City of Arlington LO: Limited Office District Guide
The LO: Limited Office district in the City of Arlington is designed for small-scale, low-intensity professional offices with a maximum building height of 45 feet and a minimum lot area of 5,000 square feet [Section 2.3.2]. While primarily intended for professional services, the district allows residential densities up to 36 dwelling units per acre for multi-family and mixed-use developments, serving as a vital transition zone between residential neighborhoods and more intensive commercial corridors [Section 2.3.2].
Purpose and General Character
The primary intent of the LO: Limited Office district is to provide for the development of professional office uses that are compatible in scale, character, and intensity with adjacent residential neighborhoods in the City of Arlington. The district specifically encourages the conversion of existing residential structures into office uses to preserve neighborhood character while allowing for commercial viability [Section 2.3.2].
The general character of the LO: Limited Office district is transitional. It is appropriately applied in areas moving from residential to non-residential use or in areas that are mixed-use in nature. Development standards ensure that adequate street access and parking are available to serve the office uses without negatively impacting the surrounding residential environment [Section 2.3.2].
Dimensional Standards
All development within the City of Arlington's LO: Limited Office district must adhere to specific intensity and dimensional requirements.
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Maximum Density | 36 dwelling units per acre |
| Minimum Lot Area | 5,000 square feet |
| Maximum Building Height | 45 feet |
| Maximum Lot Coverage | 75% |
| Minimum Setback: Freeway/Frontage Road | 20 feet |
| Minimum Setback: All Other Streets | 10 feet |
| Minimum Setback: Side Interior | 20 feet |
| Minimum Setback: Rear Interior | 10 feet |
| Minimum Setback: Adjacent to Single-Family | 20 feet (Side and/or Rear) |
Note: Further measurements and exceptions are found in Article 4 of the City of Arlington Unified Development Code [Section 2.3.2].
Permitted Land Uses
The LO: Limited Office district allows a variety of uses across several categories, often subject to supplemental standards (indicated by an asterisk) to ensure compatibility with nearby residents [Section 3.1.2].
Residential and Mixed-Use
- Multi-Family Dwellings: Permitted by right with supplemental standards [Table 3.1-2].
- Live/Work Dwellings: Permitted by right with supplemental standards [Table 3.1-2].
- Mixed-Use Development: Permitted by right with supplemental standards [Table 3.1-2].
Public, Institutional, and Civic
- Art Gallery or Museum: Permitted by right [Table 3.1-2].
- Government Administration and Civic Buildings: Permitted by right [Table 3.1-2].
- Philanthropic Institution: Permitted by right [Table 3.1-2].
- Religious Assembly: Permitted by right [Table 3.1-2].
- Educational Facilities: Business schools and public/private schools are permitted by right; universities or seminaries require a Specific Use Permit (SUP) [Table 3.1-2].
Commercial and Professional Services
- Office, Business or Professional: Permitted by right [Table 3.1-2].
- Medical or Dental Office: Permitted by right [Table 3.1-2].
- Financial Services: Banks or financial institutions are permitted by right with supplemental standards; alternative financial institutions require an SUP [Table 3.1-2].
- Food and Beverage: Restaurants (including take-out) and catering services are permitted by right. Sidewalk cafes are permitted with supplemental standards. Restaurants with drive-through facilities require an SUP [Table 3.1-2].
- Personal Services: Day care centers are permitted with supplemental standards. General personal services and massage therapy clinics are permitted by right [Table 3.1-2].
- Lodging: Bed and Breakfast Inns require an SUP. Convention and Luxury hotels are permitted with supplemental standards [Table 3.1-2].
Off-Street Parking Standards
Parking requirements in the LO: Limited Office district are generally determined by "Schedule A" and are based on the specific use type.
| Use Category | Parking Requirement (per 1,000 sq. ft. GFA unless noted) |
|---|---|
| Office, Business or Professional | 2.5 spaces |
| Medical or Dental Clinic | 4 spaces |
| Bank or Financial Institution | 2.5 spaces |
| Restaurant (Standard) | 10 spaces (includes outside dining area) |
| Multi-family (LO District) | 1 space per unit plus visitor/staff requirements |
| General Personal Services | 3 spaces |
Note: GFA refers to Gross Floor Area. For residential uses in non-residential zones like LO, accessory parking includes 5 spaces for office staff plus 1 space per 10,000 square feet of gross residential floor area for visitors [Section 5.4.3].
Sections Cited
- Section 2.3.1: General Purposes of All Non-Residential and Mixed-Use Districts
- Section 2.3.2: Limited Office | LO
- Section 3.1.2: Explanation of Table Abbreviations
- Section 3.1.5: Table of Allowed Uses
- Section 4.1.7: Building Height
- Section 5.4.3: Off-Street Parking Standards
- Section 12.3.3: Commercial Uses (Definitions)