Comprehensive Plan

(JPG, 1MB)

The Comprehensive Plan is one of the most important decision-making and priority-setting tools that is used by the County Board, Planning Commission and County Departments. The document guides coordinated development and sets high standards of public services and facilities in the County. Achieving Arlington’s vision is at the core of this plan.

The plan was established on August 27, 1960, and originally included five elements. The document has been amended over time and now includes eleven elements that touch on a wide-ranging set of community needs, including: land use, transportation networks, transportation modes, parking, historic preservation, affordable housing, sanitary sewer system, recycling, public spaces, natural resources, urban forestry, public art, community energy, water distribution, Chesapeake Bay preservation, and stormwater management.

Learn More

• Quick Reference to Arlington’s Comprehensive Plan: a one-page, at-a-glance look at the most basic information.
• Essential Guide to Arlington’s Comprehensive Plan(PDF, 8MB): a short, easy-to-read booklet that explains how the plan works and summarizes each element.
• Comprehensive Plan Goals and Objectives

Five-Year Review

As required by Virginia State Law, the plan is reviewed every five years:

• Five-Year Review of Arlington County's Comprehensive Plan: July 1, 2016 – June 30, 2022 Technical Report(PDF, 300KB)
• 2015-16 Summary of Amendments to Arlington’s Comprehensive Plan: A Five-Year Review
• General Land Use Plan (GLUP) Amendments (2016 – Present)(PDF, 186KB)
• Master Transportation Plan (MTP) Amendments (2016 – Present)(PDF, 238KB)

Comprehensive Plan Elements

• Affordable Housing Master Plan
• Chesapeake Bay Preservation Plan and Ordinance
• Community Energy Plan
• General Land Use Plan
• Historic Preservation Master Plan
• Master Transportation Plan
• Public Spaces Master Plan
  • Urban Forest Master Plan
  • Public Art Master Plan
  • Natural Resources Management Plan
• Recycling Program Implementation Plan | Map
• Sanitary Sewer System Master Plan
• Stormwater Master Plan
• Water Distribution Master Plan