Secondary Living Unit and Accessory Dwelling Parking Requirements in Arlington
In the City of Arlington, "Secondary Living Units" (a common form of Accessory Dwelling Unit) are explicitly exempt from the off-street parking requirements that apply to primary residential structures [Section 3.3.6.L]. However, the City of Arlington Unified Development Code distinguishes between these units and "Garage Apartments," which are required to provide one dedicated off-street parking space per dwelling unit [Table 5.4-1].
Defining Accessory Dwellings in the City of Arlington
The City of Arlington Unified Development Code classifies accessory residential structures into two primary categories, each with distinct standards and parking mandates.
Secondary Living Units
A Secondary Living Unit is defined by the City of Arlington as a second residential unit located on the same lot as a primary residence, providing independent provisions for living, sleeping, cooking, and sanitation [Section 12.3.5.N]. These units are intended for the exclusive use of family members or relatives and may not be rented or leased to outside parties [Section 12.3.5.N].
Garage Apartments
A Garage Apartment is a dwelling unit specifically designed or constructed as part of a private garage [Section 12.3.5.H]. Unlike Secondary Living Units, these are primarily permitted in higher-density residential districts and do not carry the same "family-only" occupancy restriction in their definition.
Off-Street Parking Standards
The City of Arlington Unified Development Code establishes specific parking ratios for different residential uses. While most residential uses require dedicated parking, the City of Arlington provides a specific exception for Secondary Living Units to encourage their utility for multi-generational housing.
| Accessory Use Type | Required Off-Street Parking Spaces | UDC Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Secondary Living Unit | None (Explicitly Exempt) | Section 3.3.6.L.1 |
| Garage Apartment | 1 space per dwelling unit | Table 5.4-1 |
| Primary Single-Family Detached | 2 spaces per dwelling unit | Table 5.4-1 |
According to Section 3.3.6.L.1 of the City of Arlington Unified Development Code, a Secondary Living Unit must meet all standards applied to the primary structure except for the requirement of a garage or carport, minimum gross living area, and off-street parking requirements.
District Permissibility and Approval
The requirement for a permit or a Specific Use Permit (SUP) for these accessory dwellings depends on the underlying zoning district within the City of Arlington.
| Zoning District | Secondary Living Unit | Garage Apartment |
|---|---|---|
| RE (Residential Estate) | Permitted (P*) | Not Permitted |
| RS-20, RS-15, RS-7.2 (Single-Family) | Permitted (P*) | Not Permitted |
| RS-5 (Single-Family) | Specific Use Permit (S*) | Not Permitted |
| RM-12 (Residential Medium-Density) | Specific Use Permit (S*) | Permitted (P*) |
| RMF-22 (Residential Multi-Family) | Specific Use Permit (S*) | Permitted (P*) |
| VG (Village on the Green) | Specific Use Permit (S*) | Not Permitted |
Note: An asterisk (*) indicates that supplemental use standards, such as those found in Section 3.3.6, apply to the development. [Table 3.3-1]
Usage and Occupancy Constraints
While the City of Arlington Unified Development Code provides a parking exemption for Secondary Living Units, it attaches strict occupancy and design conditions:
- Family Only: The unit is strictly for use by family members or relatives of the occupants of the primary residence [Section 12.3.5.N].
- No Rentals: The City of Arlington prohibits the renting or leasing of Secondary Living Units [Section 12.3.5.N].
- Building Count: Only one Secondary Living Unit is allowed per lot, and it counts toward the total maximum number of accessory buildings allowed on a lot [Section 3.3.6.L.3].
- Size Limitation: The unit must not contain more than one bedroom, one kitchen, and one bathroom [Section 3.3.6.L.2].
Sections Cited
- Section 3.3.4: Use Tables for Accessory Uses and Structures
- Section 3.3.6: Supplemental Accessory Use Standards
- Section 5.4.3: Off-Street Parking Standards
- Section 12.3.5: Definitions of General Use Categories and Specific Use Types