Arlington County Reduces Parking Requirements for Multi-Family Developments on Metro Corridors

In addition to reducing parking requirements to 0.2 to 0.6 spaces per unit for developments "approved by special exception," the board went a step further by requiring mitigations if developers provide more than 1.65 spaces per unit.

3 minute read

November 30, 2017, 5:00 AM PST

By Irvin Dawid


Arlington Virginia

f11photo / Shutterstock

Arlington County has joined a regional movement toward lowering, if not eliminating, off-street parking requirements for multifamily developments that are located along its two major transit corridors, Rosslyn-Ballston and Jefferson Davis Metro. New developments that already have a low 0.8 space per market-rate unit parking requirement can now become more affordable with fewer required parking spaces when "approved by special exception," according to the County Board's news release on Nov. 18.

“These guidelines reflect the fact that the increase in transportation options in our Metro corridors means that some new developments will require less parking,” Arlington County Board Chair Jay Fisette said. 

Parking ratios are based on distance from the nearest Metro station entrance and are further reduced for affordable units due to data from the Arlington Choice Voucher Program and 2015 Arlington Resident Transportation Survey that show that lower income residents are less likely to own motor vehicles. [See slide 16 in staff presentation [pdf].

"Reductions of up to 50 percent of the minimum parking ratios will be granted in exchange for elements such as transit infrastructure, expanded bike parking, bike share, and/or car-share amenities on site," according to the news release.

Should developers wish to provide "excess parking," i.e., above 1.65 spaces per unit in the corridor, mitigations will be required, either:

  • Tandem or mechanical stacker parking configuration, or
  • Mitigation contribution of $3,060 per space per year for 30 years to be used to support Arlington County programs that encourage the use of biking, walking, transit, and car sharing in project vicinity.

"'Keeping excess parking . . . has really high costs for the county,' said Katie Cristol (D), the board’s vice chair, who described the change as 'not a cudgel, but a series of carrots,'" reports  Nov. 24  "We’re not trying to badger anybody into a lifestyle that doesn’t match their needs.

However, the guidelines didn't go over well with many in attendance at the Nov. 18 County Board meeting who appeared to perceive that the change would result in no parking rather than reduced parking provided for tenants, writes Sullivan.

“Please do not discourage young families and parents with kids from living in this area by encouraging a ‘car-free diet’ to an extreme,” said Puja Valiyil, 35, a mother of four.

Speaking in support was Cheryl Cort, policy director for the Coalition for Smarter Growth, who "said that reducing the number of required parking places will give developers and residents 'better choices.'" writes Sullivan.

For more information on the new guidelines, see Nov. 16 county manager recommendation [pdf].

Other jurisdictions in the Washington metropolitan area lowering parking requirements cited by Sullivan:

  • The District of Columbia last year rezoned minimum parking requirements for multifamily residences in many areas and reduced parking minimums close to Metro or bus routes in other parts of the city to less than one space for every five units. 
  • Fairfax County, Va. limited the maximum number of parking spots at buildings within a quarter-mile of Metro stations in Tysons Corner seven years ago, and is considering lowering the minimum parking requirements near other transit stations.
  • In Montgomery County, Md., multifamily buildings must provide one parking space per bedroom, but less parking is required for affordable units and age-restricted buildings.
  • Prince George’s County, Md., is working on a proposal to remove all minimum parking requirements for buildings near certain regional transit zone.
Hat tip to Jay Warner.

Friday, November 24, 2017 in The Washington Post

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Metrorail train pulling into newly opened subterranean station in Washington, D.C. with crowd on platform taking photos.

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”

The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

June 2, 2025 - The Hill

Large crowd on street in San Francisco, California during Oktoberfest festival.

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns

In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

June 2, 2025 - Robbie Silver

Man in teal shirt opening door to white microtransit shuttle with cactus graphics and making inviting gesture toward the camera.

Albuquerque’s Microtransit: A Planner’s Answer to Food Access Gaps

New microtransit vans in Albuquerque aim to close food access gaps by linking low-income areas to grocery stores, cutting travel times by 30 percent and offering planners a scalable model for equity-focused transit.

June 13 - U.S. Department Of Transportation

Group of people at table set ouf with picnic food on street during a neighborhood block party.

This City Will Pay You to Meet Your Neighbors

A North Kansas City grant program offers up to $400 for residents to throw neighborhood block parties.

June 13 - The Kansas City Star

Crowd gathered with protest signs on April 5, 2025 on steps of Minnesota state capitol protesting Trump cuts to social security and other federal programs.

Commentary: Our Silence Will Not Protect Us

Keeping our heads down and our language inoffensive is not the right response to the times we’re in. Solidarity and courage is.

June 13 - Shelterforce Magazine