The phase 2 feedback form is live. Please share your feedback by September 27.
The Low Residential Study (LRS) Project Plan was published in September 2025. It details the study's background, rationale, objectives and approach to the challenges posed by increasing impervious area in residential neighborhoods.
The benchmarking report(PDF, 125KB) includes a review and summary of findings for the existing regulatory measures of other jurisdictions to limit impervious area and require minimum plantable areas, or green space. The benchmarking exercise was limited to ten jurisdictions, primarily located in Virginia, though a few out-of-state jurisdictions were also included to gain a broader perspective. The underlying assumption is that Arlington policymakers can make more informed and effective decisions based on the lessons learned from peers.
(PDF, 12MB)
The Phase One Open House Boards were used at two LRS open houses on October 20, 2025, and November 13, 2025.
(PDF, 3MB)
The Engagement Feedback Summary(PDF, 3MB) includes information and engagement metrics from the phase 1 process (August 2025-December 2025).
(PDF, 137KB)
The virtual open house was open from November 20, 2025, to December 21, 2025. You can view all virtual open house comments(PDF, 137KB) that were received during this time period.
This document contains all written correspondence(PDF, 4MB) received by the study team since the launch of the Low Residential Study until January 2026.
This presentation(PDF, 5MB), given to the Long Range Planning Committee of the Planning Commission on July 15, 2026, contextualized and presented options proposed for impervious area limits in Arlington's low density residential neighborhoods. On July 17, the study team published an online form for feedback on the limit options. This slide deck(PDF, 690KB) supplements the online feedback form with data analysis, comparisons to other jurisdictions, and more.
The test fits are diagrams of actual lots in Arlington illustrating the lower, middle, and upper impervious area limits. The diagrams show how much space would be available for buildings and other hard surfaces, utilities, and planting areas, and the estimated maximum tree canopy for each limit option. The diagrams also show older and newer homes with the impervious area limits. The test fits help visualize and compare how the three proposed limit options balance the study’s main goals: increasing tree canopy and improving stormwater management while allowing property owners flexibility in how they use and develop their lots.
Zoning District R-5
Zoning District R-6
Zoning District R-2-7
Zoning District R-10
Study Overview
Background
Objectives
Study Timeline
Study Engagement
Frequently Asked Questions
Study Documents