Building Height Measurement and Regulations in the City of Arlington
The City of Arlington calculates building height as the vertical distance from the average finished grade to the highest point of the roof or the mean height between the eave and ridge, depending on the specific roof design. While most residential districts impose height limits between 40 and 75 feet, many non-residential districts in the City of Arlington have no maximum height except when located near single-family residential areas, where a one-to-one height-to-distance transition ratio is required.
General Measurement Methodology
Under the City of Arlington Unified Development Code, the method for calculating building height depends on whether the structure is a primary building or an accessory structure.
Primary Structures
For primary structures, the City of Arlington defines height as the vertical distance measured from the average elevation of the finished grade along the front of the building to a specific point on the roof [Section 4.1.7.A]:
- Flat Roofs: Measured to the highest point of the roof surface.
- Mansard Roofs: Measured to the deck line.
- Gable, Hip, or Gambrel Roofs: Measured to the mean height level between the eaves and the ridge.
Accessory Structures
The height of all accessory structures in the City of Arlington is measured as the height of the tallest wall [Section 4.1.7.B].
Height Standards by Zoning District
The City of Arlington establishes specific height maximums for residential, non-residential, and mixed-use districts. In many commercial and industrial zones, the code permits unlimited height unless the property is subject to transitional or airport-related restrictions.
| District Type | District Name | Maximum Building Height |
|---|---|---|
| Residential | Residential Estate (RE) | 40 feet [Section 2.2.2.E] |
| Residential | Residential Single-Family (RS-20, RS-15, RS-7.2, RS-5) | 40 feet [Sections 2.2.3.E to 2.2.6.E] |
| Residential | Residential Medium-Density (RM-12) | 60 feet (Duplex/SF); 75 feet (Townhouse) [Section 2.2.7.E] |
| Residential | Village on the Green at Tierra Verde (VG) | 40 feet [Section 2.2.9.C] |
| Non-Residential | Limited Office (LO) | 45 feet [Section 2.3.2.E] |
| Non-Residential | Office Commercial (OC), Neighborhood Commercial (NC) | No Limit* [Section 4.1.7.E] |
| Non-Residential | Community Commercial (CC), General Commercial (GC) | No Limit* [Section 4.1.7.E] |
| Non-Residential | Highway Commercial (HC), Business Park (BP) | No Limit* [Section 4.1.7.E] |
| Non-Residential | Light Industrial (LI), Industrial Manufacturing (IM) | No Limit* [Section 4.1.7.E] |
| Mixed-Use | Neighborhood Mixed-Use (NMU), Regional Mixed-Use (RMU) | No Limit* [Section 4.1.7.E] |
*Subject to special height limitations when adjacent to single-family residential uses.
Special Height Limitations and Transitions
The City of Arlington implements specific "neighborhood transitions" to protect lower-density residential areas from the impact of tall buildings in non-residential zones.
Single-Family Adjacency
For all buildings in non-residential zoning districts (excluding the Limited Office (LO) district), the following standards apply when sharing a property line with a single-family residential use or zone [Section 4.1.7.E.1]:
- Initial Setback: A building's height cannot exceed 45 feet within the first 75 feet of a shared property line with single-family residential.
- Height-to-Distance Ratio: Beyond the initial 75 feet, the building height cannot exceed a ratio of one foot of height for every one foot of distance from the shared property line (a 1:1 proximity slope).
Major Thoroughfares
Multi-family and mixed-use residential buildings in non-residential districts must meet a minimum height of six stories when they are located within the first 100 feet of the right-of-way of a major thoroughfare, freeway, or highway [Section 4.1.7.E.2].
Height Exceptions for Appurtenances
Certain architectural and mechanical features are exempt from the standard height limits in the City of Arlington, provided they are functional and do not provide additional floor area [Section 4.1.7.C].
- Standard Exceptions: Cupolas, flagpoles, chimneys, antennas, HVAC equipment, stairwell towers, and lightning rods may generally extend up to five feet above the maximum permitted height.
- Alternative Energy: Ground-mounted wind turbines and solar panels are also excluded from standard height limits, provided they comply with screening requirements and do not interfere with Federal Aviation Regulations.
- Safety/Functionality: Flagpoles and antennas may exceed the five-foot exception limit if a greater height is necessary for them to function.
Airport Overlay (APO) Height Constraints
In areas surrounding the Arlington Municipal Airport, building heights are further restricted by the Airport Overlay (APO) district. These calculations are based on mean sea level (MSL) rather than finished grade [Section 12.7.1].
The City of Arlington regulates these heights based on defined "surfaces" [Section 5.8.2.D]:
- Runway 16 Approach Zone: One foot in height for every 34 feet of horizontal distance.
- Runway 34 Approach Zone: One foot in height for every 50 feet of horizontal distance for the first 10,000 feet.
- Horizontal Zone: Limited to 150 feet above the established airport elevation (totaling 780 feet above mean sea level).
- Conical Zone: Slopes 20 feet outward for each one foot upward, starting at 150 feet above airport elevation and extending to 350 feet above airport elevation.
Sections Cited
- Section 2.2.2, Residential Estate | RE
- Section 2.2.7, Residential Medium-Density | RM-12
- Section 2.3.2, Limited Office | LO
- Section 4.1.7, Building Height
- Section 5.8.2, Airport Overlay | APO
- Section 12.7.1, Other Terms Defined (Building Height, Grade)