Regulation of Retail and Medical Sales in Arlington County
The Arlington County Zoning Ordinance does not explicitly mention "cannabis dispensaries" or "marijuana delivery services." However, the Arlington County Zoning Administrator is authorized to categorize unlisted uses under existing classifications such as "Drug store," "Retail Sales," or "Micro-fulfillment center," which are primarily permitted in Commercial/Mixed Use (C) and Industrial (M) districts [Section 12.2.2]. Most retail sales and pharmaceutical uses are permitted by-right in Arlington County's commercial corridors, subject to standard parking ratios of one space per 250 square feet of ground floor area [Section 14.3.7].
Use Interpretation for Unlisted Categories
Arlington County employs a systematic basis for assigning land uses. If a specific use type, such as a cannabis dispensary, is not listed in the use tables, the Arlington County Zoning Administrator has the authority to make a "Similar use interpretation" [Section 12.2.2]. This determination is based on:
- The operational characteristics and equipment required for the use.
- The frequency and nature of transactions.
- Hours of operation and vehicle trips generated.
- The impact on the surrounding Arlington County neighborhood [Section 12.2.2.A].
Zoning Districts Allowing Related Retail Uses
Because "Drug stores" and "Retail Sales" are the closest established categories for dispensing regulated products, their permissions serve as the primary guide for where such businesses may operate in Arlington County.
Commercial and Mixed-Use (C) Districts
In Arlington County, "Drug stores" and general "Retail Sales" are allowed by-right (P) or via site plan (S) in the following districts:
| District Type | Zoning District Name | Permission Level |
|---|---|---|
| Residential-Apartment | RA4.8 | Site Plan (S) |
| Mixed-Use | R-C, MU-VS, C-O, C-O-A, MU-VS | By-Right (P) / Site Plan (S) |
| Local Commercial | C-1, C-1-R, C-1-O | By-Right (P) |
| Service/General | C-2, C-3, C-R | By-Right (P) |
| Commercial Townhouse | C-TH | By-Right (P) |
[Section 7.1.2]
Industrial (M) Districts
Arlington County permits drug stores and retail sales by-right in all industrial classifications to provide for essential services in manufacturing areas.
| Zoning District Name | Description | Permission Level |
|---|---|---|
| CM | Limited Industrial District | By-Right (P) |
| M-1 | Light Industrial District | By-Right (P) |
| M-2 | Service Industrial District | By-Right (P) |
[Section 8.1.2]
Delivery and Fulfillment Services
For businesses focusing primarily on delivery rather than walk-in retail, Arlington County utilizes the "Micro-fulfillment center" category. This is defined as an establishment for the receipt, transfer, short-term storage, and dispatching of retail goods [Section 18.2].
Standards for Micro-Fulfillment in Arlington County
Delivery-based fulfillment centers must adhere to specific performance standards to minimize neighborhood impact:
- Size Limit: The facility cannot exceed 10,000 square feet [Section 12.5.30.A].
- Walk-in Requirement: At least 10% of the floor area must be designated for walk-in customers [Section 12.5.30.B.1].
- Delivery Mode: At least 10% of all deliveries to off-site customers must be conducted via bicycle or pedestrian delivery [Section 12.5.30.D.1].
- Vehicle Access: Customer entrance must extend at least 15 feet from the street [Section 12.5.30.B.2].
Technical Development Standards
Any retail or pharmaceutical facility established in Arlington County must comply with the following density and parking requirements:
| Requirement Type | Standard for Retail/Drug Store |
|---|---|
| Parking (Ground Floor) | 1 space per 250 sq. ft. |
| Parking (Other Floors) | 1 space per 300 sq. ft. |
| Loading Space (>3,000 sq. ft.) | One loading space required |
| Loading Space (>15,000 sq. ft.) | Two loading spaces required |
[Section 14.3.7, Section 14.3.8]
Sections Cited
- Section 7.1.2 (Commercial/Mixed Use Districts Principal Use Table)
- Section 8.1.2 (Industrial Districts Principal Use Table)
- Section 12.2.2 (Similar use interpretations)
- Section 12.2.5.G.2 (Retail Use Category Examples)
- Section 12.5.30 (Micro-fulfillment centers)
- Section 14.3.7 (Required parking and standing space)
- Section 14.3.8 (Off-street loading)
- Section 18.2 (General Terms Defined)