than eight residents [§12.3.9].
- Civic/Institutional: Colleges and universities; child care centers and all other day care uses; bus, trolley, air, boat, and rail passenger terminals; social service institutions [§12.2.4].
- Utilities: All "major" utilities (e.g., electrical generating plants, wastewater treatment plants); bus shelters and bike share stations [§12.2.4.K].
- Commercial: Kiosks; open-air markets; athletic or health clubs; dance studios; dry-cleaning, laundry, and laundromats; mortuaries and funeral homes; pawnshops [§12.2.5, §12.5].
- Industrial/Waste: Recycling centers; solid waste transfer facilities [§12.2.6.E].
- Parking: Publicly-owned parking areas [§12.4.3].
Prohibited Uses
Any use not specifically marked with a "P" (By-Right), "U" (Use Permit), or "S" (Site Plan) in the Arlington County Use Tables is prohibited in the R-C district. Notable prohibited uses include:
- Correctional Facilities: Detention or correctional facilities [§4.1.2].
- Industrial: Building/heating/plumbing contractors; carpet and rug cleaning; sign making; foundries; plumbing or sheet metal shops; stone monument works; manufacturing and production uses; and heavy industrial uses [§12.2.6].
- Warehousing: All warehouse and freight movement uses; wholesale trade uses (except where specifically defined as retail) [§12.2.6].
- Vehicle Services: Car washes; vehicle body shops [§12.2.5.I].
- Large-Format Retail: Retail establishments occupying 50,000 square feet or more on one level or requiring 200+ parking spaces for one use [§18.2].
R-C District Technical Standards
Development in the R-C district of Arlington County must adhere to the following density and dimensional requirements:
| Type of Standard | One-family Dwelling | Two-family / Multiple-family / Townhouse | All Other Uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Min. Lot Area (sq. ft.) | 6,000 | 7,000 (Two-family) / 7,500 (Multiple) | 5,000 |
| Min. Lot Width (avg. ft.) | 60 | 35 (Semi-detached) / 70 (Duplex) / 75 (Multiple) | 50 |
| Max. Height (ft.) | 35 | 35 (By-right) / 60 (Large-scale Housing Site Plan) | 35 |
| Max. Height (stories) | -- | 3.5 | -- |
| Max. Floor Area Ratio | -- | 3.24 (Site Plan max for Multiple-family/Mixed) | -- |
| Min. Open Space | -- | 10% of total site area | 10% |
Parking Requirements
Required off-street parking for R-C district uses is calculated as follows:
| Use Type | Minimum Requirement |
|---|---|
| Commercial or Office Space | 1 space per 580 sq. ft. [§7.3.4.E] |
| Multiple-family Dwelling | 1.125 spaces for first 200 units; 1 per unit thereafter [§14.3.7] |
| Restaurants (6pm - 6am) | Required for seats in excess of 200 [§14.3.6.A] |
Sections Cited
- Article 7. Commercial/ Mixed Use (C) Districts
- §7.1. Commercial/Mixed Use (C) Districts Use Tables
- §7.3. R-C, Multiple-family Dwelling and Commercial District
- Article 12. Use Standards
- §12.2. Use Categories
- §12.3. Residential Use Standards
- §12.4. Public and Civic Use Standards
- §12.5. Commercial/Mixed Use Standards
- §12.7. Other Use Standards
- Article 14. Site Development Standards
- §14.3. Parking and Loading
- Article 18. Definitions