Professional Office and Medical Clinic Zoning in Arlington County
Arlington County permits professional offices and medical clinics by-right in nearly all Commercial (C), Mixed-Use (C-O), and Industrial (M) districts. In Residential (R) and Residential Apartment (RA) districts, these uses generally require a special exception use permit and are subject to strict standards regarding building appearance and site size, such as a 50,000 sq. ft. minimum for existing institutional structures.
Office and Medical Clinic Permissions by District
The Arlington County Zoning Ordinance categorizes these uses under "Retail, Service and Commercial Use Categories." The following table outlines where professional offices and medical/dental clinics are allowed throughout Arlington County.
| Zoning District Category | District Names | Professional/Business Office Permission | Medical/Dental Clinic Permission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential (R) | R-20, R-10, R-10T, R-8, R-6, R-5, R15-30T, R2-7 | Use Permit (U) | Use Permit (U) |
| Residential Apartment (RA) | RA14-26, RA8-18, RA7-16, RA6-15 | Use Permit (U) | Use Permit (U) |
| Commercial/Mixed Use (C) | MU-VS, C-1-O, C-O-1.0, C-O-1.5, C-O-2.5, C-O, C-O-A, C-O Rosslyn, C-O Crystal City, C-2, C-TH, C-3, C-R | By-Right (P) | By-Right (P) |
| Limited Commercial | RA4.8, R-C, RA-H, RA-H-3.2, C-1 | Use Permit (U) / Site Plan (S) | Use Permit (U) |
| Industrial (M) | CM, M-1, M-2 | By-Right (P) | By-Right (P) |
| Public (P) | P-S (Public Service District) | By-Right (P) (Local Gov only) | Not Allowed |
| Form Based Code | CP-FBC (Columbia Pike) | By-Right (P) | By-Right (P) |
[Section 4.1.2, Section 5.1.2, Section 6.1.2, Section 7.1.2, Section 8.1.2, Section 11.1.5]
Specific Use Standards for Medical and Dental Offices
Arlington County imposes specific requirements for medical and dental offices when they are located in districts not primarily intended for commercial use to ensure they remain compatible with the surrounding neighborhood.
Use of Existing Institutional Structures
In Arlington County residential and apartment districts (specifically R-6, R-5, R15-30T, R-7, RA, RA4.8, R-C, RA-H, RA-H-3.2, and CP-FBC), medical and dental offices may be permitted in existing institutional structures converted to such use via a use permit, provided they meet the following criteria:
- Minimum Site Area: The site must have a minimum area of 50,000 square feet [Section 12.5.16.A.1(a)].
- Location: The facility must be located on a primary or secondary arterial thoroughfare [Section 12.5.16.A.1(b)].
- Compatibility: The reuse must not conflict with other uses in the district and should cause no greater adverse effect than the previous institutional use [Section 12.5.16.A.2].
Residential Appearance Requirements
In Arlington County RA, RA4.8, R-C, RA-H, and RA-H-3.2 districts, medical and dental clinics may be located in existing or new buildings, but the structure must maintain the exterior appearance of a residential building [Section 12.5.16.B-C].
Site Development and Parking Standards
Professional offices and medical clinics in Arlington County must adhere to specific off-street parking requirements based on their size and the district in which they are located.
| Use Type | Parking Requirement (Spaces) | Additional Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Medical/Dental Offices | 1 per 150 sq. ft. (first 5,000 sq. ft.) | Plus 1 per 200 sq. ft. for next 10,000 sq. ft. |
| 1 per 250 sq. ft. (area over 15,000 sq. ft.) | ||
| Other Office Buildings | 1 per 250 sq. ft. | For floor area on the first floor |
| 1 per 300 sq. ft. | For area in basement or 2nd-5th floors | |
| 1 per 400 sq. ft. | For area above the 5th floor |
[Section 14.3.7]
Transitional Sites
In Arlington County, medical offices may be allowed on transitional sites that abut C-2, CM, or M districts. These developments are judged on their compatibility with existing and anticipated uses in the general neighborhood and must have the appearance of an apartment building permitted in that district [Section 12.8.4].
Sections Cited
- §4.1.2 Public (P) Districts Principal Use Table
- §5.1.2 Residential (R) Districts Principal Use Table
- §6.1.2 Multiple-family (RA) Districts Principal Use Table
- §7.1.2 Commercial/Mixed Use (C) Districts Principal Use Table
- §8.1.2 Industrial (M) Districts Principal Use Table
- §11.1.5 Columbia Pike Form Based Code District Principal Use Table
- §12.5.16 Offices or clinics, medical or dental
- §12.8.4 Offices or clinics, medical or dental on transitional sites abutting C-2, CM or M districts
- §14.3.7 Required parking and standing space