Guide to the BP: Business Park District in Arlington, Texas
The BP: Business Park district in the City of Arlington is a specialized zoning classification intended for professional offices, research and development facilities, and limited industrial activities situated within a master-planned, landscaped environment. This district requires a minimum lot area of 15,000 square feet and prohibits heavy industrial nuisances such as raw materials processing or bulk handling. While primarily employment-focused, the BP: Business Park district allows for high-density multi-family and mixed-use residential developments with a maximum density of 36 units per acre.
Purpose and General Character
The City of Arlington established the BP: Business Park district to provide protected sites for high-quality employment centers. The general character of the district is defined by a "landscaped setting" that facilitates a transition between traditional office uses and light, non-nuisance industrial production [Section 2.3.9].
The district emphasizes "clean" business operations. It is specifically designed to exclude activities involving raw materials processing or bulk handling to maintain a professional atmosphere [Section 2.3.9]. This district is often used to accommodate modernized production activities that do not generate smoke, noise, or odors, ensuring compatibility with neighboring uses within the City of Arlington.
Dimensional Standards
Development within the BP: Business Park district must adhere to specific lot size and setback requirements to ensure the master-planned character of the area is maintained.
BP: Business Park Development Standards
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum Lot Area | 15,000 square feet |
| Maximum Residential Density | 36 dwelling units per acre |
| Minimum Front Setback (Freeway/Frontage) | 20 feet |
| Minimum Front Setback (All other streets) | 10 feet |
| Minimum Side Setback | 0 feet |
| Minimum Rear Setback | 0 feet |
| Setback Adjacent to Single-Family (Side/Rear) | 25 feet |
| Maximum Building Height | No general limit (except near single-family) |
| Maximum Lot Coverage | N/A (determined by Article 4) |
Note: Building height is generally unlimited in the City of Arlington non-residential districts, but buildings may not exceed 45 feet when located within the first 75 feet of a shared property line with an existing single-family residential use [Section 4.1.7.E].
Permitted Land Uses
The BP: Business Park district supports a variety of uses, ranging from professional services to specialized manufacturing.
Office and Professional Uses
The primary focus of the BP: Business Park district is on professional and administrative environments. Office buildings in this district are permitted to include incidental retail and personal service uses (such as restaurants or laboratories) to serve the building's clients, provided these incidental uses do not exceed 25% of the building's gross floor area individually, or 30% in the aggregate [Section 3.2.3.F].
Commercial and Service Uses
Supporting commercial activities are permitted to provide convenience to the workforce within the City of Arlington:
- Retail and Food: General retail stores and restaurants (including those with drive-throughs) are permitted by right, subject to supplemental standards [Section 3.1.5].
- Lodging: A wide range of hotel types are permitted, including Luxury, Upper-Upscale, and Convention hotels [Section 3.1.5].
- Personal Services: Day care centers, medical offices, and banks are permitted [Section 3.1.5].
Industrial and Manufacturing
Only specific, lower-impact industrial activities are allowed in the BP: Business Park district:
- Research and Development: Medical or scientific research laboratories are permitted by right [Section 3.1.5].
- Custom and Craft Work: Permitted subject to supplemental standards, which require operations to be conducted entirely within an enclosed building and prohibit external dust collection systems [Section 3.2.4.B].
Parking and Site Requirements
The City of Arlington requires that parking facilities in the BP: Business Park district be located to the side or rear of buildings whenever possible to maintain an attractive street frontage [Section 5.4.9].
Common Parking Ratios for BP: Business Park
| Use Type | Minimum Parking Requirement |
|---|---|
| Office or Professional | 2.5 spaces per 1,000 sq. ft. GFA |
| Medical or Dental Office | 4 spaces per 1,000 sq. ft. GFA |
| Research Laboratory | Refer to Schedule B (varies by area) |
| Restaurant | 10 spaces per 1,000 sq. ft. GFA |
Sections Cited
- Section 2.3.9 – Business Park | BP (Purpose and Dimensional Standards)
- Section 3.1.5 – Table of Allowed Uses (Non-Residential and Mixed-Use)
- Section 3.2.3.F – Office, Business or Professional (Incidental Use Standards)
- Section 3.2.4.B – Manufacturing (Custom and Craft Work)
- Section 4.1.7.E – Special Height Limitations in Non-Residential Zoning Districts
- Section 5.4.3 – Off-Street Parking Standards (Schedule A)
- Section 5.4.9 – Parking Facility Location and Design