Heavy Manufacturing and Industrial Zoning in Arlington, Texas
The Industrial Manufacturing (IM) district is the primary zoning classification that allows for heavy industrial and mass-production activities within the City of Arlington. While the Light Industrial (LI) and Business Park (BP) districts accommodate lower-intensity industrial services and light manufacturing, intensive "high-impact" uses and heavy manufacturing processes are strictly confined to the Industrial Manufacturing (IM) district.
Primary Industrial Zoning Districts
The City of Arlington establishes two main districts specifically intended for industrial activity, distinguished by their intensity and impact on surrounding areas.
Industrial Manufacturing (IM)
The Industrial Manufacturing (IM) district is intended to provide for the development of heavy industrial and manufacturing uses, as well as supporting business and office uses. According to the City of Arlington regulations, this district is specifically intended to be located away from low- and medium-density residential development [Section 2.3.11].
Light Industrial (LI)
The Light Industrial (LI) district is intended for research, processing, warehousing, and other indoor light industrial activities. Like the more intensive manufacturing zones, the City of Arlington requires these areas to be situated away from lower-density residential neighborhoods [Section 2.3.10].
Allowed Industrial and Manufacturing Uses
The following table outlines the permissions for various industrial and manufacturing use types across the City of Arlington non-residential districts.
| Use Type | BP | FH | LI | IM | Supplemental Standards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing, Heavy | P | [Section 12.3.4.B.7] | |||
| High-impact Use | P | [Section 12.3.4.B.4] | |||
| Asphalt or Concrete Batch Plant | S | ||||
| Manufacturing, Light | P | P | P | [Section 12.3.4.B.6] | |
| Manufacturing and Assembly, Small-Scale | P | P | P | [Section 12.3.4.B.5] | |
| Custom and Craft Work | P | P* | P | P | [Section 3.2.4.B.1] |
| Salvage Yard (Indoor) | P | P | [Section 12.3.4.B.8] | ||
| Salvage Yard (Outdoor) | S* | [Section 3.2.4.B.3] |
P = Permitted By-Right; S = Specific Use Permit; Asterisk () = Supplemental Use Standards Apply [Section 3.1.2]*
Industrial Development Standards
The City of Arlington enforces specific dimensional and building standards for industrial properties to ensure compatibility and safety.
| Standard | Light Industrial (LI) | Industrial Manufacturing (IM) |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Lot Area | 15,000 square feet | 15,000 square feet |
| Min. Street Setback | 10 feet | 10 feet |
| Freeway/Frontage Setback | 20 feet | 20 feet |
| Interior Side/Rear Setback | 0 feet | 0 feet |
| Setback Adjacent to Single-Family | 25 feet | 40 feet |
| Max. Building Height | N/A (Refer to Art. 4) | 40 feet (if within 40 feet of residential) |
| Max. Lot Coverage | N/A | N/A |
[Section 2.3.10, Section 2.3.11]
Use Definitions and Characteristics
The City of Arlington Unified Development Code provides detailed definitions to distinguish between various industrial intensities.
Heavy Manufacturing Characteristics
In the City of Arlington, heavy manufacturing involves the mass production of goods usually sold to wholesalers or other industrial users. Characteristics include:
- Production of large durable goods (e.g., motorcycles, cars, airplanes, or manufactured homes).
- Use of a foundry for metals.
- Manufacturing of paints, oils, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals.
- Canning or bottling of food using mechanized assembly lines.
- Tire recapping or retreading [Section 12.3.4.B.7].
High-Impact Industrial Uses
These are facilities that the City of Arlington identifies as having potential for dangerous or extremely obnoxious environmental impacts. This includes petroleum refining, bulk storage of explosives or fireworks, and the handling of radioactive materials or hazardous chemicals [Section 12.3.4.B.4].
Light Manufacturing vs. Small-Scale Assembly
- Manufacturing, Light: Involves producing goods without chemical processing, such as assembling small items from component parts (clocks, appliances) or producing items from leather, paper, or textiles [Section 12.3.4.B.6].
- Manufacturing and Assembly, Small-Scale: Must be contained wholly within a structure and not adversely impact the neighborhood via noise, dust, or odors. This is permitted in the Flex Hybrid (FH) district as well as industrial zones [Section 12.3.4.B.5].
Prohibited Industrial Locations
Certain overlay districts within the City of Arlington explicitly prohibit industrial activities to protect specific character areas. For example, the Entertainment District Overlay (EDO) prohibits several industrial-related uses, including:
- Animal production and crop production.
- Auto service centers and major auto repair garages.
- Industrial uses not explicitly listed in the allowed use tables [Section 5.8.1.B.2].
Sections Cited
- Section 2.3.10 Light Industrial | LI
- Section 2.3.11 Industrial Manufacturing | IM
- Section 3.1.2 Explanation of Table Abbreviations
- Section 3.1.5 Table of Allowed Uses (Non-Residential)
- Section 3.2.4 Supplemental Use Standards (Industrial Uses)
- Section 5.8.1 Entertainment District Overlay | EDO
- Section 12.3.4 Industrial Uses (Definitions)