Allowed and Prohibited Uses in the RM-12 Residential Medium-Density District
The RM-12: Residential Medium-Density 12 district in the City of Arlington is designed to accommodate a transition between low-density neighborhoods and higher-density multi-family areas, allowing a maximum residential density of 12 units per gross acre. This district permits various housing types, including single-family detached, duplexes, and townhouses, as well as limited institutional and utility uses, while prohibiting high-intensity commercial and industrial activities [Section 2.2.7].
Use Regulations for the RM-12 District
In the City of Arlington, land use authorizations within the RM-12: Residential Medium-Density 12 district are categorized as Permitted By-Right (P), permitted subject to Supplemental Use Standards (P*), allowed only via a Specific Use Permit (S), or allowed only through a Planned Development (PD) process [Section 3.1.2].
Allowed Residential Uses
The RM-12: Residential Medium-Density 12 district encourages a variety of housing options intended to meet the diverse needs of City of Arlington residents.
| Use Type | Authorization | Supplemental Standards |
|---|---|---|
| Dwelling, duplex | P | N/A |
| Dwelling, live/work | P* | [Section 3.2.1.A] |
| Dwelling, single-family detached | P | N/A |
| Dwelling, townhouse | P | N/A |
| Cottage Communities | PD | [Section 5.11] |
| Assisted living facility (≤6 residents) | P | N/A |
| Assisted living facility (≥7 residents) | S | N/A |
| Boarding home facility | P* | [Section 3.2.1.B] |
| Community home for disabled persons | P | N/A |
| Foster family home | P | N/A |
| Foster group home | P | N/A |
| Nursing home | P* | [Section 3.2.1.B] |
Allowed Public, Institutional, and Civic Uses
The City of Arlington allows various community-oriented services within the RM-12: Residential Medium-Density 12 district to support local neighborhoods.
| Use Type | Authorization | Supplemental Standards |
|---|---|---|
| Government administration and civic buildings | P | N/A |
| Philanthropic institution (other than listed) | S | N/A |
| Religious assembly | P | N/A |
| Public or private school | P* | [Section 3.2.2] |
| Community garden | P | N/A |
| Public park or playground | P* | [Section 3.2.2] |
Allowed Commercial and Industrial Uses
Commercial uses are highly restricted in the RM-12: Residential Medium-Density 12 district to preserve the quiet residential nature of the City of Arlington's neighborhoods.
| Use Type | Authorization | Supplemental Standards |
|---|---|---|
| Bed and breakfast inn | S* | [Section 3.2.3.E] |
| Day care center | S* | [Section 3.2.3.L] |
| Country club | S | N/A |
| Golf course | P | N/A |
| Marina | S | N/A |
| Airport or landing field | S | N/A |
| Gas well | S* | [Section 3.2.4.B] |
Allowed Utility Uses
| Use Type | Authorization | Supplemental Standards |
|---|---|---|
| Electric utility substation | P | N/A |
| Utility lines, towers or metering station | P | N/A |
| Telecommunication: Building-mounted antennae/towers | P* | [Section 3.2.4.D] |
| Telecommunication: Towers ≤75 ft / Stealth ≤100 ft | S* | [Section 3.2.4.D] |
| Telecommunication: Towers >75 ft / Stealth >100 ft | S* | [Section 3.2.4.D] |
Prohibited Uses in the RM-12 District
Any use type not explicitly listed as permitted (P), specific use (S), or planned development (PD) in the City of Arlington's use table for the RM-12: Residential Medium-Density 12 district is considered prohibited [Section 3.1.2.C]. Prohibited uses include, but are not limited to:
- Residential: Multi-family dwellings (except when part of a mixed-use development elsewhere in the Code), and HUD-Code manufactured or mobile homes [Table 3.1-1].
- Commercial: General retail stores, liquor stores, bars, restaurants, auto service centers, car washes, and professional offices (except for live/work units) [Table 3.1-1].
- Industrial: All manufacturing, salvage yards, and wholesale distribution centers [Table 3.1-1].
- Other: Halfway houses, independent senior living facilities, cemeteries, and veterinary clinics [Table 3.1-1].
Technical Standards for RM-12 Development
The City of Arlington enforces specific dimensional and parking requirements to ensure developments within the RM-12: Residential Medium-Density 12 district remain compatible with the surrounding residential scale.
Dimensional Standards
| Standard | Duplex | Townhouse | Single-Family |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max. Density | 12 units/acre | 12 units/acre | 12 units/acre |
| Min. Lot Area | 6,000 s.f. | 2,900 s.f. | 5,000 s.f. |
| Min. Lot Width | 60 ft | 20 ft | 50 ft |
| Min. Lot Depth | 100 ft | 100 ft | 100 ft |
| Max. Height | 60 ft | 75 ft | 60 ft |
| Max. Lot Coverage | 40% | 40% | 40% |
Required Setbacks
| Location | Minimum Distance (feet) |
|---|---|
| Front (Arterial or collector) | 40 ft |
| Front (Local street/private access) | 20 ft |
| Side (Interior) | 5 ft |
| Rear (Interior) | 10 ft |
| Adjacent to Single Family | 20 ft |
Off-Street Parking Requirements
| Residential Use Type | Minimum Parking Requirement |
|---|---|
| Dwelling, duplex | 2 per dwelling unit |
| Dwelling, townhouse | 2 per dwelling unit |
| Dwelling, single-family detached | 2 per dwelling unit |
| Dwelling, live/work | 1.5 per dwelling unit (plus work area calculation) |
Sections Cited
- Section 2.2.7, Residential Medium-Density | RM-12
- Section 3.1.2, Explanation of Table Abbreviations
- Section 3.1.5, Table of Allowed Uses
- Section 3.2.1.A, Dwelling, Live/Work
- Section 3.2.1.B, Group Living
- Section 3.2.2, Public and Institutional Uses
- Section 3.2.3.E, Bed and Breakfast Inn
- Section 3.2.3.L, Day Care Center
- Section 3.2.4.B, Gas Well
- Section 3.2.4.D, Wireless Communication Facilities
- Section 5.4.3, Off-Street Parking Standards
- Section 5.11, Cottage Community Design Standards