Commercial Market Resiliency Initiative
Removing regulatory barriers to achieve market solutions.
The Commercial Market Resiliency Initiative is a strategy to modernize Arlington’s regulations, practices, and processes to ensure a nimbler response to economic shifts. By removing regulatory barriers and constraints, the County seeks to enable market-based solutions to address the commercial building supply, specifically repositioning and converting obsolete inventory.
Since 2022, the County has established new and shifting uses for commercial spaces to increase opportunities for businesses. For details, see the lists of in-progress and completed studies below.
The second phase of this initiative, known as CMRI 2.0, will focus on five strategic areas: office conversion, repositioning, redevelopment, tenant support, and placemaking. The County has identified specific workstreams for staff, so they can act quickly to address all strategic areas simultaneously. The County will engage with the community as appropriate for each area to solicit input and feedback on how we are approaching this important issue.
Strategic Updates to Arlington's Sign Regulations
On March 14, 2026, the County Board adopted amendments to the Arlington County Zoning Ordinance (ACZO) Article 13, Signs, and Chapter 17. Miscellaneous of the Arlington County Code Section 17-1, to support both the public and the County’s economic well-being, which aligns with the Commercial Market Resiliency Initiative (CMRI) goals and objectives. These proposed amendments represent the second phase of strategic updates to sign regulations under the CMRI. Amendments included:
- Greater flexibility for types, size, and number of signs allowed in Multiple-family (RA) districts.
- Provision for certain signs (like digital scoreboards and interactive pedestrian kiosks) that may include automatic changeable copy and off-premise advertising (i.e. advertising for businesses not immediately on the premises) within Public districts and on publicly-owned property.
- Changes to size and timing standards for automatic changeable copy signs.
Adaptive Reuse
Key to CMRI 2.0 is an effort to address rising office vacancy rates and falling office values while reshaping the future of commercial real estate. On November 16, 2024, the Arlington County Board adopted a policy on transforming outdated office buildings into vibrant, multi-use spaces. This adaptive reuse initiative positions Arlington as a leader in tackling urban challenges with forward-thinking solutions, fostering economic growth and community vibrancy.
Studies in Progress
Major/Minor Site Plan Amendments and Administrative Changes
On Hold
The purpose of this study is to evaluate potential updates to §15.5.3., which governs modifications to approved site plans. The study would identify options for scaling the site plan amendment and administrative change process to better match the applicant's desired degree of change with the time it takes to obtain approval. The desired outcome will be greater certainty and predictability on the expected time frames and outcomes for site plan amendment and administrative change applications.
Learn more on the Zoning Studies webpage.
Self-Storage
On-Hold
Tentative Completion Date: 2026–2027
Self-service storage is currently permitted in a limited capacity in the ACZO, and this study proposes to explore the potential applicability of this use for available space like vacant offices and garages. Currently, though this use is considered a retail, service, and commercial use, it is only permitted by right in the ACZO’s Industrial districts and with special exception approval in the C-TH Commercial Town Home District. The study would analyze the potential impacts of expanding self-service storage further into mixed-use, urban areas.
Schedule
- May 18, 2024: County Board Request to Advertise (RTA)
- Initially advertised with County Board consideration no earlier than September 2024.
- County Board action now not anticipated until 2026-2027.
- No additional public meetings have been scheduled to date for this study.
Live/Work
On-Hold
Tentative Completion Date: 2026–2027
The purpose of this study is to research how an expanded concept of live/work units can be further incorporated in the ACZO to allow for added flexibility, and whether standards, especially regarding parking, are appropriate. Staff will also consider Building Code implications associated with the proposed live/work use expansion. Additionally, staff will investigate how such proposed amendments would interact with current regulations for home occupations.
Staff Contact
Marc McCauley, AED
703-228-0835
Schedule
- May 18, 2024: County Board Request to Advertise (RTA)
- Initially advertised with County Board consideration no earlier than September 2024.
- County Board action now not anticipated until 2026–2027.
- No additional public meetings have been scheduled to date for this study.
Completed Studies
More information on the following studies related to the CMRI can be found on the Zoning Ordinance Amendments page.
2024
- ZOA-2024-01 (Compact parking spaces exemption; parking for athletic & health clubs): Adopted April 20, 2024
- ZOA-2024-02 (Shared parking and off-site parking): Adopted May 21, 2024
- ZOA-2024-03 (Outdoor visual entertainment): Adopted May 18, 2024
- ZOA-2024-04 (C-O Rosslyn Provisions for Additional Density): Adopted July 22, 2024
- ZOA-2024-09 (Adaptive Reuse Policy and Zoning Ordinance Amendment): Adopted November 16, 2024
2023
- ZOA-2023-01(Colleges/Universities, Animal boarding, Urban agriculture, Artisan Manufacturing (Beverage; Workshop)): Adopted January 21, 2023
- ZOA-2023-04 (Indoor Recreation): Adopted April 22, 2023
- ZOA-2023-06 (Research & development flex; Audio-visual/broadcast): Adopted May 13, 2023
- ZOA-2023-08 (Food delivery; Ghost kitchens; Shared commercial kitchens): Adopted June 10, 2023
2022
- ZOA-2022-03 (Micro-fulfillment Centers): Adopted October 15, 2022
Additional Resources
More information about the Commercial Market Resiliency Initiative (CMRI) can be found below: