Setback and Placement Standards for the CP-FBC: Columbia Pike Form Based Code District
In the CP-FBC: Columbia Pike Form Based Code district in Arlington County, building placement and setbacks are primarily governed by the specific requirements of Appendix A of the Arlington County Zoning Ordinance, which typically utilizes "build-to lines" instead of traditional setbacks to foster a vital, pedestrian-oriented main street environment [§11.1.1, §11.1.3]. For properties that have not yet been redeveloped under the Form Based Code, the Arlington County regulations require adherence to the "underlying" district standards or the general commercial placement rules, which specify a front setback of 40 feet from the street centerline and generally require no side or rear yards unless the site abuts a residential district [§1.7.1, §3.2.6.A.1, §11.1.4].
Primary Regulatory Framework
The Arlington County Zoning Ordinance establishes the CP-FBC: Columbia Pike Form Based Code district as a special purpose district. Its dimensional standards are divided into two distinct regulatory paths:
- Form Based Code Development: Development that opts into the Form Based Code is governed by the requirements found in Appendix A of the zoning ordinance. This path emphasizes physical form and uses "build-to lines" to establish building placement directly at or near the back of the sidewalk [§3.1.2, §11.1.3].
- Underlying District Standards: Properties within the Columbia Pike Special Revitalization District that have not yet redeveloped under the Form Based Code are governed by the regulations of their underlying zoning district (such as C-2, RA8-18, or S-3A) and the general standards in Article 3 [§11.1.2, §11.1.4.A.1].
Default Street (Front) Setbacks
Because Arlington County classifies the CP-FBC: Columbia Pike Form Based Code district as a Commercial/Mixed-use (C) district, specific default setbacks apply under Article 3 when not otherwise modified by a site plan or the specific Form Based Code [§1.7.1].
| Location/Condition | Required Minimum Setback |
|---|---|
| General Street Setback | 40 feet from the centerline of any street [§3.2.6.A.1(a)] |
| Build-to Line (FBC Path) | A line established along the street frontage, defined by the block face in Appendix A [§3.1.2] |
| One-Family Dwellings | No less than 25 feet from any street right-of-way line [§3.2.6.A.1(e)] |
Side and Rear Yard Requirements
In the CP-FBC: Columbia Pike Form Based Code district, side and rear yard requirements depend heavily on the nature of the adjacent properties in Arlington County.
| Condition | Required Side/Rear Yard |
|---|---|
| Standard Commercial Use | No side or rear yard is required [§3.2.6.A.2(a)] |
| Abutting an R or RA District | 8 feet for the first 10 feet of building height, plus 2 additional feet for every 10 feet of additional height [§3.2.6.A.2(a)] |
| Walls with Windows/Openings | 8 feet for the first 10 feet of building height, plus 2 additional feet for every 10 feet of additional height [§3.2.6.A.2(a)] |
| Accessory Buildings (R Districts) | Must be at least 8 feet from the main building and vary based on height and lot type [§3.2.6.A.2(c)] |
Important Definitions
- Build-to Line: A line established along a street frontage, extending the full width of the lot, that defines the block face and establishes mandatory building placement. It may be located exactly on or set back from the right-of-way line [§3.1.2].
- Setback: The distance which a building is required to be "set back" from a lot line or from the nearest building or structure [§3.1.9].
- Abutting: To physically touch or border upon; or to share a common property line or border. This definition does not include lots on the opposite side of a street [§18.2].
Sections Cited
- §1.7.1 General Districts
- §3.1.2 Build-to Line
- §3.1.9 Setbacks and Yards
- §3.2.6 Placement
- §11.1 CP-FBC, Columbia Pike Form Based Code District
- §18.2 General Terms Defined