Zoning for Bars, Taverns, and Nightclubs in Arlington County
Arlington County permits establishments such as bars, taverns, and nightclubs primarily within its Commercial/Mixed Use (C) and Industrial (M) districts. Most venues are classified under the "Artisan Beverage," "Restaurant," or "Indoor Entertainment" use categories, with permissions ranging from by-right status in core commercial zones to requiring site plan or use permit approval in high-density residential or transit-oriented areas.
Classification of Venues
The Arlington County Zoning Ordinance does not use the specific word "bar" as a primary use category, but instead classifies these venues based on their operational characteristics:
- Taverns and Pubs (Restaurants): Establishments that prepare and sell food and beverages for on-premises consumption are classified as "Restaurants" under the "Food Establishments" sub-category. This includes "hookah bars" as an allowed accessory use [§12.2.5.B].
- Brewpubs and Tasting Rooms (Artisan Beverage): Facilities that produce beer, wine, or distilled spirits for on-site consumption and retail sale are classified as "Artisan Beverage" [§12.2.5.B].
- Nightclubs and Dance Halls (Indoor Entertainment): Establishments that provide regularly scheduled entertainment-oriented activities, such as dance halls, fall under the "Indoor Entertainment" sub-category [§12.2.5.A].
- Private Clubs: "Membership clubs and lodges" are distinct entities allowed in various districts, including residential zones, via special exception [§12.2.5.A].
Allowed Districts and Permit Requirements
Permissions vary by Arlington County zoning district. A "P" indicates the use is allowed by-right, an "S" requires site plan approval, and a "U" requires a use permit.
Commercial and Industrial District Permissions
| District Name | Artisan Beverage | Restaurant | Indoor Entertainment |
|---|---|---|---|
| C-1, C-2, C-3, C-O, C-R (General Commercial) | P | P | P |
| C-1-R (Restricted Local Commercial) | P | P | — |
| C-1-O, C-O-1.0 to C-O-A (Office/Mixed Use) | P | P | P |
| MU-VS (Mixed Use Virginia Square) | P | S | S |
| RA4.8, R-C, RA-H (High-Density Residential/Hotel) | S | S | S |
| CM, M-1, M-2 (Industrial Districts) | P | P | P |
| CP-FBC (Columbia Pike Form Based Code) | P | P | U |
Establishments in the C-1-R Restricted Local Commercial District are prohibited from having "Indoor Entertainment" uses [§7.1.2].
Residential and Public District Permissions
Establishments serving alcohol are generally prohibited in Public (P) and Residential (R) districts. However, "Membership clubs and lodges" may be permitted via a Use Permit (U) in all Residential (R) and Multiple-family (RA) districts [§5.1.2, §6.1.2].
Technical Standards for Alcohol-Related Uses
Artisan Beverage Requirements
In Arlington County, any facility classified as an Artisan Beverage use must adhere to the following standards:
- Production Area: All production activities must be conducted wholly within a completely enclosed building [§12.5.31.A].
- Retail/Consumption Area: A minimum of 5% of the floor area must be dedicated to retail sales or consumption of beverages produced on-site [§12.5.31.B].
- Size Limit: The maximum gross floor area for an establishment is 20,000 square feet [§12.5.31.C].
Parking and Loading Standards
Establishments in Arlington County must provide off-street parking based on the following ratios:
| Use Type | Minimum Parking Requirement |
|---|---|
| Restaurant / Tavern | 1 space per 6 seats [§14.3.7] |
| Indoor Entertainment | 1 space per 300 sq. ft. of indoor floor area [§14.3.7] |
| Artisan Beverage | Based on the most similar listed use (typically Restaurant) [§14.3.7.B] |
Outdoor Cafés
Bars and restaurants in Arlington County may establish outdoor cafés as an accessory use.
- Private Property: Allowed within required setbacks but must not be enclosed [§12.9.15.A].
- Hours of Operation: If located in side or rear yards abutting an "R" or "RA" district, they may only operate between 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. [§12.9.15.A.5].
- Entertainment: Audio/video entertainment is prohibited in outdoor cafés that abut or are across an alley from an "R" or "RA" district [§12.9.15.A.6].
Sections Cited
- §5.1.2 Residential (R) Districts Principal Use Table
- §6.1.2 Multiple-family (RA) Districts Principal Use Table
- §7.1.2 Commercial/Mixed Use (C) Districts Principal Use Table
- §8.1.2 Industrial (M) Districts Principal Use Table
- §11.1.5 Columbia Pike Form Based Code District Principal Use Table
- §12.2.5 Retail, Service and Commercial Use Categories
- §12.5.31 Artisan Beverage Standards
- §12.9.15 Outdoor Cafés
- §14.3.7 Required Parking and Standing Space