Overview
| res_sf | lot-size-encoded (RS-20, RS-15, RS-7.2, RS-5 — number = min lot size in 1000s sf; RS-7.2 = 7,200 sf) |
|---|---|
| res_mf | density-encoded (RM-12 = 12 du/ac max; RMF-22 = 22 du/ac max pre-SB 840) |
| com | letter-code (LO, OC, NC, CC, HC, BP, GC, DB) |
| ind | letter-code (LI, IM) |
| mu | letter-code (NMU, RMU) |
Standard Euclidean UDC with 12 Articles; residential districts in Article 2 §2.2.x, non-residential §2.3.x, overlays §2.4.x. Adopted 1987, UDC codification effective 2014-07-10, annual amendments. SB 840 compliance via Ord. 25-059 (2025-08-26).
- Two-MLB/NFL-stadium overlay: Entertainment District Overlay (EDO) §2.4.5 is a single 2,800-acre overlay encompassing AT&T Stadium (NFL), Globe Life Field (MLB), Choctaw Stadium, Six Flags, Hurricane Harbor, Texas Live!, and Esports Stadium Arlington. Density spread of 40 du/ac (single use) vs. 100 du/ac (mixed-use with >=15% second-use GFA) is the principal regulatory lever steering developers toward vertical mixed-use; 90% max lot coverage; 20 ft min building height; 3-story cap only when adjacent to single-family. Unique in study.
- Zoning + finance overlay co-extent: TIRZ #5 (Entertainment District) coincides with EDO §2.4.5 boundary; TIRZ #1 (Downtown) coincides with DB §2.3.8 + DNO §2.4.3 area. Arlington uses TIRZ funding pulls to incent compliance with overlay design standards — a coupling rarely as tight in other TX cities.
- Downtown daylight step-back: DNO §2.4.3.D requires any portion of a building taller than 50 ft to step back an additional 10 ft from the street. Most TX downtown overlays omit a daylight-plane / step-back rule; this is Arlington-distinctive.
+ 11 more in Quirks & notes
Districts
| Code | Name | Category | Min lot | Height | Coverage | FAR | Du/ac | Parking | Setbacks F/S/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RE | Residential Estate | res_sf | 43,560 sf[2] | 35 ft[3] | — | — | — | 2 | 25[1] / — / — |
| RS-20 | Residential Single-Family 20 | res_sf | 20,000 sf[5] | 35 ft[6] | — | — | — | 2 | 25[4] / — / — |
| RS-15 | Residential Single-Family 15 | res_sf | 15,000 sf[8] | 35 ft[9] | — | — | — | 2 | 20[7] / — / — |
| RS-7.2 | Residential Single-Family 7.2 | res_sf | 7,200 sf[10] | 35 ft[11] | — | — | — | 2 | 25 / 5 / 5 |
| RS-5 | Residential Single-Family 5 | res_sf | 5,000 sf[15] | 35 ft[16] | — | — | — | 2 | 25[12] / 5[13] / 5[14] |
| VG | Village on the Green | res_sf | — | 35 ft | — | — | — | 2 | — / — / — |
| RM-12 | Residential Medium Density 12 | res_mf | — | 35 ft | — | — | 12 | 2 | — / — / — |
| RMF-22 | Residential Multi-Family 22 | res_mf | — | 35 ft | — | — | 22[17] | 2 | — / — / — |
| TH | Townhouse | res_th | — | 35 ft | — | — | — | 2 | — / — / — |
| MH | Manufactured Housing | res_sf | — | 35 ft | — | — | — | 2 | — / — / — |
| LO | Limited Office | off | — | — | — | — | — | — | — / — / — |
| OC | Office Commercial | off | — | 45 ft | — | — | 36 | 1 | 25 / — / — |
| NC | Neighborhood Commercial | com | — | 45 ft | — | — | 36 | 1 | 25 / — / — |
| CC | Community Commercial | com | — | 45 ft | — | — | 36 | 1 | 25 / — / — |
| HC | Highway Commercial | com | — | 45 ft | — | — | 36 | 1 | 25 / — / — |
| BP | Business Park | com | — | 45 ft | — | — | 36 | 1 | 25 / — / — |
| GC | General Commercial | com | — | 45 ft | — | — | 36 | 1 | 25 / — / — |
| DB | Downtown Business | cbd | — | 45 ft[21] | — | — | 36[22] | 1 | 0[18] / 0[19] / 0[20] |
| LI | Light Industrial | ind | — | — | — | — | — | — | — / — / — |
| IM | Industrial Manufacturing | ind | — | — | — | — | — | — | — / — / — |
