Automotive Service and Fueling Station Zoning in the City of Arlington

In the City of Arlington, automotive services and fueling facilities are primarily permitted in commercial and industrial districts, specifically the Community Commercial (CC), General Commercial (GC), Highway Commercial (HC), and Light Industrial (LI) districts. Technical requirements include a 200-foot distance threshold for by-right use in the Light Industrial (LI) district and specific prohibitions against major repair activities like bodywork within the Entertainment District Overlay (EDO).

Permitted Zoning Districts for Automotive Uses

The City of Arlington Unified Development Code categorizes automotive businesses into three primary types: Auto Service Centers (minor repairs), Auto Repair Garages, Major (includes body shops and heavy repairs), and Motor Vehicle Fueling Facilities (gas stations).

Use Type	CC	GC	HC	BP	FH	LI	IM
Auto Service Center	P*	P*	P*	P	P*	P*
Auto Repair Garage, Major		S*	S*		P*	P*
Motor Vehicle Fueling Facility	P	P	P		S	P	P

Key for Table: P = Permitted by Right; S = Specific Use Permit; Blank = Prohibited; * = Supplemental Use Standards apply. [Table 3.1-2]

Auto Service Centers and Major Repair Garages

In the City of Arlington, an "Auto Service Center" is defined as a facility for minor repairs such as oil changes, tire services, and the replacement of parts for vehicles under 10,000 pounds [Section 12.3.3.C.1]. Conversely, an "Auto Repair Garage, Major" handles heavy reconditioning, engine overhauls, and collision services including bodywork and painting [Section 12.3.3.C.2].

Supplemental Standards for Repair Shops

Automotive repair facilities within the City of Arlington must adhere to the following operational and design standards:

Operational Restrictions: In the GC, HC, and LI districts, Auto Service Centers are strictly prohibited from performing spray painting, bodywork, dismantling, or remanufacturing of vehicles [Section 3.2.3.B.1.a].
Location of Activity: All repair and installation work must be conducted entirely within an enclosed building. Outside storage or display of products is prohibited [Section 3.2.3.B.1.a].
Service Bay Orientation: In the Highway Commercial (HC) and General Commercial (GC) districts, service bays are not permitted to face a public street. If service bays face a residential zoning district, they must be screened using Level 3 screening and buffering standards [Section 3.2.3.B.1.b-c].
Light Industrial (LI) Distance Requirements: New automotive repair uses in the Light Industrial (LI) district are permitted by right only if they are located 200 feet or more from the right-of-way line of any street. If located within 200 feet of a street right-of-way, a Specific Use Permit (SUP) is required [Section 3.2.3.B.1.d].

Motor Vehicle Fueling Facilities (Gas Stations)

A "Motor Vehicle Fueling Facility" in the City of Arlington is a facility where the primary use is the retail sale of gasoline, electricity, or other fuels, typically associated with a convenience store or grocery store [Section 12.3.3.C.4].

Stacking Requirements

The City of Arlington requires specific vehicle stacking spaces for fueling facilities to ensure traffic does not spill over into public rights-of-way.

Activity	Minimum Stacking Spaces (per lane)	Measured From
Fuel or Gasoline Pump Island	2	Pump Island

[Table 5.4-3]

Off-Street Parking Requirements

The City of Arlington Unified Development Code establishes specific parking ratios for automotive-related businesses to ensure adequate on-site capacity.

Use Type	Parking Requirement
Auto Service Center	2 per 1,000 square feet of Gross Floor Area (GFA)
Auto Repair Garage, Major	2 per 1,000 square feet of GFA
Fueling Facility / Car Wash	2 spaces plus any required stacking spaces

[Table 5.4-1]

Specific Area Prohibitions

The City of Arlington has established several locations where automotive repair and fueling uses are restricted or prohibited:

Entertainment District Overlay (EDO): Auto service centers and major auto repair garages are expressly prohibited throughout the entire EDO [Section 5.8.1.B.2.f-g].
Interstate 20 Corridor: Within the area bounded by Cooper Street, Arbrook Boulevard, State Highway 360, and Bardin Road, "Motor Vehicle Sales, Used" is prohibited, though repair facilities may be permitted subject to their base district rules [Section 3.2.3.B.5].
Downtown Business (DB): Automotive repair and fueling uses are generally prohibited in the DB district to promote a pedestrian-friendly environment [Table 3.1-2].

Sections Cited

Section 3.1.5, Table of Allowed Uses – Non-Residential and Mixed-Use Districts
Section 3.2.3.B, Auto Sales, Equipment, and Repair
Section 3.2.3.C, Financial Services (Stacking)
Section 5.4.3, Off-Street Parking Standards
Section 5.4.6, Drive-Through Vehicle Stacking and Noise Reduction Standards
Section 5.8.1.B, EDO Land Uses
Section 12.3.3.C, Auto Sales, Equipment, and Repair (Definitions)