Off-Street Parking Requirements for the RE: Residential Estate District in the City of Arlington
In the RE: Residential Estate district of the City of Arlington, single-family detached dwellings are required to provide a minimum of two off-street parking spaces, which must be housed within an enclosed two-car garage of at least 390 square feet. Non-residential and institutional projects allowed in the Residential Estate district must meet varying ratios, such as three spaces per 1,000 square feet for government buildings or one space per four seats for religious assemblies. All required parking for any use in the Residential Estate district must be located on the same lot as the principal use and is prohibited from being located within public rights-of-way or required perimeter landscape setbacks.
Residential Parking Requirements
The City of Arlington Unified Development Code establishes specific standards for household and group living uses within the RE: Residential Estate district. The primary residential use, single-family detached dwellings, has a specific mandate for enclosed parking to preserve the quiet residential nature of the district.
Residential Parking Ratios
| Use Type | Minimum Parking Requirement |
|---|---|
| Dwelling, single-family detached | 2 per dwelling unit |
| Assisted living facility (≤6 residents) | 2.0 per dwelling unit (not to exceed 1 per bedroom) |
| Assisted living facility (≥7 residents) | 1.0 per dwelling unit |
| Boarding home facility | As required for the principal use; not to exceed 1 per bedroom |
| Community home for disabled persons | As required for the principal use; not to exceed 1 per bedroom |
| Foster family home | As required for the principal use |
| Foster group home | As required for the principal use plus 1 per 2 residential beds |
Residential Garage Standards
For all single-family detached dwellings in the RE: Residential Estate district, the City of Arlington requires an enclosed two-car garage. This garage must be a minimum of 390 square feet in area [Section 5.4.9]. This requirement does not apply to dwellings constructed prior to January 31, 1984.
Non-Residential and Institutional Parking Requirements
While the RE: Residential Estate district is primarily intended for large-lot residential uses, several public, institutional, and select commercial uses are permitted (some via Specific Use Permit). These projects must provide off-street parking based on the following schedules.
Public and Institutional Ratios
| Use Type | Minimum Parking Requirement |
|---|---|
| Government administration and civic buildings | 3 per 1,000 sf GFA |
| Philanthropic institution | 3 per 1,000 sf GFA |
| Religious assembly | 1 space per 4 seats (or 25% of max capacity if no fixed seats) |
| Public or private school (Elementary/Middle) | 2 per classroom |
| Public or private school (High School) | 6 per classroom + 1 per 300 sf of administrative office |
| Community garden | 1 per 5,000 sf of lot area |
| Public park or playground | Subject to Schedule C; Playfields (soccer, etc.) min. 20 spaces per field |
Commercial and Agricultural Ratios
| Use Type | Minimum Parking Requirement |
|---|---|
| Stables, commercial | 1 per 5 stalls |
| Bed and breakfast inn | 1 per guest room (in addition to principal residence requirement) |
| Day care center | 2.5 per 1,000 sf GFA |
| Golf course | 4 per green |
| Marina | 0.75 spaces per boat slip (plus requirements for other on-site uses) |
| Nursery garden shop or plant sales | Refer to Schedule B |
| Animal or Crop production | None |
Schedule B Standards
Uses in the RE: Residential Estate district that reference "Schedule B" (such as Nursery garden shops) must calculate their total parking based on the cumulative functions of the facility [Section 5.4.3]:
- Office or administrative area: 2 per 1,000 square feet GFA.
- Indoor sales area: 3 per 1,000 square feet GFA.
- Outdoor sales/display (≤3,000 sf): 1.25 per 1,000 square feet GFA.
- Outdoor sales/display (>3,000 sf): 1 per 1,000 square feet GFA.
General Parking Facility Standards
All parking facilities in the Residential Estate district of the City of Arlington must adhere to specific design and location regulations to minimize impact on the surrounding environment.
- Location: All required off-street parking must be located on the same lot as the principal use [Section 5.4.2].
- Prohibitions: No off-street parking facility may be located in a public street, sidewalk, or other public right-of-way [Section 5.4.9].
- Landscape Setbacks: Non-residential development in the RE: Residential Estate district must provide a perimeter landscape setback. Parking within this setback is expressly prohibited [Section 5.2.2].
- Dimensions: Standard parking spaces must be at least 18 feet in length and 9 feet in width. Up to 20 percent of required spaces may be designated for compact cars (8 feet by 16 feet) [Section 5.4.9].
- Maintenance: All parking areas must be maintained in a state of good repair by the owner or person in control of the premises [Section 5.4.9].
Sections Cited
- Section 2.2.2 Residential Estate | RE
- Section 3.1.5 Table of Allowed Uses
- Section 5.2.2 Landscaping Required
- Section 5.4.2 Applicability (Off-Street Parking)
- Section 5.4.3 Off-Street Parking Standards
- Section 5.4.9 Parking Facility Location and Design