Commercial Centers Form Based Code

The Commercial Centers Form Based Code (FBC) is an alternative zoning tool that applies to four commercial centers along Columbia Pike. The County Board adopted the Commercial Centers FBC in 2003.

New Commercial Centers FBC applications and amendments must be submitted online.

Zoning Ordinance Amendments

Amendments to the Commercial Centers Form Based Code, Approval Dates and Staff Reports

Visit the Zoning Ordinance Amendments webpage to view amendments, including the ones listed below. 

  • RTA FBC 38 - Feb. 22, 2025: Barcroft Implementation
  • RTA FBC 37 - Feb. 22, 2025: Technical  Amendments
  • RTA FBC 36 - Jan. 25, 2025: Childcare and Day Care Uses
  • FBC-35 - Feb. 24, 2024: Columbia Pike Green Building Updates
  • FBC-34 - Feb. 24, 2024: Elder Care Housing Affordability and Parking (Vehicles and Bicycles) Requirements
  • FBC-33 - Sept. 23, 2023: Elder Care Uses in Planning Districts; Pentagon City Coordinated Redevelopment District 
  • FBC-32 - July 15, 2023: Telecommunications; Fence/Wall Correction; Erroneous RBL
  • FBC-31 - June 10, 2023: Food delivery; Ghost kitchens; Shared commercial kitchens
  • FBC-30 - May 13, 2023: Research & development flex; Audio-visual/broadcast
  • FBC-29 - Apr. 22, 2023: Indoor Recreation
  • FBC-28 - Feb. 18, 2023: Town Center Regulating Plan Building Envelope Standard
  • FBC-27 - Jan. 21, 2023: Colleges/Universities, Animal boarding, Urban agriculture, Artisan Manufacturing
  • FBC-26 - Oct. 15, 2022: Micro-fulfillment Centers
  • FBC-25 – Nov. 13, 2021: Ground Story Uses 
  • FBC-24 – Dec. 16, 2017: Building Architecture and Placement
  • FBC-23 – Oct. 18, 2016: Administrative Regulations, Traffic and Street Lighting Specifications, Technical Adjustments
  • FBC-22 – June 18, 2016: ZOA-16-06; Sign Regulations
  • FBC-21 – March 12, 2016: Western Gateway Regulating Plan Required Building Lines
  • FBC-20 – Dec. 15, 2015: Allowable Ground Floor Uses and Civic Buildings
  • FBC-19 – Feb. 21, 2015: ZOA-15-1; Incorporation of a Use Classification System and Update Use Tables
  • FBC-18 – Nov. 15, 2014: Bicycle Parking Ratios: Vehicular Parking Ratios for Hotels, Clear Height Dimensions
  • FBC-17 – April 12, 2014: Historic Designation & District Boundary Change for 2400 Columbia Pike
  • FBC-16 – Jan. 26, 2013: Tree Calipers and Street Lights
  • FBC-15 – July 24, 2012: Sign Ordinance Amendment
  • FBC-14 – June 11, 2011: Open Air Markets
  • FBC-13 – April 16, 2011: New North-South Street Between 11th and 12th Streets South
  • FBC-12 – April 16, 2011: 32 Ft. Height Limit
  • FBC-11 – May 25, 2010: Stoops, Finished Floor Elevation, Clear Heights
  • FBC-10 – May 25, 2010: Corners
  • FBC-9 – April 27, 2010: ZOA-10-01; Vehicle Service Uses
  • FBC-8 – Jan. 23, 2010: Streetscapes and Street Tree List
  • FBC-7 – July 11, 2009: ZOA-09-06; Use Permits for Classes Providing Services to Children
  • FBC-6 – April 25, 2009: Signage
  • FBC-5 – April 19, 2008: Civic Buildings and Public Art
  • Jan. 26, 2008: Regulating Plans: Modification of RBLs on Dinwiddie Street
  • Dec. 15, 2007: Redraw “Columbia Pike Revitalization District” Boundary to include Arlington Mill Drive
  • Nov. 13, 2007: Regulating Plans: Realignment of South Highland Street
  • Nov. 14, 2006: Regulating Plans: Modify Street Width on South Glebe Road and Walter Reed Drive
  • May 20, 2006: Regulating Plans: Modify Street width on 9th Street South, South Garfield Street and 11th Street South
  • FBC-4 – Feb. 25, 2006: Revise Building Envelope Standards to Delete References to “Podiums”
  • FBC-3 – Dec. 10, 2005: Modify Historic Preservation Height “Bonus” to Retain Appropriate Tapering
  • FBC-2 – Nov. 15, 2005: Modify Definition for “Dormer”
  • FBC-1 – Sept. 17, 2005: Modify Clear Heights: Define “Open Contiguous Lot Area”
  • Feb. 7, 2004: Regulating Plans, Streetscape Standards, Master Transportation Plan, Bicycle Transportation Plan
  • Feb. 25, 2003: Adoption of the Neighborhoods Form Based Code

Approved Development Proposals

Development Proposals and Approval Dates

Fees

Fee Schedules provide the range of fees charged for each type of application or activity related to land development in Arlington. Fees cover permitting, plan review, enforcement, inspection, service delivery, performance agreements and conditions. There are separate fee schedules for Inspection Services Division (ISD), Zoning and the Department of Environmental Services (DES). Some permits involve fees from more than one schedule.