Short-Term Rentals and Bed and Breakfasts in the City of Arlington
In the City of Arlington, short-term rentals are permitted as a temporary use but are strictly confined to a designated "STR Zone" within single-family residential districts, while multi-family districts allow them city-wide subject to density caps. Bed and breakfast inns are allowed in most residential districts by Specific Use Permit and in several mixed-use districts by right, provided they adhere to guest room limits and parking requirements. All such lodging operations in the City of Arlington must obtain valid permits and comply with specific supplemental use standards regarding occupancy duration and building types [Section 3.2.3.E, Section 3.4.5.E].
Bed and Breakfast Inns in the City of Arlington
The City of Arlington defines a Bed and Breakfast Inn as a house where short-term lodging and meals are provided, and the record owner of the property resides on-site [Section 12.3.3.F.1].
Permitted Districts and Approval Types
Bed and Breakfast Inns are categorized differently based on the underlying zoning of the City of Arlington. In residential areas, they generally require a Specific Use Permit (SUP), whereas they are permitted by right in higher-intensity mixed-use areas.
| Zoning District Type | Specific Districts | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Districts | RE, RS-20, RS-15, RS-7.2, RS-5, RM-12, RMF-22, VG | Specific Use Permit (S/S*) |
| Office Districts | LO, OC | Specific Use Permit (S*) |
| Mixed-Use/Downtown | DB, NMU, RMU | Permitted by Right (P*) |
Note: Asterisks () indicate that supplemental use standards apply [Table 3.1-1, Table 3.1-2].*
Operational and Design Standards
All Bed and Breakfast Inns in the City of Arlington must comply with the following technical and operational limitations:
| Standard Category | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Guest Room Limit (DB, NMU, RMU) | Maximum 12 guest rooms |
| Guest Room Limit (All other districts) | Maximum 6 guest rooms |
| Cooking Facilities | Prohibited in individual guest rooms |
| Maximum Occupancy Duration | Limited to one month in any three-month period |
| Parking Requirement | 1 space per guest room, in addition to spaces required for the primary residence |
[Section 3.2.3.E.1, Table 5.4-1]
Short-Term Rentals (STRs) in the City of Arlington
Short-term rentals (STRs) are defined by the City of Arlington as residential premises used for lodging for a period of less than 30 consecutive days [Section 12.3.6.E].
The Short-Term Rental (STR) Zone
A critical restriction in the City of Arlington is the "STR Zone." This is a geographically contiguous area extending approximately one mile from the city’s entertainment hub. Its boundaries are defined as:
- North: E. Lamar Blvd.
- West: Center Street
- South: E. Abram Street
- East: Southbound State Highway 360 frontage road [Section 12.7.1].
STR Eligibility by Zoning District
The ability to operate an STR depends heavily on the district's classification and its location relative to the STR Zone.
| District Category | District Names | STR Permission Details |
|---|---|---|
| Single-Family Residential | RE, RS-20, RS-15, RS-7.2, RS-5 | Only allowed if located inside the STR Zone. |
| Multi-Family Residential | RM-12, RMF-22 | Allowed city-wide (subject to density caps). |
| Non-Residential / Mixed-Use | LO, OC, NC, CC, GC, HC, DB, BP, FH, LI, IM, NMU, RMU | Allowed city-wide only if the residential structure existed as of August 1, 2019. |
[Section 3.4.5.E]
Multi-Family Density Caps and Prohibitions
For multi-family properties in the City of Arlington, the number of units eligible for an STR permit is capped to prevent the over-concentration of temporary lodgings.
| Location Relative to STR Zone | Maximum STR Units Allowed |
|---|---|
| Inside the STR Zone | No more than 25 units or 15% of total units (whichever is greater) |
| Outside the STR Zone | No more than 25 units or 15% of total units (whichever is less) |
[Section 3.4.5.E.1]
Important Prohibitions:
- Non-Residential Zoning: Short-term rentals are strictly prohibited within mixed-use or multi-family residential developments that are located on properties with non-residential zoning [Section 3.4.5.E.1.f].
- Mobile Homes: HUD-Code Manufactured Homes and Mobile Homes are never eligible for short-term rental permits in the City of Arlington [Section 3.4.5.E.1.c].
Sections Cited
- Section 3.1.5: Table of Allowed Uses
- Section 3.2.3.E: Lodging Facilities (Supplemental Use Standards)
- Section 3.4.3: Use Tables for Temporary Uses
- Section 3.4.5.E: Short Term Rental (Supplemental Temporary Use Standards)
- Section 5.4.3: Off-Street Parking Standards
- Section 12.3.3.F: Lodging Facilities (Definitions)
- Section 12.3.6.E: Short-term Rental (Definitions)
- Section 12.7.1: Other Terms Defined (STR Zone)