BP: Business Park District Setback Standards for the City of Arlington
Developments within the City of Arlington BP: Business Park district are required to maintain a minimum street setback of 10 feet, which increases to 20 feet for properties along freeways or frontage roads. While interior side and rear setbacks are generally not required (0 feet), the City of Arlington mandates a 25-foot setback for any side or rear boundary adjacent to a single-family residential area.
BP: Business Park District Setback Requirements
The City of Arlington establishes specific dimensional standards for the BP: Business Park district to ensure professional environments that accommodate offices, research facilities, and limited industrial activities in a landscaped setting [Section 2.3.9.A]. The following table outlines the minimum setbacks required for all primary structures within this district:
| Setback Type | Minimum Requirement |
|---|---|
| Street Frontage: Freeway or Frontage Road | 20 feet |
| Street Frontage: All Other Streets | 10 feet |
| Interior: Side and/or Rear | 0 feet |
| Interior: Adjacent to Single-Family (Side and/or Rear) | 25 feet |
[Section 2.3.9.D]
General Measurement Standards and Projections
The City of Arlington provides comprehensive rules for how these setbacks are calculated and what may occupy the resulting open spaces.
Setback Measurement Rules
In the BP: Business Park district, street frontage setbacks are measured from the property line. However, for streets identified on the City of Arlington Thoroughfare Development Plan (arterials and collectors), the setback is measured from the designated right-of-way line rather than the existing property line if they differ [Section 4.1.6.C].
Unobstructed Space Requirements
Generally, all required setbacks in the City of Arlington must be unoccupied and unobstructed by any building or structure from 30 inches above the finished grade upward [Section 4.1.6.F.1]. For the purposes of the BP: Business Park district, the term "building" includes gas pumps, overhead canopies, and any fences adjacent to public rights-of-way that exceed six feet in height and are substantially opaque [Section 4.1.6.F.2].
Permitted Intrusions
The City of Arlington allows certain architectural features and site improvements to project into the required setbacks of the BP: Business Park district:
- Landscaping: Any landscaping meeting city requirements is permitted within a setback [Section 4.1.6.F.3].
- Architectural Features: Cornices, eaves, sills, and similar features may project up to two feet into a required setback, provided they do not occupy more than two percent of the total setback area [Section 4.1.6.H.3].
- Patios: Uncovered paved terraces or patios that are no taller than 12 inches may project into any required setback [Section 4.1.6.H.1].
- Safety Features: Handicap ramps and required fencing are permitted within front, side, and rear setbacks [Section 4.1.6.H.5, Section 4.1.6.H.6].
Sections Cited
- Section 2.3.9, Business Park | BP
- Section 4.1.6, Setbacks