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
Strategic Amendments to Sign Regulations - Phase 2 March 2026 In-Progress
Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging May 2026 In-Progress
Low Residential Study (LRS)  Fall 2026  In-Progress
Classes/Instruction in Places of Worship To Be Determined  On Hold
Major/Minor Site Plan Amendments and Administrative Changes To Be Determined On Hold


Studies in Progress

Strategic Amendments to Sign Regulations - Phase 2

The purpose of this study is to consider, among other things, proposed amendments primarily focused on off-premise advertising within the public right of way including, but not limited to, sidewalk signs.   

The proposed amendments to selected sign regulations are meant to support both the public and the County’s economic wellbeing, which aligns well with Commercial Market Resiliency Initiative goals and objectives. The proposed amendments stem from conversations during the first phase of amendments to sign regulations as well as on-going engagement opportunities. 


Staff Contact 
Jill Hunger 
703-228-0832


Study Resources 


Schedule

 

Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging

Provide feedback on this zoning study 

This zoning study will evaluate and consider amendments to the ACZO related to electric vehicle (EV) charging. EVs and their associated charging equipment have enjoyed widespread deployment in recent years, but the ACZO has not been modernized to account for EV's unique needs. For example, EV chargers are categorized as structures, and the ACZO generally prohibits structures within required setbacks. In situations where parking spaces are located within a required street setback, EV chargers cannot be sited where cars will be parked.

To support the growing market for EVs, this study will seek to clarify applicable requirements and remove unreasonable restrictions for installing EV charging infrastructure. These objectives are aligned with the County’s Community Energy Plan (CEP), which calls for the County to “promote and encourage electric vehicles in the private and commercial sectors including supporting convenient charging stations throughout Arlington”. The study's desired outcome is to enable EV charging installations in a predictable, functional, and context-appropriate manner across a variety of development types.

Staff Contact
Emily Nachbar
703-228-3557

Study Resources 

 

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. 

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.

 

 

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 2026 can be found on the Zoning Ordinance Amendments page.

  • ZOA-2026-01 (Fort Myer Heights North Special District): Adopted January 24, 2026

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