| NMU | Neighborhood Mixed Use | mu | — | 45 ft | — | — | 36 | 1 | 25 / — / — |
| RMU | Regional Mixed Use | mu | — | — | — | — | 100 | 1 | 25 / — / — |
Confidence: confirmed partial under review not found
Overlays
2,800-acre entertainment area in central Arlington encompassing AT&T Stadium (Dallas Cowboys, opened 2009), Globe Life Field (Texas Rangers, opened 2020), Choctaw Stadium (former Rangers, now XFL Renegades), Six Flags Over Texas, Hurricane Harbor, Esports Stadium Arlington, Texas Live!, Loews Arlington Hotel, Live! by Loews. Boundary per §2.4.5 Fig. 2.4.5-B; broadly bounded by IH-30 (north), Cooper St (east), Division St / Abram St (south), Collins St area (west).
| area_acres | 2800 |
|---|---|
| max_du_per_acre_single_use | 40[23] |
| max_du_per_acre_mixed_use | 100[24] |
| mixed_use_second_use_min_pct_gfa | 15 |
| mf_gla_per_unit_min_sf | {"efficiency": 600, "one_bed": 800, "two_bed": 950, "c": "c§2.4.5.C"} |
| min_building_height_ft | 20[25] |
| max_building_height_adjacent_to_sf | status: confirmed · note: 3 stories max when adjacent to single-family residential. |
| max_building_height_fronting_other_streets | N/A (no height cap when not adjacent to SF) |
| max_lot_coverage_pct | 90[26] |
| interior_setback | refer to base zoning district |
| street_setback | per §5.8.1.D Private Realm Design and Development Standards |
| mixed_use_eligible_base_zones | RM-12; RMF-22; any non-residential base zone |
| mu_townhouse_mf_by_right_in_mu_development | True |
| rm12_rmf22_nonres_use_restricted_to_rmu_list | True |
| parking_special_requirements_section | Article 5 special parking requirements apply in EDO (alongside NMU, RMU, DB, DNO, LCMUO) |
| design_review_layer | §5.8.1 EDO design and development standards |
| tirz_overlap | TIRZ #5 (Entertainment District TIRZ) overlaps EDO substantially — see TIRZ overlay records below. |
Downtown Arlington core (Center St / Abram St / Division St area) and University District near UTA
| tif_zone_number | 1 |
|---|---|
| focus_area | downtown core + UTA university district |
| tif_funding_mechanism | tax-increment financing — captures property tax increment above frozen base year to fund infrastructure, streetscape, plaza, parking improvements in the zone |
| interaction_with_zoning | TIRZ does NOT modify base zoning or overlay dimensional standards; it is a funding/financing overlay. However, projects within DB and DNO that draw TIRZ #1 funds typically meet enhanced streetfront design standards triggered by Project Plan / Project & Financing Plan requirements. |
Entertainment District — geographically coincides with EDO §2.4.5 boundary (2,800 acres around AT&T Stadium, Globe Life Field, Six Flags). Confirmed via existence of standing TIRZ #5 board agenda titled 'Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone Number Five Entertainment District'.
| tif_zone_number | 5 |
|---|---|
| focus_area | Entertainment District (AT&T Stadium, Globe Life Field, Choctaw Stadium, Six Flags, Texas Live!, Loews hotel campus) |
| tif_funding_mechanism | tax-increment financing — funds entertainment-district public infrastructure (transit connections, pedestrian bridges, streetscape, structured parking) |
| stacks_with | EDO §2.4.5 zoning overlay (same area) |
| notable_funded_projects | Texas Live! (Cordish, 2018); Live! by Loews hotel (2019); Loews Arlington Hotel (2023); Esports Stadium Arlington (2018) |
Designated STR Zone (shown on GIS at arlingtontx.gov/gis). Applies to residential parcels citywide with differential rules inside vs outside the zone.
