Public Hearing and Notification Requirements for Zoning Procedures in Arlington County
Arlington County requires formal public notification for all zoning amendments, variances, use permits, and site plans, primarily through the posting of at least five physical placards on and around the subject property. The Arlington County Board generally hears these cases at its first regular meeting of each month, with site plan hearings occurring within 180 days of a completed application filing. For properties within historic districts, Arlington County mandates additional notification layers, including first-class mailings to neighbors and newspaper advertisements at least 10 days before a hearing.
General Notification Requirements for Zoning Actions
According to the Arlington County Zoning Ordinance, whenever an application is filed for a zoning amendment, variance, use permit, or site plan, public notice must be provided via physical signage. These requirements ensure that the surrounding community is aware of proposed changes to land use or density within Arlington County [§15.1.3].
Physical Posting (Placards)
The primary method of notification is the placement of placards that state the designation of the property and the time and place of the scheduled public hearing.
| Posting Location | Minimum Number of Placards | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Subject Property | 1 Placard | Prior to hearing |
| Surrounding Neighborhood | 4 Placards | Prior to hearing |
Review Procedures for Zoning Amendments
Arlington County may amend the requirements and districts established in the Zoning Ordinance on its own motion or via a petition from a property owner. All such changes must be referred to the Arlington County Planning Commission for review [§15.3.1].
- Filing Deadline: Property owners must file applications for amendments in writing with the Arlington County Zoning Administrator at least 120 days before the public hearing, unless the Arlington County Board schedules an earlier date [§15.3.2].
- Concurrent Reviews: If a zoning amendment is filed alongside a site plan or a major site plan amendment, Arlington County conducts the public hearings concurrently [§15.3.2].
- Time Lapse Restrictions: If the Arlington County Board considers an application for a change of zoning for a lot, no similar application for that same lot can be considered for a period of 360 days [§15.3.3].
Use Permit and Site Plan Hearings
The Arlington County Board is the governing body responsible for the approval of use permits and site plans. These approvals are considered special exceptions to the standard zoning regulations of Arlington County [§15.4, §15.5].
Use Permit Scheduling
Public hearings for Arlington County use permits are typically held during the first regular meeting of the Arlington County Board each month. However, the Board reserves the right to establish alternative hearing times [§15.4.2].
Site Plan Scheduling
When an applicant files a completed site plan or major site plan amendment, the Arlington County Zoning Administrator must notify the applicant of the scheduled public hearing date within 180 days of the filing. Like use permits, these are generally held at the first regular Arlington County Board meeting of the month [§15.5.3].
Site Plan Amendment Classifications
Arlington County distinguishes between different types of site plan modifications, which determines the level of public review required.
| Amendment Type | Criteria Examples | Review Process |
|---|---|---|
| Major Amendment | Change in use > 5% of floor area; Height change > 12 feet; Density change > 5% | Full Arlington County Board Public Hearing [§15.5.3.A] |
| Minor Amendment | Density allocation, parking, or public improvements consistent with original plan | Arlington County Board Review (lesser requirements than Major) [§15.5.3.B] |
| Administrative Change | Minor modifications complying with the spirit of the ordinance and the Comprehensive Plan | Approved by the Arlington County Zoning Administrator [§15.5.3.C] |
Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA)
For variances and appeals of a determination made by the Arlington County Zoning Administrator, the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) has jurisdiction. The BZA is responsible for determining its own hearing dates [§15.6.2, §15.6.3].
Historic District Notification Requirements
Arlington County enforces stricter notification standards for Certificates of Appropriateness (CoA) within designated historic districts. These requirements exceed the standard placard postings used for general Arlington County zoning permits [§15.7.7].
| Notification Method | Requirement Details |
|---|---|
| Newspaper Advertisement | Published in a general circulation newspaper at least 10 days prior to the hearing |
| First-Class Mail | Sent to the property owner and owners of all abutting and opposite properties at least 10 days prior |
| Civic Association | Written notice sent to the representative neighborhood association at least seven days prior |
| Neighborhood Posting | One placard on-site and at least four in the neighborhood at least seven days prior |
Sections Cited
- §15.1.3 Advertising (public notification)
- §15.3.1 General (Map and Text Amendments)
- §15.3.2 Review procedure
- §15.3.3 Time lapse between similar applications
- §15.4.2 Application requirements (Use Permits)
- §15.5.3 Scheduling (Site Plans)
- §15.6.2 Appeals
- §15.6.3 Hearing date
- §15.7.7 Advertising (Certificate of Appropriateness)