Off-Street Parking Standards for the OC: Office Commercial District in Arlington
In the City of Arlington’s OC: Office Commercial district, multi-family and mixed-use residential developments generally require a base ratio of one parking space per dwelling unit, supplemented by specific allocations for visitors and staff. Commercial projects within the OC: Office Commercial district are subject to varying ratios based on specific use, typically ranging from 2.5 spaces per 1,000 square feet for general office use to 10 spaces per 1,000 square feet for restaurants. All multi-family developments in this district are prohibited from placing surface parking between the building and the street right-of-way [Section 5.12.4].
Residential Parking Requirements in the OC District
Residential uses permitted in the OC: Office Commercial district, such as multi-family dwellings and live/work units, must adhere to the City of Arlington's specific residential parking schedules for non-residential zones. These requirements are calculated based on the number of units and the gross floor area.
Residential Parking Ratios
| Use Type | Primary Parking Requirement | Accessory/Visitor Parking Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Dwelling, Multi-family or Mixed-Use | 1 space per dwelling unit | 5 spaces (Staff) + 1 space per 10,000 sq. ft. of gross residential floor area (Visitors) |
| Dwelling, Live/Work | 1.5 spaces per dwelling unit | Work area calculated based on the specific commercial use (e.g., Office or Retail) |
[Section 5.4.3]
Commercial Parking Requirements in the OC District
Commercial projects in the OC: Office Commercial district are governed by the City of Arlington’s "Parking Schedule A." Ratios are typically calculated per 1,000 square feet of Gross Floor Area (GFA).
Commercial Parking Ratios (Common OC Uses)
| Specific Use Type | Parking Spaces Required (per 1,000 sq. ft. GFA) |
|---|---|
| Office, Business or Professional | 2.5 spaces |
| Medical or Dental Office/Clinic | 4 spaces |
| Bank or Financial Institution | 2.5 spaces |
| General Retail Store | 3 spaces |
| Restaurant | 10 spaces (includes outside dining/drinking areas) |
| Restaurant (Take-out/Delivery Only) | 3 spaces |
| Telemarketing Call Center | 8 spaces (per 1,000 sq. ft. of workstation area) |
| Day Care Center | 2.5 spaces |
[Section 5.4.3]
Bicycle Parking Requirements
Developments in the OC: Office Commercial district must also provide off-street bicycle parking. In the City of Arlington, these requirements vary by the scale and nature of the project.
Bicycle Parking Standards
| Land Use Type | Required Number of Bicycle Spaces |
|---|---|
| Multi-family and Mixed-Use | 20% of the number of units (10% of total must include e-bike chargers) |
| Office and Professional | 5% of required automobile spaces (minimum of 2 spaces) |
| Commercial and Retail | 5% of required automobile spaces (minimum of 2 spaces) |
| Hospital | 1 space per 30 rooms |
[Section 5.4.11]
General Location and Design Standards
The City of Arlington enforces specific location and design rules for parking facilities within the OC: Office Commercial district to ensure safety and aesthetic compatibility:
- Prohibited Locations: No off-street parking facility may be located within any public street, sidewalk, parkway, or other public right-of-way [Section 5.4.9].
- Residential Adjacency: For multi-family or mixed-use residential projects located in the OC: Office Commercial district, no parking is permitted between the building and the street right-of-way [Section 5.4.4, Section 5.12.4].
- Shared Parking: The Zoning Administrator may approve shared parking for developments with different operating hours or peak business periods, provided the uses are within 600 feet of a public entrance [Section 5.4.7].
- Accessible Parking: Accessible spaces are required for every parking facility and must be calculated separately for each individual lot or garage on a site [Section 5.4.5].
- Lighting: Parking lot lighting fixtures located within 100 feet of residential property must not exceed 20 feet in height and must be shielded to reduce glare [Section 5.4.9].
Sections Cited
- Section 2.3.3 Office Commercial | OC
- Section 3.1.5 Table of Allowed Uses
- Section 5.4.3 Off-Street Parking Standards
- Section 5.4.4 Computation of Parking and Loading Requirements
- Section 5.4.5 Accessible Parking
- Section 5.4.7 Parking Alternatives
- Section 5.4.9 Parking Facility Location and Design
- Section 5.4.11 Bicycle Parking
- Section 5.12.4 Site Design and Building Organization (Multi-Family in Non-Residential)