Arlington County, VA · Arlington County Zoning Ordinance (ACZO)
R15-30T (ACZO §5.8) provides for low-rise townhouse development within Metro transit corridors, with by-right uses regulated as in the R-5 district (one-family, 5,000 sq ft lot, 35 ft height). Townhouse development is permitted by site plan at densities up to 15 units per acre, and up to 30 units per acre by special exception, with building heights up to 45 feet. It serves as a transition between higher-density and single-family areas.
Development standards in R15-30T
Maximum height
35 ft
Minimum lot size
5000 sq ft
Side setback
10 ft
Rear setback
25 ft
Up to 45 ft for townhouse/semidetached by site plan (ACZO §5.8)
Read from Arlington County Zoning Ordinance (ACZO), effective through 2026-06-13.
Permitted uses in R15-30T
AllowedOne-Family Detached Dwelling
AllowedReligious Institution Church, mosque, synagogue, or temple, by-right (ACZO §5.1.2)
AllowedRecovery Residence By-right, subject to §12.3.9 use standards
AllowedAccessory Dwelling Unit By-right with administrative permit (ACZO §12.9.2)
AllowedHome Occupation By-right, subject to §12.9.11 standards
ConditionalChild Care Center / Day Care Special exception / use permit (ACZO §12.4.1)
ConditionalSchool (Elementary/Middle/High) Special exception / use permit (ACZO §12.4.1)
ConditionalCollege or University Special exception / use permit (ACZO §5.1.2)
ConditionalCommunity Center or Library Special exception / use permit (ACZO §5.1.2)
ConditionalHospital Special exception / use permit (ACZO §12.4.2)
ConditionalPark, Playground, or Playfield Special exception / use permit (ACZO §5.1.2)
ConditionalBed & Breakfast Special exception / use permit (ACZO §12.5.3)
ConditionalMembership Club or Lodge Special exception / use permit (ACZO §12.5.13)
ConditionalGroup Home / Dormitory Special exception / use permit (ACZO §12.3.3, §12.3.6)
ConditionalOpen-Air Market (Retail Sales) Use permit; the County Board sets conditions at use permit approval, and no open-air market may be within 1,000 feet of another (ACZO §12.5.17). U in all eight R districts in the §12.5 retail sales use table.
AllowedMedical or Dental Office in an Existing One-Family Dwelling By-right on a transitional site in an existing one-family detached dwelling, provided the residential character of the dwelling is not changed (ACZO §12.8.3.A).
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.
ConditionalTownhouse By site plan up to 15 units/acre; up to 30 by special exception, height to 45 ft (ACZO §5.8)
ConditionalTwo-Family (Duplex/Semidetached) Special exception; sites abutting RA/C/M or on an arterial (ACZO §5.8.B)
ConditionalMedical or Dental Office/Clinic Special exception / use permit (ACZO §5.1.2, §12.5.16)
"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.
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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.