Commercial Market Resiliency Initiative
Removing regulatory barriers to achieve market solutions.
November 16 Update: Adaptive Reuse
In an effort to address rising office vacancy rates and falling office values while reshaping the future of commercial real estate, the Arlington County Board on Nov. 16, 2024, adopted a policy on transforming outdated office buildings into vibrant, multi-use spaces. This adaptive reuse initiative positions Arlington as a leader in tackling urban challenges with forward-thinking solutions, fostering economic growth and community vibrancy. Learn more.
The Commercial Market Resiliency Initiative is a strategy to modernize Arlington’s regulations, practices, and processes to ensure a more nimble response to economic shifts. By removing regulatory barriers and constraints, the County seeks to enable market-based solutions to address the commercial building supply, specifically repositioning and converting obsolete inventory.
Since 2022, the County has established new and shifting uses for commercial spaces to increase opportunities for businesses. See the chart below for details.
The second phase of this initiative, known as CMRI 2.0, will focus on five strategic areas: office conversion, repositioning, redevelopment, tenant support, and placemaking. The County has identified specific workstreams for staff, so they can act quickly to address all strategic areas simultaneously. The County will engage with the community as appropriate for each area to solicit input and feedback on how we are approaching this important issue.
| Study Name |
Tentative Completion Date |
Status |
| Major/Minor Site Plan Amendments and Administrative Changes |
2025 |
In-Progress |
| Sign Flexibility |
2025 |
In-Progress |
| Self-Storage |
2025 |
In-Progress |
| Live/Work |
2025 |
In-Progress |
Studies in Progress
Major/Minor Site Plan Amendments and Administrative Changes
The purpose of this study is to evaluate potential updates to §15.5.3., which governs modifications to approved site plans. The study would identify options for scaling the site plan amendment and administrative change process to better match the applicant's desired degree of change with the time it takes to obtain approval. The desired outcome will be greater certainty and predictability on the expected time frames and outcomes for site plan amendment and administrative change applications.
Learn more on the Zoning Studies webpage
Sign Flexibility
The purpose of this study is to consider greater flexibility for: signs above 40’ including, but not limited to, placement and height due to architectural elements or site elevation (topography), the size of signs, and the number of total signs; and an updated definition of freestanding signs.
Schedule
- April 20, 2024: County Board Request to Advertise (Page 11, Item #28) (RTA)
- Initially advertised with County Board consideration no earlier than September 2024.
- Staff is in process of rescoping with anticipated scope and schedule discussion anticipated in 2025.
- No additional public meetings have been scheduled to date for this study.
Self-Storage
Self-service storage is currently permitted in a limited capacity in the ACZO, and this study proposes to explore the potential applicability of this use for available space like vacant offices and garages. Currently, though this use is considered a retail, service, and commercial use, it is only permitted by right in the ACZO’s Industrial districts and with special exception approval in the C-TH Commercial Town Home District. The study would analyze the potential impacts of expanding self-service storage further into mixed-use, urban areas.
Schedule
- May 18, 2024: County Board Request to Advertise (RTA)
- Initially advertised with County Board consideration no earlier than September 2024.
- County Board action now not anticipated until 2025.
- No additional public meetings have been scheduled to date for this study.
Live/Work
The purpose of this study is to research how an expanded concept of live/work units can be further incorporated in the ACZO to allow for added flexibility, and whether standards, especially regarding parking, are appropriate. Staff will also consider Building Code implications associated with the proposed live/work use expansion. Additionally, staff will investigate how such proposed amendments would interact with current regulations for home occupations.
Staff Contact
Marc McCauley, AED
703-228-0835
Schedule
- May 18, 2024: County Board Request to Advertise (RTA)
- Initially advertised with County Board consideration no earlier than September 2024.
- County Board action now not anticipated until 2025.
- No additional public meetings have been scheduled to date for this study.
Completed Studies
More information on the following studies related to the CMRI can be found on the Zoning Ordinance Amendments page.
2024
- ZOA-2024-01 (Compact parking spaces exemption; parking for athletic & health clubs): Adopted April 20, 2024
- ZOA-2024-02 (Shared parking and off-site parking): Adopted May 21, 2024
- ZOA-2024-03 (Outdoor visual entertainment): Adopted May 18, 2024
- ZOA-2024-04 (C-O Rosslyn Provisions for Additional Density): Adopted July 22, 2024
- ZOA-2024-09 (Adaptive Reuse Policy and Zoning Ordinance Amendment): Adopted November 16, 2024
2023
- ZOA-2023-01(Colleges/Universities, Animal boarding, Urban agriculture, Artisan Manufacturing (Beverage; Workshop)): Adopted January 21, 2023
- ZOA-2023-04 (Indoor Recreation): Adopted April 22, 2023
- ZOA-2023-06 (Research & development flex; Audio-visual/broadcast): Adopted May 13, 2023
- ZOA-2023-08 (Food delivery; Ghost kitchens; Shared commercial kitchens): Adopted June 10, 2023
2022
- ZOA-2022-03 (Micro-fulfillment Centers): Adopted October 15, 2022
Additional Resources
More information about the Commercial Market Resiliency Initiative (CMRI) can be found below: