NMU: Neighborhood Mixed-Use District Guidelines for the City of Arlington
The Neighborhood Mixed-Use (NMU) district in the City of Arlington is designed to transform traditional suburban commercial centers into higher-density, urban-scale environments that prioritize pedestrian connectivity. This district limits residential density to a maximum of 40 units per gross acre and mandates that developments include a mix of at least two distinct permitted land uses [Section 2.3.12, Section 5.7.3].
Purpose and Intent of the NMU District
The primary purpose of the NMU district is to encourage the redevelopment of existing commercial areas into vibrant, mixed-use nodes or linear corridors [Section 2.3.12.A]. The City of Arlington intends for this district to support a variety of commercial, institutional, and service facilities that serve the daily needs of surrounding neighborhoods, such as grocery stores, drug stores, and personal services [Section 2.3.12.A].
Key objectives for the NMU district include:
- Facilitating strong pedestrian connections between residential and non-residential components.
- Encouraging residential uses on the upper floors of commercial establishments.
- Ensuring that the architectural scale and design of new structures remain compatible with adjacent neighborhoods.
- Implementing urban-scale development patterns that reduce reliance on automobiles [Section 2.3.12.A].
Permitted Land Uses
In the NMU district, land uses are intended to be diverse and integrated. To achieve the "mixed-use" character, the City of Arlington requires a combination of at least two distinct use types within a single development [Section 5.7.3.A].
Residential Uses
- Multi-family Dwellings: Permitted subject to supplemental standards [Table 3.1-2].
- Live/Work Units: Permitted, with the residential portion generally restricted from the first floor in two-story units [Table 3.1-2, Section 3.2.1.A].
Public and Institutional Uses
- Art Galleries and Museums: Permitted by-right.
- Government Administration and Civic Buildings: Permitted by-right.
- Religious Assemblies: Permitted by-right.
- Educational Facilities: Including business schools, university, and college settings [Table 3.1-2].
Commercial and Service Uses
- Office and Professional Services: Including medical clinics and general business offices.
- Food and Beverage: Restaurants (permitted) and bars (permitted subject to supplemental standards).
- Retail Sales: General retail, nurseries, and small box discount stores (the latter requires a Specific Use Permit) [Table 3.1-2].
- Lodging: Luxury and upscale hotels are permitted subject to supplemental standards [Table 3.1-2].
Dimensional and Development Standards
The City of Arlington enforces specific dimensional requirements in the NMU district to ensure a compact, urban form.
| Standard Type | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Maximum Residential Density | 40 units per gross acre |
| Minimum Lot Area | 10,000 square feet |
| Maximum Lot Coverage | 90% |
| Minimum Building Height | 20 feet (to ensure street-wall consistency) |
| Setback: Interstate/State Highway | 12 feet (Min) / 24 feet (Max) |
| Setback: Public Street/Private Access | 10 feet (Min) / 20 feet (Max) |
| Setback: Side or Rear Interior | 0 feet (Min) / None (Max) |
| Setback: Adjacent to Single-Family | 20 feet (Min) / 20 feet (Max) |
[Section 2.3.12, Section 5.7.5.B]
Additional Development Standards
- Small Lot Coverage: For lots smaller than 7,500 square feet within the NMU district, a minimum building footprint coverage of 60 percent is required [Section 4.1.4.C].
- Mixed-Use Development Plan: All new construction or material amendments in the NMU district require the submission and approval of a Mixed-Use Development Plan [Section 5.7.6].
- Build-to-Line: A minimum of 60 percent of a development’s total building frontage along a major arterial must be located at the minimum front setback line to maintain a consistent "street wall" [Section 5.7.4.A].
Parking and Circulation
Parking regulations in the City of Arlington's NMU district are designed to minimize the visual impact of vehicles and promote walkability.
- Placement: Surface parking lots and driving aisles are prohibited between the building and the street. Parking must be located to the side or rear of the structure [Section 5.4.4.H.1.c].
- Calculations: The total off-street parking requirement is the sum of the requirements for each individual use calculated separately [Section 5.4.4.H.1.a].
- Reductions: The Zoning Administrator may approve reductions in required parking if the applicant provides an evaluation demonstrating that needs are met by mass transit or other factors [Section 5.4.4.H.1.b].
Sections Cited
- Article 2, Zoning Districts
- Section 2.3.12, Neighborhood Mixed-Use | NMU
- Article 3, Use Standards
- Table 3.1-2, Allowed Uses – Non-Residential and Mixed-Use Districts
- Section 3.2.1.A, Household Living
- Section 4.1.4.C, Lot Coverage
- Section 5.4.4.H, Special Parking Requirements in Certain Zoning Districts
- Section 5.7.3, Uses (Mixed-Use Design Standards)
- Section 5.7.4, Site Design and Building Organization
- Section 5.7.5.B, Building Height
- Section 5.7.6, Development Plans Required for all Mixed-Use Development