Arlington County, VA · Arlington County Zoning Ordinance (ACZO)
C-2 is a service commercial district providing expanded commercial uses, greater density and height than C-1 (ACZO §7.17). Height 45ft, FAR 1.5 for all other uses. Found along major corridors such as Columbia Pike and Lee Highway.
Development standards in C-2
Maximum FAR
1.5
Maximum height
45 ft
Read from Arlington County Zoning Ordinance (ACZO), effective through 2026-06-13.
AllowedAnimal Care / Veterinary Clinic By-right (ACZO §7.1.2)
AllowedResidential (Mixed-Use) Dwelling above commercial; lot area per RA8-18 (ACZO §7.17.B)
ConditionalMembership Club or Lodge Use permit (ACZO §7.1.2)
ConditionalLarge-Format Retail Use permit (ACZO §7.1.2)
ConditionalOpen-Air Market Use permit (ACZO §7.1.2)
ConditionalIndoor/Outdoor Recreation Some uses by use permit / site plan (ACZO §7.1.2)
AllowedSTR - Short-Term Rentals By-right (P) in the ACZO accessory use tables, subject to an accessory homestay permit issued by the zoning administrator (ACZO §12.9.12). Host must be the primary resident and present during the guest stay. Entire-home rentals (host absent) are not permitted.
"Conditional" means the use generally requires a public hearing or special-exception approval — a very different timeline and risk profile from a by-right permit.
This is the zone. What about the parcel?
Zone rules are the starting point — the answer for a specific property also depends on lot
size, overlays, existing improvements and site conditions. Run a free address lookup to see
what applies to one property.
Standards as recorded by ZoneScore: Arlington County Zoning Ordinance (ACZO), Effective June 13, 2026
Values are read from the Arlington County Zoning Ordinance (ACZO). Where a district allows more density through site plan approval than by right, both are shown -- they are very different entitlement paths.