Setback Requirements for the R-C: Multiple-family Dwelling and Commercial District
In the R-C: Multiple-family Dwelling and Commercial district in Arlington County, front setbacks are generally required to be 40 feet from the street centerline for commercial structures and the larger of 25 feet from the right-of-way or 50 feet from the centerline for residential structures. While side and rear yards are not required for most commercial uses, a formulaic setback applies to any wall containing windows or any wall abutting a residential (R) or residential apartment (RA) district, starting at a minimum of 8 feet and increasing with building height. One-family dwellings within the R-C district must maintain a 25-foot front setback from the street right-of-way line and a 10-foot side yard.
Front Setback Requirements (Required Yards from Streets)
Building placement in the R-C Multiple-family Dwelling and Commercial district is governed by the general standards of Arlington County, which differentiate between commercial and residential structure types.
| Structure Type | Minimum Front Setback Requirement |
|---|---|
| Commercial and Mixed-Use Buildings | 40 feet from the centerline of any street [§3.2.6.A.1(a)] |
| Residential Structures (excluding 1-2 family) | The larger of: 50 feet from the centerline of the street OR 25 feet from the street right-of-way line [§3.2.6.A.1(d)] |
| One-Family and Two-Family Dwellings | 25 feet from any street right-of-way line [§3.2.6.A.1(e)] |
Side and Rear Setback Requirements
Arlington County regulations for the R-C district prioritize flexibility for commercial development while protecting adjacent residential areas.
| Condition | Side/Rear Setback Requirement |
|---|---|
| Standard Commercial/Mixed-Use | No side or rear yard is required [§3.2.6.A.2(a)] |
| Walls with Windows or Openings | 8 feet for the first 10 feet of building height, plus 2 additional feet for every additional 10 feet of height [§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 additional 10 feet of height [§3.2.6.A.2(a)] |
| One-Family Dwellings (Side) | 10 feet (one side may be reduced to 8 feet; total aggregate must be 30% of lot width) [§3.2.6.A.2(b)] |
| One-Family Dwellings (Rear) | 25 feet [§3.2.6.A.2(b)] |
Specific District Use and Site Standards
The R-C Multiple-family Dwelling and Commercial district is specifically intended to encourage high-medium density residential development and mixed-use transitions near Metrorail stations in Arlington County [§7.3.1].
Building Height Considerations
Under the site plan approval process, buildings in the R-C district may be constructed up to a height of 95 feet [§7.3.4.C]. Because side and rear setbacks are tied to building height when a structure abuts a residential district or contains windows, a 95-foot building in the R-C district would require a side/rear setback of approximately 26 feet (8 feet for the first 10 feet of height, plus 18 feet for the remaining 85 feet of height) [§3.2.6.A.2(a)].
Frontage and Design Requirements
Any structure in the R-C district in which less than 50 percent of the gross floor area is dedicated to multiple-family use is required to front on a principal arterial, minor arterial, or local principal street as designated in the Arlington County Master Transportation Plan [§7.3.4.B].
Permitted Encroachments
Arlington County allows certain architectural features to project into the required setbacks in the R-C district:
- Architectural Features: Chimneys, bay windows, and oriel windows without floor space may encroach up to 18 inches into required yards [§3.2.6.A.3(a)].
- Unenclosed Features: Balconies, eaves, decks, and patios may encroach up to four feet into required yards, provided they are no closer than five feet to any property line [§3.2.6.A.3(a)].
- Porches: On interior lots, porches may encroach four feet into a required front yard, provided they are at least 21 feet from the street right-of-way line [§3.2.6.A.3(a)].
Sections Cited
- Article 3. Density and Dimensional Standards
- §3.1.9. Setbacks and yards
- §3.2. Bulk, Coverage and Placement Requirements
- §3.2.6. Placement
- Article 7. Commercial/ Mixed Use (C) Districts
- §7.3. R-C, Multiple-family Dwelling and Commercial District
- §7.3.3. Density and dimensional standards
- §7.3.4. Site plans