RA14-26 Multiple-family Dwelling District: Allowed and Prohibited Uses in Arlington County
In the RA14-26 Multiple-family Dwelling District of Arlington County, residential uses such as one-family detached dwellings and townhouses are permitted by-right, while multiple-family developments and senior living facilities typically require site plan approval. Commercial and industrial activities are broadly prohibited within the RA14-26 district, though specific public, civic, and institutional uses like schools, libraries, and hospitals may be established with a use permit.
Overview of the RA14-26 District
The RA14-26 district in Arlington County is designed to provide for multiple-family dwelling development at moderate densities and, under specific conditions, higher-density redevelopment within areas designated by the General Land Use Plan [§7.2.1].
Allowed Uses in the RA14-26 District
Uses in the Arlington County RA14-26 district are categorized by how they are approved: Permitted ("P") for by-right use, Use Permit ("U") for special exceptions requiring County Board approval, and Site Plan ("S") for major developments requiring detailed review [§6.1.2].
Residential Uses
The following table outlines the residential permissions for the RA14-26 district in Arlington County.
| Specific Use Type | Permission Level | Use Standard |
|---|---|---|
| One-family detached | P | §12.3.10 |
| Duplexes | P / S | - |
| Semidetached | P / S | - |
| Multiple-family | P / S | - |
| Townhouses | P | - |
| Independent living facilities | S | §12.3.12 |
| Recovery residence | P / U | §12.3.9 |
| Assisted living facilities | S | §12.3.12 |
| Continuing care retirement communities | S | §12.3.12 |
| Nursing homes | S | §12.3.12 |
| Boarding houses and rooming houses | U | §12.3.1 |
| Dormitories | U | §12.3.3 |
| Fraternity and sorority houses | U | §12.3.5 |
| Group homes | U | §12.3.6 |
Public, Civic, and Institutional Uses
Arlington County allows several institutional uses within the RA14-26 district, most of which require a use permit to ensure compatibility with the residential character of the neighborhood.
| Specific Use Type | Permission Level | Use Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Colleges and universities | U | - |
| Community centers | U | - |
| Community swimming pool | U | §12.4.8 |
| Libraries | U | - |
| Museums and art galleries or studios | U | - |
| Recreation centers | U | §12.4.6 |
| Child care centers | U | §12.4.1 |
| Hospitals | U | §12.4.2 |
| Cemeteries | U | - |
| Country clubs and golf courses | U | - |
| Parks, playgrounds, and playfields | U | - |
| Churches, mosques, synagogues, and temples | P | - |
| Schools (Elementary, Middle, High) | U | §12.4.1 |
| All major utilities | U | §12.4.9 |
| All other minor utilities | P | §12.4.9 |
Retail, Service, and Other Uses
Commercial activity is strictly limited in the RA14-26 district of Arlington County.
| Specific Use Type | Permission Level | Use Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Membership clubs and lodges | U | §12.5.13 |
| Offices (Federal, State, and Local) | U | - |
| Offices or clinics (Medical or Dental) | U | §12.5.16 |
| Bed and breakfasts | U | §12.5.3 |
| Open-air markets | U | §12.5.17 |
| Recycling centers | U | - |
| All agricultural uses | P | §12.7.1 |
| Telecommunications facilities | P / U | §12.7.2 |
Prohibited Uses in the RA14-26 District
Arlington County explicitly prohibits several categories of use in the RA14-26 district to maintain its residential integrity. A blank cell in the principal use table indicates the use is not allowed [§6.1.2]. Prohibited uses include, but are not limited to:
- Food Establishments: All restaurants, bakeries, and catering businesses are prohibited.
- Retail Sales: General retail sales, grocery stores, drug stores, and large-format retail are not permitted (except for open-air markets with a permit).
- Vehicle Services: Car washes, body shops, vehicle sales, and service stations are prohibited.
- Industrial Categories: Light industrial services, manufacturing, heavy industry, and warehouse/freight movement are strictly disallowed.
- Commercial Parking: Commercial parking lots as a principal use are prohibited.
- Entertainment: Theaters, bowling alleys, and other commercial indoor/outdoor recreation uses are not allowed.
Density and Dimensional Standards
Development in the RA14-26 district must adhere to specific bulk and placement requirements established by Arlington County.
| Standard Type | One-family Detached | Multiple-family | Townhouse |
|---|---|---|---|
| Site area, minimum (sq. ft.) | 6,000 | 7,500 | 7,500 |
| Lot area per unit (sq. ft.) | 6,000 | 1,800 | 1,800 |
| Lot width, minimum (feet) | 60 | 75 | 75 |
| Max height (feet) | 35 | 35 | 35 |
| Max height (stories) | - | 3.5 | 3.5 |
Parking Requirements
Arlington County mandates the following minimum parking standards for the RA14-26 district.
| Use Category | Minimum Parking Requirement |
|---|---|
| One- and two-family dwellings | 1 to 2 spaces per dwelling unit (based on street type) |
| Multiple-family dwellings | 1 & 1/8 spaces for each of the first 200 units; 1 per unit thereafter |
| Hospitals / Nursing Homes | 1 per 4 beds |
| Religious Institutions | 1 per 5 sanctuary seats |
| Retail/Office (where allowed) | 1 per 250 - 580 sq. ft. of floor area |
Sections Cited
- §6.1. Multiple-family (RA) Districts Use Tables
- §6.2. RA14-26, Multiple-family Dwelling District
- §7.2.1. Purpose
- §12.3. Residential Use Standards
- §12.4. Public and Civic Use Standards
- §12.5. Commercial/Mixed Use Standards
- §12.7. Other Use Standards
- §14.3.7. Required parking and standing space