| inside_zone_cap_rule | max(25 DUs, 15% of total DUs on parcel) eligible for STR permit (greater of two) |
|---|---|
| outside_zone_cap_rule | min(25 DUs, 15% of total DUs) eligible for STR permit (lesser of two) |
| multifamily_zoned_property | entire property may convert to STR use |
| hud_manufactured_homes | not eligible for STR permit |
Near Arlington Municipal Airport (FAA Part 77 imaginary surfaces apply)
| use_restrictions | noise-sensitive use restrictions near airport |
|---|---|
| height_restrictions | airport-surface height restrictions apply |
Designated conservation areas (environmental/character conservation)
| development_restrictions | environmental conservation controls applied to designated parcels |
|---|
Downtown neighborhood transition area abutting the DB core — protects neighborhood character at the downtown edge.
| setback_street_frontage_min_ft | 0[27] |
|---|---|
| step_back_rule | status: confirmed · note: Distinctive: portions of a building above 50 ft must step back 10 ft from the street — protects downtown-neighborhood-edge daylighting and pedestrian scale. Not a base-district rule; unique to DNO. |
| setback_street_rear_public_street_min_ft | 10[28] |
| setback_street_rear_alley_or_easement_min_ft | 5[29] |
| setback_interior_side_rear_min_ft | 0[30] |
| setback_adjacent_to_sf_min_ft | 20[31] |
| design_standards_section | Article 5 §5.8 Overlay District Design and Development Standards |
Lamar Boulevard / Collins Street mixed-use corridor — runs east-west across north-central Arlington connecting downtown to TX-360 / the Entertainment District periphery. A corridor overlay applied to RM-12, RMF-22, OC, NC, CC, GC, HC base zones along the corridor.
| setback_street_frontage_min_ft | 0[32] |
|---|---|
| setback_interior_side_rear_min_ft | 5[33] |
| setback_adjacent_to_sf_min_ft | 20[34] |
| mixed_use_streetfront_treatment | Per Article 5 §5.7.4.C — setback area reserved for sidewalks, landscaping, outdoor dining, kiosks, street amenities; surface parking lots, off-street parking, and driving aisles PROHIBITED between building and street. |
| design_standards_section | Article 5 §5.8 + §5.7 Mixed-Use Design Standards |
| parking_special_requirements_apply | True |
Locally-designated historic landmarks/districts
| demolition_review | True |
|---|---|
| exterior_alteration_review | True |
| height_multiplier | -0.15 |
| FAR_multiplier | -0.1 |
| coverage_adjustment_pct | -5 |
| setback_addition_ft | 5 |
Parcels rezoned to PD with a specific ordinance; each PD has custom standards
| custom_standards | each PD has its own dimensional, use, and design standards adopted by ordinance |
|---|
| status | not_found |
|---|---|
| search_performed | Reviewed UDC Article 2 overlay list (EDO/STR/APO/CDO/DNO/LCMUO/LPO/PD) and district transition table; floodplain development is regulated through separate Chapter of the city code (floodplain ordinance) rather than as a §2.4 UDC overlay. FEMA SFHA maps apply as a federal layer. |
| status | not_found |
|---|---|
| search_performed | Reviewed UDC Article 2 overlay list and zoning district transition table; Arlington has no passenger rail and no TOD overlay in the UDC. Entertainment District (EDO) is the closest functional analog but is not transit-oriented. |
| status | not_found |
|---|---|
| search_performed | Reviewed UDC overlay list and 2025 UDC Annual Update; no dedicated affordable housing bonus overlay in the UDC. SB 840 by-right multifamily is the operative MF-enablement mechanism. |
State preemptions
Adopted building codes
Home rule; major cities on 2024 IBC
Click a code label to open its state-by-state adoption atlas.
