Hotel and Lodging Regulations in the City of Arlington
Lodging facilities in the City of Arlington are permitted in a variety of non-residential and mixed-use districts, primarily the General Commercial (GC), Highway Commercial (HC), and Regional Mixed-Use (RMU) districts. The City of Arlington classifies hotels based on a "Chain Scale Rating," where higher-tier luxury and upscale brands are permitted by-right or by Specific Use Permit (SUP), while lower-tier midscale and economy brands are generally restricted to the rebuilding of existing facilities. Bed and Breakfast Inns are allowed in many residential districts with a Specific Use Permit and in mixed-use districts by-right, subject to guest room limitations [Section 3.1.5].
Authorized Zoning Districts for Lodging
The City of Arlington Unified Development Code categorizes lodging into several types, including specific hotel tiers based on industry standard ratings (STR, Inc.), Bed and Breakfast Inns, and Lodging Houses.
Hotel Permissions by District
New hotel construction in the City of Arlington is strictly regulated by the brand's chain scale classification.
| Hotel Classification | Allowed Districts (Permitted or SUP) | Specific Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel, Luxury | OC, CC, GC, HC, DB, BP, FH, LI, NMU, RMU | Permitted [P*] |
| Hotel, Upper Upscale | OC, CC, GC, HC, DB, BP, FH, LI, NMU, RMU | Permitted [P*] |
| Hotel, Upscale | CC, GC, HC, DB, BP, FH, LI, NMU, RMU | Specific Use Permit [S*] |
| Hotel, Convention | OC, CC, GC, HC, DB, BP, FH, LI, NMU, RMU | Permitted [P*] |
| Hotel, Independent | Any district via PD process | Planned Development [PD] required |
| Upper Midscale | APO (Airport Overlay) | Allowed only by SUP in APO |
| Midscale / Economy | CC, GC, HC, DB, BP, FH, LI, NMU, RMU | Rebuild existing only [R*] |
Bed and Breakfast Inn Permissions
Bed and Breakfast Inns are more broadly distributed across the City of Arlington but often require special authorization in residential areas.
| District Type | Districts | Permission Level |
|---|---|---|
| Residential | RE, RS-20, RS-15, RS-7.2, RS-5, RM-12, RMF-22, VG | Specific Use Permit [S or S*] |
| Office/Commercial | LO, OC | Specific Use Permit [S*] |
| Mixed-Use/Downtown | DB, NMU, RMU | Permitted [P*] |
Lodging Classification Standards
The City of Arlington utilizes the "Chain Scale Rating" published by STR, Inc. to determine hotel classifications [Section 3.2.3.E.2.a].
- Luxury, Upper-Upscale, and Upscale: These high-tier brands have the most flexibility for new development in commercial corridors.
- Rebuilding Only (R):* In the City of Arlington, Economy, Midscale, and Upper-Midscale hotels that existed prior to June 1, 2019, may be demolished and rebuilt only if they upgrade to a higher classification as specified in the "Demo and Rebuild" table [Section 3.2.3.E.2.e].
- Independent Hotels: Any hotel not classified by a brand rating is considered an Independent Hotel and requires the approval of a Planned Development (PD) [Section 3.2.3.E.2.f].
- Residence Hotels: This is a subclassification for facilities where more than 5% of units are for stays of 30 consecutive days or more [Section 12.3.3.F.10].
Overlay District Requirements
Specific areas within the City of Arlington have additional requirements for lodging.
Entertainment District Overlay (EDO)
The City of Arlington restricts hotel types within the Entertainment District Overlay to ensure high-quality development near major venues.
- Allowed Tiers: Only Luxury, Upper-Upscale, Upscale, and Convention Hotels are permitted [Section 3.2.3.E.2.c].
- Height and Scale: Hotels in the EDO must be a minimum of six stories in height [Section 3.2.3.E.2.c].
- Amenities: EDO hotels must include a lobby of at least 4,000 square feet (or 10 sq. ft. per guest room) and a full-service restaurant and bar open to the public [Section 3.2.3.E.2.c].
Airport Overlay (APO)
In the Airport Overlay, Upper-Midscale Hotels may be permitted by Specific Use Permit (SUP) provided they meet specialized criteria:
- All rooms must be suites with defined living areas and kitchenettes.
- The facility must provide in-room workspaces, on-site meeting rooms, business centers, swimming pools, and fitness centers [Section 3.2.3.E.2.d].
Technical Standards for Lodging
All lodging facilities in the City of Arlington must meet specific parking and design standards.
Parking Requirements
| Use Type | Automobile Parking Requirement | Bicycle Parking Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel (All Types) | 1 space per guest room (up to 100 units); 0.75 per unit over 100 | 1 space per 30 rooms |
| Bed & Breakfast | 1 space per guest room + principal residence requirements | N/A |
| Overnight Parking | Per Schedule C (Zoning Administrator determination) | N/A |
Design and Site Standards
- Entrances: Primary building entrances for hotels must be treated as signature elements with architectural features like porticos or pediments [Section 3.2.3.E.2.b].
- Porte-Cochere: A covered area must be provided immediately adjacent to the entrance for temporary parking of at least two vehicles for guests checking in/out [Section 3.2.3.E.2.b].
- Security: Multi-family and lodging structures must restrict guest room access to interior corridors and maintain 24-hour surveillance cameras in hallways, lobbies, and parking lots [Section 3.2.3.E.2.b].
Sections Cited
- Section 3.1.2 Explanation of Table Abbreviations
- Section 3.1.5 Table of Allowed Uses
- Section 3.2.3.E Lodging Facilities (Supplemental Use Standards)
- Section 5.4.3 Off-Street Parking Standards
- Section 5.4.11 Bicycle Parking
- Section 12.3.3.F Lodging Facilities (Definitions)