Zoning Studies

The Arlington County Zoning Ordinance (ACZO) contains the land-use regulations for all land in the County. From time to time the ACZO is amended to ensure that land use and development regulations meet the needs and goals of the community. Amendments commonly begin with a zoning study, which examines various standards and regulations (ex: zoning districts, uses, setback, etc.).

Study Name Tentative Completion Date Status
FBC-39 | N-FBC-25 - Columbia Pike Neighborhoods Form Based Codes: Phased Development Use Permit; Administration July 2025 In-Progress
ZOA-2025-02 - Commercial Market Resiliency Initiative: Sign Regulation Updates July 2025 In-Progress
Classes/Instruction in Places of Worship To Be Determined  In-Progress 
Low Residential Study (LRS) Fall 2026 Initiated
Major/Minor Site Plan Amendments and Administrative Changes To Be Determined On Hold


Studies in Progress

Columbia Pike Form Based Codes: Phased Development Use Permit (PDUP); Administration

The purpose of this study is to identify amendments for the Columbia Pike Neighborhoods Form Based Code (N-FBC) to enable a Phased Development Use Permit (PDUP) tool. The amendments would include changes to the N-FBC text under Section 205 (Modifications), Section 505 (Sidewalk and Landscape Standards), and Section 902 (Affordable Housing Requirements) to provide flexibility for the delivery of streetscape and affordable housing requirements.

The amendments would also include changes to the N-FBC and Commercial Centers Form Based Code (FBC) to update the Administration regulations found in each code to address changes in the submission requirements and review processes.


Staff Contacts

Olivia Sontag
703-228-3541

Matt Mattauszek
703-228-0493


Schedule

 

 

Commercial Market Resiliency Initiative: Sign Regulation Updates

This study is part of the Commercial Market Resiliency Initiative (CMRI). Its purpose is to consider, among other things, greater flexibility for: signs placed above a height of 40 feet; signs in C, M, and P districts and for public, civic, and institutional uses in all zoning districts; certain freestanding signs placed on retaining, screening, structural, or landscape planter walls for properties governed under site plans or Form Based Code use permits; and temporary signs, regulated under §13.16 of the Arlington County Zoning Ordinance, for construction and sale/leasing, including the removal of a permit requirement and accommodating street construction. 

The proposed amendments to selected sign regulations primarily for Arlington’s commercial districts, coupled with commensurate consideration of impacts and benefits to the broader public and to the County’s economic well-being, closely align with the Commercial Market Resiliency Initiative’s (CMRI) goals and objectives. The proposed amendments were developed with input from staff’s work with tenants, including both small and large businesses; feedback received from business-related stakeholders; staff’s continued application of the regulations and desire to improve clarity; and best practices.

 

Staff Contacts

Jill Hunger
703-228-0832

Deborah Albert
703-228-3533

Schedule

Classes/Instruction in Places of Worship

The purpose of this zoning study is to evaluate an amendment to the ACZO to allow third-party classes/instruction of limited sizes to operate in religious institutions. The current ACZO classifies classes/instruction such as arts, martial arts, wellness/fitness, music and dance as Retail, Personal Service uses, and these uses are not permitted in Residential (R), Multi-family (RA), Institutional (P), and certain Commercial (C) zoning districts.

Enabling these uses within places of worship could support opportunities for after-school programming for children and teenagers and on-site support and educational opportunities for vulnerable populations that could be unmet by the public and private sectors. Allowing classes/instruction uses could also support the continued financial viability of Arlington’s places of worship and provide a stepping stone for small businesses to grow and expand their services in a lower-cost rental space.


Staff Contact

Nory Flores
703-228-7054


Schedule

No public meetings have been scheduled to date for this study. Staff is currently scoping this zoning study, and anticipates briefing ZOCO in the 2nd half of 2025.

 

 

Low Residential Study (LRS)

Increased development trends like the replacement of small homes with larger homes, expansion of existing homes, and additions of outdoor features like patios, accessory buildings, and driveways have resulted in an increase of impervious surfaces in Residential (R) zoning districts. This result has gained attention due to the environmental impacts and the County’s ability to achieve stormwater management and tree canopy goals. Residential zoning districts cover approximately 70% of the County’s private land, and the development trends occurring in these areas will determine the County’s tree canopy and stormwater management outcomes.

The purpose of the Low Residential Study (LRS) is to evaluate and consider amendments to the ACZO to support better stormwater and tree canopy outcomes in low residential areas. Specifically, this study will analyze maximum allowable impervious surface limits for individual lots and consider whether to keep current lot coverage limits. Additionally, the study will consider whether to establish contiguous plantable area requirements, and whether to adjust existing placement (yard and setback) requirements. 

See the LRS webpage.

Staff Contacts

Nick Rogers
Community Planning, Housing and Development (CPHD)
703-228-0035

Aileen Winquist
Department of Environmental Services (DES)
703-228-3610

 Resources

 

 Schedule

Initial public engagement for the LRS is anticipated to begin in September 2025, with study completion targeted for Fall 2026. 

Major/Minor Site Plan Amendments and Administrative Changes

This amendment will 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.  


Staff Contacts

Krissy Walentisch
703-228-0037 

Nick Rogers
703-228-0035

Peter Schulz
703-228-0067


Study Resources

 

Schedule

No public meetings have been scheduled to date for this study. 

 

Completed Studies

More information on the following studies completed in 2025 can be found on the Zoning Ordinance Amendments page.

  • ZOA-2024-08 | FBC-36 | N-FBC-22 (Childcare in S-D District; Family Day Care Homes): Adopted January 28, 2025
  • FBC-37 | N-FBC-23 (Columbia Pike Form Based Codes: Technical Amendments): Adopted February 22, 2025
  • FBC-38 | N-FBC-24 (Barcroft Apartments MFDP Implementation): Adopted February 25, 2025
  • ZOA-2025-01 (Clarendon Revitalization District Height Map - concurrent with SP #479): Adopted May 10, 2025

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