Retail and Commercial Shopping Center Zoning in Arlington
In the City of Arlington, general retail stores are permitted by right in all non-residential and mixed-use zoning districts, including the Limited Office (LO) and Industrial Manufacturing (IM) districts. Large-scale commercial shopping centers and regional malls are specifically prioritized in the Community Commercial (CC), Neighborhood Mixed-Use (NMU), and Regional Mixed-Use (RMU) districts. Most retail developments in the City of Arlington are required to provide 3 off-street parking spaces per 1,000 square feet of gross floor area [Section 5.4.3].
Permitted Zoning Districts for Retail Uses
The City of Arlington Unified Development Code categorizes retail permissions primarily within the non-residential and mixed-use district tables. While "General retail stores" are widely permitted, certain specialized retail types, such as "Small box discount stores," require a Specific Use Permit (SUP) in most districts [Section 3.1.5].
| Zoning District | District Type | General Retail Store Permission | Shopping Center Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Limited Office (LO) | Non-Residential | Permitted (P) | No |
| Office Commercial (OC) | Non-Residential | Permitted (P) | No |
| Neighborhood Commercial (NC) | Non-Residential | Permitted (P) | Small-scale |
| Community Commercial (CC) | Non-Residential | Permitted (P) | Yes (Community/Regional) |
| General Commercial (GC) | Non-Residential | Permitted (P) | Yes (Freestanding/Arterial) |
| Highway Commercial (HC) | Non-Residential | Permitted (P) | Yes (Regional/Highway) |
| Downtown Business (DB) | Non-Residential | Permitted (P) | Yes (Central Business District) |
| Business Park (BP) | Non-Residential | Permitted (P) | No |
| Flex Hybrid (FH) | Non-Residential | Permitted (P) | No |
| Light Industrial (LI) | Non-Residential | Permitted (P) | No |
| Industrial Manufacturing (IM) | Non-Residential | Permitted (P) | No |
| Neighborhood Mixed-Use (NMU) | Mixed-Use | Permitted (P) | Yes (Suburban Centers) |
| Regional Mixed-Use (RMU) | Mixed-Use | Permitted (P) | Yes (Regional Malls) |
Core Districts for Shopping Centers
Community Commercial (CC) District
The Community Commercial (CC) district is specifically established to provide sites for community and regional retail shopping centers. These centers typically contain a wide variety of establishments, including retail stores, restaurants, and personal services. The City of Arlington generally intends for these developments to be located at the nodal intersections of two arterial streets [Section 2.3.5].
Neighborhood Mixed-Use (NMU) District
The Neighborhood Mixed-Use (NMU) district encourages the redevelopment of traditional suburban commercial centers into higher-density, urban-scale districts. These areas are intended to include grocery stores, drug stores, and other retail facilities that support surrounding neighborhoods. NMU centers are generally between 5 and 20 acres in size [Section 2.3.12].
Regional Mixed-Use (RMU) District
The Regional Mixed-Use (RMU) district is designed for large-scale regional centers, such as regional shopping malls and major economic generators. These centers are intended to be distinctive in character and are typically at least 20 acres in size. They must be located in areas with a transportation network capable of accommodating concentrated development [Section 2.3.13].
Technical Development Standards
Retail and commercial developments in the City of Arlington must adhere to specific lot dimensions, setbacks, and parking requirements.
Dimensional Standards for Primary Retail Districts
| Standard | Community Commercial (CC) | Neighborhood Commercial (NC) | Regional Mixed-Use (RMU) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Min. Lot Area | 10,000 sq. ft. | 5,000 sq. ft. | 10,000 sq. ft. |
| Front Setback (Freeway) | 20 ft. | 20 ft. | 12 ft. min / 24 ft. max |
| Front Setback (Other) | 10 ft. | 10 ft. | 10 ft. min / 20 ft. max |
| Side Setback | 0 ft.* | 0 ft.* | 0 ft. min / None max* |
| Rear Setback | 0 ft.* | 0 ft.* | 0 ft. min / None max* |
*Note: Setbacks increase to 20 feet when the property is adjacent to single-family residential uses [Sections 2.3.4, 2.3.5, 2.3.13].
Off-Street Parking Requirements
Retail uses are subject to the following parking ratios established in Off-Street Parking Schedule A and Schedule B [Section 5.4.3].
| Use Type | Parking Requirement |
|---|---|
| General Retail Store | 3 per 1,000 sq. ft. GFA |
| Small Box Discount Store | 3 per 1,000 sq. ft. GFA |
| Furniture/Appliance Sales | 2 per 1,000 sq. ft. GFA |
| Building/Lumber Sales | Schedule B (varies by indoor/outdoor area) |
| Bicycle Parking | 5% of required automobile spaces |
Sections Cited
- Section 2.3.4: Neighborhood Commercial | NC
- Section 2.3.5: Community Commercial | CC
- Section 2.3.12: Neighborhood Mixed-Use | NMU
- Section 2.3.13: Regional Mixed-Use | RMU
- Section 3.1.5: Table of Allowed Uses
- Section 5.4.3: Off-Street Parking Standards
- Section 5.4.11: Bicycle Parking
- Section 12.3.3: Definitions of General Land Use Categories (Commercial Uses)