Zoning Guide for the C-3: General Commercial District in Arlington County
The C-3: General Commercial District in Arlington County is designed for high-intensity retail development, allowing for significantly greater height and density than the C-1 and C-2 districts. While primarily serving as a hub for regional retail, restaurants, and offices, the C-3 District also permits one-family detached dwellings by-right and allows for various public and institutional uses. For most commercial developments in this district, the maximum building height is set at 75 feet, though additional height may be granted through special site plan approvals [Section 7.19.1, Section 7.19.5].
Overview of the C-3 General Commercial District
The primary purpose of the C-3: General Commercial District is to accommodate the broad category of retail uses found in lower-intensity commercial zones but with increased scale to support regional commercial activity in Arlington County [Section 7.19.1]. Development in the C-3 District is often subject to additional regulations if located within specific planning areas, such as the Clarendon Revitalization District or the Columbia Pike Special Revitalization District [Section 7.19.3, Section 7.19.4].
Allowed and Prohibited Uses
Arlington County utilizes a principal use table to designate permissions. A "P" indicates the use is permitted by-right, while "U", "S", or "C" indicate requirements for Use Permits or Site Plan approvals. A blank cell indicates the use is prohibited [Section 7.1.2].
Residential Uses
While the C-3 District is commercially focused, certain residential and group living arrangements are permitted.
| Use Type | Permission Status |
|---|---|
| One-family detached | Permitted by-right (P) |
| Recovery residence | Permitted by-right (P) |
| Assisted living facilities | Site plan approval required (S) |
| Nursing homes | Site plan approval required (S) |
| Continuing care retirement communities | Site plan approval required (S) |
| Dormitories, Fraternities, and Sororities | Use permit approval required (U) |
| Group homes | Use permit approval required (U) |
| Duplexes and Semidetached | Prohibited (Blank) |
| Multiple-family | Prohibited (Blank)* |
*Note: Multiple-family units may be allowed as part of a Unified Commercial/Mixed Use Development subject to specific criteria [Section 10.2.3].
Public, Civic, and Institutional Uses
The Arlington County C-3 District allows for a variety of community-oriented facilities, most of which require special oversight.
| Use Type | Permission Status |
|---|---|
| Fire and police stations | Permitted by-right (P) |
| Churches, mosques, synagogues, and temples | Permitted by-right (P) |
| Schools (Elementary, Middle, and High) | Use permit approval required (U) |
| Colleges and universities | Use permit approval required (U) |
| Hospitals | Use permit approval required (U) |
| Libraries, Museums, and Art Galleries | Use permit approval required (U) |
| Community centers and Recreation centers | Use permit approval required (U) |
| Day care centers | Use permit approval required (U) |
Commercial and Retail Uses
The C-3 District serves as a primary retail destination in Arlington County.
| Use Type | Permission Status |
|---|---|
| Restaurants and Bakeries | Permitted by-right (P) |
| Retail sales (Drug stores, Florists, Grocery, etc.) | Permitted by-right (P) |
| Hotels and Motels | Permitted by-right (P) |
| Offices (General, Medical, or Dental) | Permitted by-right (P) |
| Movie theaters | Permitted by-right (P) |
| Banks and Financial services | Permitted by-right (P) |
| Artisan beverage and workshops | Permitted by-right (P) |
| Outdoor swimming pools (Commercial) | Site plan and use permit required (C) |
| Animal boarding | Permitted by-right (P) |
| Animal shelter | Prohibited (Blank) |
Industrial and Other Uses
Selected light industrial activities are permitted in the C-3 District to support the commercial core.
| Use Type | Permission Status |
|---|---|
| Printing, publishing, and lithography | Permitted by-right (P) |
| Sign making shops | Permitted by-right (P) |
| Wholesale trade (excluding storage) | Permitted by-right (P) |
| Building, heating, or electrical contractors | Permitted by-right (P) |
| Recycling centers and Solid waste transfer | Use permit approval required (U) |
| Heavy Industrial (Foundry, Asphalt, etc.) | Prohibited (Blank) |
Density and Dimensional Standards
Development in the C-3: General Commercial District must comply with specific standards regarding lot size and building dimensions.
| Type of Standard | One-Family Dwellings | Hotel | All Other Uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lot area, minimum | 6,000 sq. ft. | N/A | N/A |
| Lot width, minimum | 60 feet | N/A | N/A |
| Height, maximum | 35 feet | 75 feet | 75 feet |
| Floor area ratio (FAR) | N/A | N/A | Variable* |
*Maximum floor area in the C-3 District is determined by compliance with ordinance requirements, assuming no less than nine feet between floors [Section 7.19.5.B].
Site Development Standards
Arlington County imposes specific site requirements for new developments or redevelopments within the C-3 District.
- Landscaping: A minimum of 10 percent of the total site area must be designated as landscaped open space [Section 7.19.6.A].
- Utilities: All utility service on a lot where new development or redevelopment occurs must be placed underground [Section 7.19.7].
- Parking: Automobile parking must be provided in accordance with Article 14. For general retail and service commercial uses, the requirement is typically one space per 250 square feet of floor area on the first floor [Section 14.3.7.A].
Sections Cited
- Section 7.1: Commercial/Mixed Use (C) Districts Use Tables
- Section 7.19: C-3, General Commercial District
- Section 9.2: Clarendon Revitalization District
- Section 10.2: Unified Commercial/Mixed Use Development
- Section 11.1: CP-FBC, Columbia Pike Form Based Code District
- Section 14.3: Parking and Loading