Setback Requirements for CM: Limited Industrial District in Arlington County
In the CM: Limited Industrial District of Arlington County, buildings must be set back at least 40 feet from the centerline of any abutting street, though this distance increases if the building height exceeds 80 feet. While there are generally no side or rear yard requirements for the CM: Limited Industrial District, specific setbacks are required if a building wall contains windows or if the property directly abuts a residential district.
Street and Front Setbacks
Buildings within the CM: Limited Industrial District of Arlington County are subject to two primary rules for street setbacks. First, no structure may be located closer to the centerline of any street or officially designated street right-of-way than 50 percent of the height of the building [Section 3.2.6.A.1]. Second, the absolute minimum setback for the CM: Limited Industrial District is 40 feet from the centerline of any street [Section 3.2.6.A.1(a)]. Therefore, the required setback is 40 feet from the centerline or 50 percent of the building's height, whichever is greater.
Side and Rear Yard Requirements
Standard development in the CM: Limited Industrial District does not require side or rear yards [Section 3.2.6.A.2(a)]. However, Arlington County imposes specific setback requirements for building walls that meet certain conditions:
Buffers for Residential Districts and Openings
If a wall in the CM: Limited Industrial District contains openings or windows (regardless of whether they can be opened), or if the lot line abuts a Residential (R) or Residential Apartment (RA) district, a setback must be provided. This setback is calculated as eight feet for the first 10 feet of building height, plus an additional two feet for every 10 feet of building height (or fraction thereof) beyond the initial 10 feet [Section 3.2.6.A.2(a)].
Visual Clearance for Corner Lots
On corner lots within the CM: Limited Industrial District, a specific visual clearance must be maintained for traffic safety. No building or obstruction is permitted between the heights of one foot and 10 feet above the curb level within a triangle formed by the street right-of-way lines and a line connecting those points 10 feet from their intersection [Section 3.2.6.A.4(b)].
Technical Standards Summary Table
The following table outlines the specific placement and setback requirements for the CM: Limited Industrial District in Arlington County:
| Setback Type | CM: Limited Industrial District Requirement |
|---|---|
| Front (Street Centerline) | The greater of 40 feet or 50% of the building height |
| Side (Standard) | None required |
| Rear (Standard) | None required |
| Side/Rear (Abutting R/RA or with Windows) | 8 feet for the first 10 feet of height, + 2 feet for every additional 10 feet of height |
| Corner Visual Clearance | 10-foot unobstructed triangle at the street intersection |
| Permitted Encroachments | 18 inches for chimneys and bay/oriel windows without floor space |
Sections Cited
- §3.2.6.A.1: Setbacks from any street
- §3.2.6.A.2: Side and rear yards
- §3.2.6.A.3: Encroachments allowed into required yards and courts
- §3.2.6.A.4: Visual clearance (corners)
- §8.2.3: Density and dimensional standards (CM District)