General Land Use Plan : Planning Division : Arlington, Virginia

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General Land Use Plan

Adopted August 12, 1961 with amendments through December 10, 2011. This map and the following text are updated on a regular schedule to reflect all adopted amendments.


GLUP Map - [21 mb]	GLUP Booklet - [11mb]

Purpose and Scope of the General Land Use Plan

The General Land Use Plan (GLUP), consisting of this booklet and attached map, is the primary policy guide for the future development of the County. The Plan establishes the overall character, extent and location of various land uses and serves as a guide to communicate the policy of the County Board to citizens, the business community, developers and others involved in the development of Arlington County. In addition, the General Land Use Plan serves as a guide to the County Board in its decisions concerning future development. Each land use designation on the GLUP map indicates a range of densities and typical uses for that general location. An approval by the County Board of a development proposal anywhere within this range would be consistent with the County’s goals and vision. The higher end of that density range may not necessarily represent the vision for a specific location. When a development proposal substantially complies with County goals and policies, and is consistent with good zoning practice, the County Board may approve that development proposal at the higher end of that density range or above, as provided by the Zoning Ordinance.

The General Land Use Plan is one of several separate elements of Arlington County's Comprehensive Plan. Since its original adoption, the Comprehensive Plan has been continually updated and expanded and as of December 10, 2011, comprises the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Ordinance and Plan; the General Land Use Plan; the Master Transportation Plan (including eight sub-elements: Goals & Policies, Map, Bicycle, Pedestrian, Transportation Demand & System Management, Transit, Parking & Curbspace Management and Streets); the Public Spaces Master Plan (including three sub-elements: Urban Forest Master Plan, the Public Art Master Plan and Natural Resources Management Plan); the Historic Preservation Master Plan; the Recycling Program Implementation Plan; the Sanitary Sewer System Master Plan; the Storm Water Master Plan; and the Water Distribution System Master Plan.

ARLINGTON’S ORIGINS AND GOVERNMENTAL FRAMEWORK

PLANNING HISTORY AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE GENERAL LAND USE PLAN

DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH GOALS

AFFORDABLE HOUSING

SPECIAL PLANNING AREAS

SPECIAL PLANNING RESOLUTIONS AND POLICIES

SPECIAL PLANNING PROGRAMS

IMPLEMENTATION

REVIEWING AND AMENDING THE GENERAL LAND USE PLAN AND COMPREHENSIVE PLAN