RMU Regional Mixed-Use District Setback Requirements in the City of Arlington
In the RMU: Regional Mixed-Use district within the City of Arlington, front setbacks are established as a range (or "build-to-line"), requiring structures to be placed between 10 and 20 feet from a public street, or between 12 and 24 feet when fronting an interstate. Side and rear interior setbacks are generally 0 feet, providing flexibility for compact urban development, though a 20-foot buffer is mandated when the property is adjacent to a single-family residential district. Additionally, the City of Arlington prohibits the placement of surface parking lots or driving aisles between the building and the street in this district.
Technical Setback Standards for the RMU District
Development in the City of Arlington RMU: Regional Mixed-Use district must adhere to specific "min./max." standards. These standards are designed to ensure buildings are pulled close to the street to create a pedestrian-friendly environment while accommodating varied thoroughfare types [Section 2.3.13.D].
| Boundary and Street Type | Minimum Setback | Maximum Setback |
|---|---|---|
| Street Front (Interstate or State Highway) | 12 feet | 24 feet |
| Street Front (Public Street, Private Access Easement, or Alley) | 10 feet | 20 feet |
| Street Rear (Public Street) | 10 feet | None |
| Street Rear (Private Access Easement or Alley) | 5 feet | None |
| Interior (Side and/or Rear) | 0 feet | None |
| Adjacent to Single-Family (Side and/or Rear) | 20 feet | 20 feet |
Mixed-Use Design and Site Organization
The RMU: Regional Mixed-Use district is subject to specialized site design standards that modify how these setbacks are applied to ensure a cohesive "street wall."
Build-to-Line Requirements
In the City of Arlington RMU: Regional Mixed-Use district, a minimum of 60 percent of the total building street frontage along a major arterial must be located exactly at the minimum front setback line. The remaining 40 percent of the frontage may be set back further than the minimum to allow for architectural variety or plazas [Section 5.7.4.A].
Prohibited Uses within Setbacks
Setback areas in the RMU: Regional Mixed-Use district are intended for use by pedestrians. The City of Arlington requires these areas to be occupied by sidewalks, landscaping, outdoor dining, or street amenities. Surface parking lots, off-street parking spaces, and associated driving aisles are strictly prohibited between the building and the street [Section 5.7.4.C].
Architectural Encroachments
To promote high-quality design, certain architectural features are permitted to encroach up to five feet into the required setback area of a City of Arlington RMU: Regional Mixed-Use property. These features include:
- Stairs, stoops, and porches.
- Awnings and overhangs (provided they maintain nine feet of vertical clearance).
- Bay windows (provided they are no more than 10 feet wide and maintain 10 feet of vertical clearance).
- Tower elements, chimneys, and pilasters [Section 5.7.4.B].
Adjacency to Residential Districts
When a non-residential or mixed-use development in the RMU: Regional Mixed-Use district is located adjacent to a residential use or vacant land zoned for residential use, the developer is responsible for installing required screening and buffering [Section 5.3.1.B]. For the RMU: Regional Mixed-Use district, the City of Arlington requires a "Level 2" or "Level 3" screening depending on the specific structure type and stories of the subject property [Section 5.3.1.D].
Sections Cited
- Section 2.3.13, Non-Residential and Mixed-Use Districts (RMU)
- Section 4.1.6, Setbacks
- Section 5.3.1, Residential Screening and Buffering
- Section 5.4.4, Special Parking Requirements in Certain Zoning Districts
- Section 5.7.4, Site Design and Building Organization (Mixed-Use Design Standards)