Amendment history
| Date | Kind | Citation |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-05-19 | retrieved at | |
| 2025-08-26 | last amended | Ord. 25-059 (SB 840 compliance — raises GC/DB floors to >=45 ft, >=36 du/ac) |
| 2015-XX-XX | amended | Ord. amending RS-15 §2.2.4 setbacks, DB §2.3.8 setbacks, DNO §2.4.3 setbacks (incl. 50-ft step-back), LCMUO §2.4.4 setbacks, EDO §2.4.5 density/coverage/MF GLA mins (Granicus archive PDF) |
| 2014-07-10 | effective | UDC Art. 1 §1.6.8, Table 1.6-1 — district transitions effective July 10, 2014 (confirmed from Arlington Granicus archive ordinance PDF) |
Quirks & notes
- Two-MLB/NFL-stadium overlay: Entertainment District Overlay (EDO) §2.4.5 is a single 2,800-acre overlay encompassing AT&T Stadium (NFL), Globe Life Field (MLB), Choctaw Stadium, Six Flags, Hurricane Harbor, Texas Live!, and Esports Stadium Arlington. Density spread of 40 du/ac (single use) vs. 100 du/ac (mixed-use with >=15% second-use GFA) is the principal regulatory lever steering developers toward vertical mixed-use; 90% max lot coverage; 20 ft min building height; 3-story cap only when adjacent to single-family. Unique in study.
- Zoning + finance overlay co-extent: TIRZ #5 (Entertainment District) coincides with EDO §2.4.5 boundary; TIRZ #1 (Downtown) coincides with DB §2.3.8 + DNO §2.4.3 area. Arlington uses TIRZ funding pulls to incent compliance with overlay design standards — a coupling rarely as tight in other TX cities.
- Downtown daylight step-back: DNO §2.4.3.D requires any portion of a building taller than 50 ft to step back an additional 10 ft from the street. Most TX downtown overlays omit a daylight-plane / step-back rule; this is Arlington-distinctive.
- Three named mixed-use form regimes: DB §2.3.8 (downtown core, 0-ft build-to), LCMUO §2.4.4 (Lamar/Collins corridor, 0-ft build-to with 20-ft SF buffer), EDO §2.4.5 (entertainment-district nodes, 90% coverage + 40/100 du/ac). All three share Article 5 §5.7.4.C streetfront rule prohibiting surface parking between building and street.
- Mixed-use as the unlock for residential in non-residential overlays: in DB, RM-12 and RMF-22 base zones inside EDO, townhouse and MF residential are permitted by-right ONLY inside a mixed-use development or building (§3.2.3.K + EDO §2.4.5.B.1.e). Pure MF requires SB 840 by-right pathway or RMU/NMU base zoning.
- STR Zone inside/outside asymmetry: inside the STR Zone, eligible STR units = max(25 DUs, 15% of total DUs on parcel) — the GREATER bound. Outside the zone, eligible STR units = min(25 DUs, 15%) — the LESSER bound. Intentionally concentrates STR activity inside the zone. (2025 UDC Annual Update.)
- Village on the Green (VG) was a 2014 overlay-to-base-district conversion: previously an overlay on Agricultural land at Tierra Verde; 2014 UDC carried it forward as a standalone base district. Front-facing, front-loading garages prohibited (except a third bay under specified conditions).
- Manufactured Housing (MH) is an OBSOLETE district — may not be requested as new classification; existing MH-zoned properties continue under prior §9-400. Effectively ends MH expansion in Arlington.
- Regional Mixed Use (RMU) allows 100 du/ac as a base-district by-right cap (matching EDO mixed-use ceiling). One of the highest non-CA base-district MF density caps in the corpus.
- RMF-22 25-ft landscaped buffer (no parking, no driveways) adjacent to SF or non-residential. Combined with the 15% landscaped open area minimum, RMF-22 site planning is form-controlled to a degree unusual among TX cities.
- Tree protection at 8-inch caliper (vs. Austin 19 in) — Arlington's threshold is among the most protective in TX.
- SB 840 compliance enacted via Ord. 25-059 (2025-08-26): raises GC and DB height/density floors to >=45 ft and >=36 du/ac for by-right MF on commercial parcels. Heavy industrial (IM) excluded from SB 840 per state law. MF under TX LGC Chapter 218: where Ch. 218 is silent, RMF-22 district regulations apply as default.
