Office Commercial (OC) District Zoning Guide: City of Arlington, Texas
The OC: Office Commercial district in the City of Arlington is primarily intended for high-quality office developments and select retail uses that serve community-wide needs. This designation allows for a maximum residential density of 36 units per acre and requires a minimum lot area of 10,000 square feet. While many professional and institutional uses are permitted by right, certain commercial activities—such as drive-through restaurants and alternative financial institutions—require a Specific Use Permit (SUP) and must adhere to supplemental development standards.
Purpose of the OC: Office Commercial District
The City of Arlington establishes the OC: Office Commercial district to provide dedicated areas for professional office environments and retail establishments that support the broader community. The district is designed to accommodate high-quality construction and serves as a functional transition between residential areas and more intensive commercial or industrial zones [Section 2.3.3].
Technical and Dimensional Standards
Development within the OC: Office Commercial district must adhere to specific spatial requirements regarding lot size, setbacks, and density.
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum Lot Area | 10,000 square feet |
| Maximum Density | 36 dwelling units per acre |
| Minimum Setback: Freeway/Frontage Road | 20 feet |
| Minimum Setback: All Other Streets | 10 feet |
| Minimum Setback: Side and/or Rear | 0 feet |
| Minimum Setback: Adjacent to Single-Family | 20 feet |
| Maximum Building Height | No limit (except near single-family) |
| Maximum Lot Coverage | N/A |
Height Note: While the City of Arlington does not set a general maximum height for the OC: Office Commercial district, buildings cannot exceed 45 feet in height within the first 75 feet of a shared property line with a single-family residential use. Beyond 75 feet, height is limited to a 1:1 ratio (one foot of height for every one foot of distance from the residential property line) [Section 4.1.7.E].
Allowed Uses in the OC: Office Commercial District
Uses in the City of Arlington are classified as Permitted by Right (P), requiring a Specific Use Permit (S), or subject to Supplemental Use Standards (*).
Residential and Group Living
- Dwelling, Multi-family (P*): Subject to multi-family development plans and location exceptions near high-impact uses [Section 3.2.1.A].
- Independent Senior Living Facility (P*): Subject to specific unit size and common area requirements [Section 3.2.1.B].
- Lodging House / Private Dorm (P*): Subject to minimum lot area per occupant [Section 3.2.1.B].
Public, Institutional, and Civic Uses
- Art Gallery or Museum (P)
- Domestic Violence Shelter (P)
- Government Administration and Civic Buildings (P)
- Philanthropic Institution (P)
- Religious Assembly (P)
- Business School (P)
- Public or Private School (P)
- University / College / Seminary (S)
- Medical or Dental Office or Clinic (P)
- Cemetery (S)
- Community Garden (P)
- Public Park or Playground (P)
Commercial and Service Uses
- Office, Business or Professional (P*)
- Telemarketing Call Center (P)
- Bank or Financial Institution (P*)
- Alternative Financial Institution (S*): Subject to distancing requirements from other such institutions (1,000 feet) and residential lots (200 feet) [Section 3.2.3.C].
- Restaurant (P)
- Restaurant, Take-out and Delivery Only (P)
- Restaurant with Drive-through (S)
- Veterinary Clinic (P*): Limited to 5,000 square feet per space in the OC: Office Commercial district [Section 3.2.3.A].
- Day Care Center (P*): Must be at least 300 feet from a gas wellhead [Section 3.2.3.L].
- Hotel, Luxury or Convention (P*): Subject to chain scale ratings and specific design standards [Section 3.2.3.E].
- Mixed-Use Development or Building (P*): Requires a Mixed-Use Development Plan [Section 3.2.3.K].
- General Retail Store (P)
- Medical or Scientific Research Laboratory (P)
- Small Box Discount Store (S*): Must be located at least 1.5 miles from another small box discount store [Section 3.2.3.I].
Utilities and Energy Systems
- Electric Utility Substation (S)
- Utility Lines, Towers, or Metering Station (P)
- Telecommunication Facilities (P*/S*): Building-mounted and towers up to 75 feet are permitted by right; taller towers require an SUP [Section 3.1.5.B].
Prohibited Uses
If a use is not explicitly listed as Permitted (P) or requiring an SUP (S) in the City of Arlington's use tables for the OC: Office Commercial district, it is prohibited. Major prohibited categories include:
- Industrial Uses: Heavy and light manufacturing, salvage yards, asphalt/concrete plants, and food processing.
- Automotive Uses: Auto service centers, major repair shops, car washes, and motor vehicle sales (new or used).
- Wholesale and Storage: Distribution centers, warehouses, self-storage facilities, and cold storage plants.
- Specific Commercial Uses: Bars, nightclubs, game rooms, tattoo parlors, and sexually oriented businesses.
- Agricultural Uses: Animal and crop production.
Off-Street Parking Requirements
The City of Arlington requires off-street parking for the OC: Office Commercial district based on the specific use type.
| Use Type | Minimum Parking Requirement |
|---|---|
| Office, Business or Professional | 2.5 spaces per 1,000 sq. ft. GFA |
| General Retail Store | 3.0 spaces per 1,000 sq. ft. GFA |
| Bank / Financial Institution | 2.5 spaces per 1,000 sq. ft. GFA |
| Medical / Dental Clinic | 4.0 spaces per 1,000 sq. ft. GFA |
| Restaurant | 10.0 spaces per 1,000 sq. ft. GFA |
Sections Cited
- Section 2.3.3: Office Commercial | OC
- Section 3.1.5: Table of Allowed Uses – Non-residential and Mixed-Use Districts
- Section 3.2.1: Residential Supplemental Use Standards
- Section 3.2.3: Commercial Supplemental Use Standards
- Section 4.1.7: Special Height Limitations in Non-Residential Zoning Districts
- Section 5.4.3: Off-Street Parking Schedule A