OC: Office Commercial Zoning District Guide for the City of Arlington
The OC: Office Commercial district in the City of Arlington is primarily intended for high-quality office developments and selected retail uses with a minimum lot area of 10,000 square feet. This district permits a maximum residential density of 36 units per acre for multi-family or mixed-use projects and requires specialized buffering, such as a 20-foot setback, when developments are adjacent to single-family residential properties [Section 2.3.3].
Purpose and General Character
The City of Arlington established the OC: Office Commercial district to provide dedicated areas for professional office environments and retail services that address both community and citywide needs. The general character of the OC: Office Commercial district is defined by its focus on high-quality design and its ability to serve as a transition or buffer between residential neighborhoods and more intense commercial or industrial zones [Section 2.3.3].
Pursuant to the City of Arlington Unified Development Code, all development within this district must adhere to non-residential design standards to ensure the long-term market value and aesthetic quality of the commercial landscape [Section 5.6.1].
Permitted Land Uses
The OC: Office Commercial district supports a variety of professional, institutional, and limited commercial activities. Uses are categorized as Permitted by-right (P), requiring a Specific Use Permit (S), or subject to Supplemental Use Standards (*).
Residential and Mixed-Use
While primarily a commercial zone, the City of Arlington allows for integrated residential components within the OC: Office Commercial district:
- Dwelling, Multi-family: Permitted subject to supplemental standards [Section 3.1.5].
- Dwelling, Live/Work: Permitted subject to supplemental standards [Section 3.1.5].
- Mixed-use development or building: Permitted subject to supplemental standards [Section 3.1.5].
Public and Institutional Uses
- Art gallery or museum: Permitted [Section 3.1.5].
- Government administration and civic buildings: Permitted [Section 3.1.5].
- Medical or dental office or clinic: Permitted [Section 3.1.5].
- Educational facilities: Includes business schools (P), public/private schools (P), and universities or seminaries (S) [Section 3.1.5].
- Religious assembly: Permitted [Section 3.1.5].
Commercial and Service Uses
- Office, business or professional: Permitted [Section 3.1.5].
- Bank or financial institution: Permitted subject to supplemental standards [Section 3.1.5].
- General retail store (other than listed): Permitted [Section 3.1.5].
- Restaurant: Permitted by-right, or with a drive-through (S) [Section 3.1.5].
- Personal Services: Includes day care centers (P*), massage therapy clinics (P), and general personal services (P) [Section 3.1.5].
- Veterinary clinic: Permitted subject to supplemental standards [Section 3.1.5].
Dimensional and Development Standards
The City of Arlington enforces specific intensity and placement regulations for the OC: Office Commercial district to maintain its intended professional character.
Dimensional Standards Table
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum Lot Area | 10,000 square feet |
| Maximum Density | 36 dwelling units per acre |
| Front Setback (Freeway/Frontage Road) | 20 feet |
| Front Setback (All other streets) | 10 feet |
| Side and/or Rear Setback | 0 feet |
| Setback Adjacent to Single-Family | 20 feet |
| Maximum Building Height | No general limit (see Height Restrictions) |
| Maximum Lot Coverage | N/A (determined by other standards) |
[Section 2.3.3]
Height and Massing Restrictions
While the OC: Office Commercial district does not have a fixed maximum building height, the City of Arlington applies "Special Height Limitations" when a project is adjacent to single-family residential areas:
- 45-Foot Limit: No building in the OC: Office Commercial district may exceed 45 feet in height within the first 75 feet of a shared property line with a single-family residential use or zone [Section 4.1.7.E.1.a].
- 1:1 Proximity Slope: Beyond the initial 75 feet, the building height cannot exceed one foot for every one foot of distance from the shared single-family property line [Section 4.1.7.E.1.b].
Parking and Loading Requirements
All developments in the OC: Office Commercial district must provide off-street parking in proportion to the demand generated by the specific land use.
Parking Ratios Table
| Use Type | Required Number of Spaces |
|---|---|
| General Office / Professional | 2.5 per 1,000 sq. ft. GFA |
| Medical or Dental Office | 4 per 1,000 sq. ft. GFA |
| General Retail Store | 3 per 1,000 sq. ft. GFA |
| Restaurant (Standard) | 10 per 1,000 sq. ft. GFA |
| Bank or Financial Institution | 2.5 per 1,000 sq. ft. GFA |
[Section 5.4.3]
Parking Layout in OC: Office Commercial
The City of Arlington requires that non-residential developments situate buildings at the street frontage, with the majority of parking located to the side or rear to avoid "seas of parking" visible from public rights-of-way [Section 5.4.9.C.1].
Design Guidelines
The OC: Office Commercial district is subject to the Non-Residential Design Standards of Article 5. These standards require:
- 360-Degree Architecture: All building elevations must be architecturally finished with similar levels of materials and detailing; blank walls are prohibited [Section 5.6.4.B].
- Wall Materials: No single building material may cover more than 80 percent of the front building façade. Preferred materials include native stone, brick, stucco, and architecturally finished block [Section 5.6.4.I.1].
- Transparency: At least 25 percent of all walls facing a public street must contain windows or doorways to enhance the pedestrian environment [Section 5.6.4.K.1].
Sections Cited
- Section 2.3.3: Office Commercial | OC
- Section 3.1.5: Table of Allowed Uses
- Section 4.1.7: Building Height
- Section 5.4.3: Off-Street Parking Standards
- Section 5.4.9: Parking Facility Location and Design
- Section 5.6.1: Non-Residential Design Standards - Purpose
- Section 5.6.4: Non-Residential Building Design