Drive-Through Business Regulations in the City of Arlington
In the City of Arlington, drive-through businesses are permitted by-right or through a Specific Use Permit (SUP) in a wide variety of commercial, industrial, and mixed-use zoning districts, including the CC, GC, HC, BP, FH, LI, IM, NMU, and RMU districts. Restaurants with drive-through windows are specifically regulated and require an SUP in the NC and DB districts, as well as within the Entertainment District Overlay (EDO) [Section 3.1.5 and Section 5.8.1.B.1.a]. All drive-through establishments in the City of Arlington must comply with mandatory vehicle stacking space requirements and screening standards to mitigate noise and visual impacts on the surrounding environment [Section 5.4.6].
Permitted Zoning Districts for Drive-Through Uses
The City of Arlington Unified Development Code categorizes various types of drive-through or "drive-in" services. The following table identifies the primary districts where these uses are allowed and the required approval process.
Table 1: Drive-Through Use Permissions by District
| Use Type | Permitted By-Right (P*) | Specific Use Permit (S*) |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant with Drive-Through | CC, GC, HC, BP, FH, LI, IM, NMU, RMU | NC, DB, EDO |
| Bank or Financial Institution | LO, OC, NC, CC, GC, HC, DB, BP, FH, LI, IM, NMU, RMU | N/A |
| Car Wash | LI, IM | GC, HC |
| Motor Vehicle Fueling Facility | CC, GC, HC, LI, IM | BP |
*Note: An asterisk indicates that supplemental use standards apply to these districts [Section 3.1.5].
Vehicle Stacking Requirements
Every drive-through establishment in the City of Arlington must provide a minimum number of stacking spaces to ensure that vehicles do not overflow into public rights-of-way or interfere with on-site circulation [Section 5.4.6].
Table 2: Stacking Space Requirements
| Activity | Minimum Stacking Spaces (per lane) | Point of Measurement |
|---|---|---|
| Bank, Financial Institution, or ATM | 3 | Teller or Window |
| Restaurant | 6 | Pick-Up Window |
| Full Service or Automated Car Wash | 6 | Outside of Washing Bay |
| Fuel or Gasoline Pump Island | 2 | Pump Island |
| Other | As determined by the Zoning Administrator | N/A |
Design and Dimension Standards
The City of Arlington mandates specific dimensions and layout rules for these stacking lanes:
- Minimum Width: Stacking lanes must have a minimum width of ten feet [Section 5.4.6.C.1].
- Separation: When stacking lanes are separated from other site areas or bypass lanes, they must be divided by a five-foot-wide landscaped median or island [Section 5.4.6.C.2].
- Screening: For restaurants, stacking lanes must be screened to a height of three feet between the lane and adjacent parking or maneuvering areas. Screening must be opaque and consist of shrubs, fences, or berms [Section 5.3.3.F].
Location and Operational Restrictions
The City of Arlington Unified Development Code places strict limits on where drive-through components can be situated on a lot to protect the pedestrian environment and neighboring properties:
Placement of Lanes and Devices
- Street Frontage: Stacking lanes are prohibited between the building and the street rights-of-way [Section 5.4.6.A.1].
- Service Areas: No service, deliveries, or sales may be conducted within a required front yard or corner side yard. All customers served in vehicles must be positioned at the sides or rear of the principal building [Section 5.4.6.A.3].
- Component Grouping: Menu boards, trash receptacles, and drive-up windows must be located in the side or rear yard to the maximum extent feasible [Section 5.4.6.A.4].
Noise and Lighting
- Audible Electronic Devices: Loudspeakers and automobile service order devices must be designed so they are not audible beyond the property line of the site [Section 5.4.6.A.2].
- Screening Materials: For establishments like car washes in the GC district, wash and vacuum bays facing a public street or residential district must be screened according to Level 3 standards (requiring a 30-foot buffer and specific screening devices) [Section 3.2.3.B.3 and Section 5.3.2].
Mixed-Use and Overlay Specifics
In mixed-use developments within the City of Arlington, drive-through facilities are subject to additional scrutiny:
- Compatibility: A drive-through facility may or may not be allowed depending on the specific mixed-use district requirements and its impact on the pedestrian-oriented nature of the area [Section 5.13.3.C].
- Entertainment District Overlay (EDO): While the underlying district might allow it, the EDO specifically requires a Specific Use Permit for any restaurant seeking a drive-through window [Section 5.8.1.B.1.a].
Sections Cited
- Section 3.1.5, Table of Allowed Uses
- Section 3.2.3.B, Auto Sales, Equipment, and Repair
- Section 3.2.3.C, Financial Services
- Section 3.2.3.D, Food and Beverage Services
- Section 5.3.3.F, Stacking Lane for Drive-Through Service Windows Screened
- Section 5.4.6, Drive-Through Vehicle Stacking and Noise Reduction Standards
- Section 5.8.1.B, Land Uses (Entertainment District Overlay)
- Section 5.13.3.C, Ground-Floor Uses (Mixed-Use Residential)