NMU: Neighborhood Mixed-Use Zoning in the City of Arlington
The Neighborhood Mixed-Use (NMU) district in the City of Arlington is designed to facilitate high-density, urban-scale redevelopment of traditional suburban commercial centers, limiting residential density to a maximum of 40 units per gross acre. The City of Arlington permits a wide variety of commercial, office, and high-density residential uses in this district while strictly prohibiting low-density residential housing types and heavy auto-oriented services such as car washes and vehicle fueling stations.
Neighborhood Mixed-Use (NMU) Purpose and Intent
The Neighborhood Mixed-Use district is established by the City of Arlington to encourage the transformation of older commercial areas into vibrant, pedestrian-friendly environments. This district supports nodal or linear development along well-traveled corridors, integrating commercial, institutional, and recreational facilities with multi-family housing [Section 2.3.12]. The City of Arlington encourages residential units to be located on the upper floors of non-residential establishments to maintain an urban scale and facilitate pedestrian connectivity [Section 2.3.12].
Detailed List of Allowed Uses
Uses in the Neighborhood Mixed-Use district are categorized as Permitted by Right (P), Permitted subject to Supplemental Use Standards (P*), or requiring a Specific Use Permit (S).
Residential and Group Living Uses
The City of Arlington limits residential uses in the Neighborhood Mixed-Use district to high-density formats that support a mixed-use environment.
- Dwelling, Live/Work (P):* Permitted subject to supplemental standards regarding the location of living areas and its classification as a non-residential use in mixed-use buildings [Section 3.2.1.A].
- Dwelling, Multi-family (P):* Permitted subject to design standards and location exceptions, such as distance requirements from high-impact uses or the airport [Section 3.2.1.A].
- Independent Senior Living Facility (P):* Permitted subject to multi-family standards and specific unit size and common area requirements [Section 3.2.1.B].
- Lodging House / Private Dorm (P):* Permitted subject to minimum lot area per occupant [Section 3.2.1.B].
Public, Institutional, and Educational Uses
- Art Gallery or Museum (P)
- Government Administration and Civic Buildings (P)
- Philanthropic Institution (P)
- Religious Assembly (P)
- Business School (P)
- Public or Private School (P)
- University, College, or Seminary (P)
- Medical or Dental Office or Clinic (P)
- Community Garden (P)
- Public Park or Playground (P)
Commercial and Service Uses
The Neighborhood Mixed-Use district accommodates a broad range of retail and professional services intended to serve the surrounding City of Arlington neighborhoods.
- Veterinary Clinic (P):* Permitted if boarding and breeding are conducted entirely indoors with proper sound and odor protection [Section 3.2.3.A].
- Bank or Financial Institution (P)*
- Alternative Financial Institution (P):* Subject to strict spacing requirements (1,000 feet from other such institutions and 200 feet from residential zones) [Section 3.2.3.C].
- Bar (S): Requires a Specific Use Permit and must meet access requirements from arterial or major collector streets [Section 3.2.3.D].
- Catering Service (P)
- Restaurant (P)
- Restaurant, Take-out and Delivery (P)
- Restaurant with Drive-through (P):* Subject to stacking lane and screening standards [Section 3.2.3.D].
- Sidewalk Cafe (P):* Subject to right-of-way use agreements and pedestrian flow requirements [Section 3.3.6.M].
- Hotels (Luxury, Upper Upscale, Upper-Midscale, Midscale, Economy, Convention) (P):* Subject to chain scale ratings and specific design standards [Section 3.2.3.E].
- Hotel, Upscale (S):* Requires a Specific Use Permit [Section 3.1.5].
- Office, Business or Professional (P)
- Day Care Center (P):* Prohibited within 300 feet of an existing gas wellhead [Section 3.2.3.L].
- General Personal Services (P)
- Tattoo Parlor or Piercing Studio (S)
- Nightclub / Live Entertainment Venue (S):* Requires a Specific Use Permit and must be 1,000 feet from other nightclubs or sexually oriented businesses [Section 3.2.3.G].
- Lodge or Fraternal Organization (P)
- Recreation, Indoor (Other than listed) (P)
- Theatre, Indoor (P)
- General Retail Store (P)
- Firearm Sales (P)
- Small Box Discount Store (S):* Requires a Specific Use Permit and must be at least 1.5 miles from any other small box discount store [Section 3.2.3.I].
- Specialty Paraphernalia Sales (S)
Detailed List of Prohibited Uses
The City of Arlington expressly prohibits uses that are incompatible with the high-density, pedestrian-oriented nature of the Neighborhood Mixed-Use district.
- Low-Density Residential: Single-family detached dwellings, duplexes, townhouses (unless part of a mixed-use building), and HUD-Code manufactured homes [Table 3.1-2].
- Auto-Oriented Services: Auto service centers, major auto repair garages, car washes, and motor vehicle fueling facilities [Table 3.1-2].
- Heavy Institutional: Correctional facilities, halfway houses, and psychiatric hospitals [Table 3.1-2].
- Industrial and Wholesale: Almost all industrial services, heavy or light manufacturing, salvage yards, and wholesale distribution centers [Table 3.1-2].
- Agricultural: Animal production and crop production [Table 3.1-2].
Neighborhood Mixed-Use (NMU) Development Standards
The City of Arlington applies specific dimensional and parking standards to the Neighborhood Mixed-Use district to ensure high-quality, compact development.
Dimensional Standards
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Max Residential Density | 40 units per gross acre |
| Min Lot Area | 10,000 square feet |
| Min Street Frontage Setback (Interstate/Hwy) | 12 feet (Min) / 24 feet (Max) |
| Min Street Frontage Setback (Public Street/Alley) | 10 feet (Min) / 20 feet (Max) |
| Max Building Footprint Coverage | 90% |
| Min Height | 20 feet (for all structures) |
[Section 2.3.12, Section 4.1.4, Section 5.7.5]
Off-Street Parking Standards
In the Neighborhood Mixed-Use district, the City of Arlington requires parking to be located behind or to the side of buildings to preserve the streetscape.
| Use Type | Parking Requirement |
|---|---|
| Primary Residential Use | 1 space per dwelling unit |
| Residential Office Staff | 5 spaces |
| Residential Visitor Parking | 1 space per 10,000 sq. ft. of gross floor area |
| General Office / Retail | Refer to Schedule A (typically 2.5 to 3 per 1,000 sf) |
[Section 5.4.1, Section 10.4.5A]
Sections Cited
- Section 2.3.12 Neighborhood Mixed-Use | NMU
- Section 3.1.5 Table of Allowed Uses
- Section 3.2.1 Residential Uses
- Section 3.2.3 Commercial Uses
- Section 3.3.6 Supplemental Accessory Use Standards
- Section 4.1.4 Lot Coverage
- Section 5.4.1 Purpose (Off-Street Parking)
- Section 5.7.5 Building Design (Mixed-Use)
- Section 10.4.5A Mixed-Use Development Plans