- Near-zero ETJ: Arlington is fully ringed by Fort Worth, Grand Prairie, Mansfield, Kennedale, Pantego, and Dalworthington Gardens. Pantego (1.0 sq mi) and Dalworthington Gardens (2.0 sq mi) are entirely surrounded by Arlington but maintain separate zoning. Annexation pipeline is closed; growth is internal redevelopment only.
- No fixed-route transit, no TOD overlay: Arlington is the largest US city without fixed-route public transit (2026). Replaced by Via Rideshare on-demand microtransit (2017-). TRE commuter rail passes through but does not stop within Arlington city limits. EDO is the closest functional analog to a TOD overlay but is event-trip-, not commuter-trip-, oriented.
Formulas
Definitions
- height
- Grade to highest point of structure.
- lot_coverage
- Building footprint / lot area.
- far
- Gross floor area / lot area.
- du_ac
- Dwelling units per gross acre.
- setback_front
- Front property line to nearest building face.
- setback_side
- Side property line to nearest building face.
- setback_rear
- Rear property line to nearest building face.
- parking
- Spaces per dwelling unit unless noted.
Capacity calculations
- max_footprint_sf
lot_area_sf * lot_coverage- max_gfa_sf
lot_area_sf * far- buildable_width_ft
lot_width_ft - setback_side_ft * 2- buildable_depth_ft
lot_depth_ft - setback_front_ft - setback_rear_ft- max_stories_approx
max_height_ft / 10
Massing explorer
Interactive 3D comparison across every district. Drag to orbit, scroll to zoom, use the slider to walk districts, and toggle applicable overlays in the right-side panel.
| District | Category | Height | FAR | Coverage | Setbacks | Parking | Density | Min lot | Overlays |
|---|
Sources & references
Direct www.arlingtontx.gov PDFs return HTTP 403 to scripted clients (Cloudflare/WAF); the same documents are mirrored on arlingtontx.granicus.com (Granicus meeting archive) where scripted clients receive HTTP 200. The UDC amendment ordinance affecting §2.3.8 DB, §2.4.3 DNO, §2.4.4 LCMUO, §2.4.5 EDO setbacks was retrieved 2026-05-19 via Granicus clip_id=1689 / meta_id=200560.
- [1] §2.2.2
- [2] §2.2.2
- [3] §2.2.2
- [4] §2.2.3
- [5] §2.2.3
- [6] §2.2.3
- [7] §2.2.4.D.5
- [8] §2.2.4
- [9] §2.2.4
- [10] §2.2.5
- [11] §2.2.5
- [12] §2.2.6
- [13] §2.2.6
- [14] §2.2.6
- [15] §2.2.6
- [16] §2.2.6
- [17] §2.2.8
- [18] §2.3.8.D
- [19] §2.3.8.D
- [20] §2.3.8.D
- [21] §2.3.8
- [22] §2.3.8
- [23] §2.4.5.B
- [24] §2.4.5.B
- [25] §2.4.5.E
- [26] §2.4.5.E
- [27] §2.4.3.D
- [28] §2.4.3.D
- [29] §2.4.3.D
- [30] §2.4.3.D
- [31] §2.4.3.D
- [32] §2.4.4.D
- [33] §2.4.4.D
- [34] §2.4.4.D
Research status
Publication gates
| primary url present | passed | Primary source https://www.arlingtontx.gov/Business/Development-Resources/Land-Development/Zoning-Unified-Development-Code/Unified-Development-Code is city-hosted, non-aggregator. Direct city PDFs return HTTP 403 to scripted clients but are mirrored in the Granicus archive (arlingtontx.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?clip_id=1689) where retrieval succeeded 2026-05-19; both endpoints are first-party City of Arlington publishing surfaces. |
|---|---|---|
| no aggregator cited | passed | All cited sources are first-party City of Arlington or government surfaces (arlingtontx.gov, arlingtontx.granicus.com, arlingtontxedc.com Arlington Economic Development Corp, tarrantcountytx.gov, capitol.texas.gov, census.gov). No third-party zoning-aggregator data brokers cited. |
| confidence tags full form | passed | Confirmed fields carry full §-citations with source_quote excerpts pulled directly from the Granicus UDC amendment ordinance: §2.2.4.D.5/6/7/8 (RS-15 setbacks), §2.3.8.D (DB setbacks 0/0/0/20), §2.4.3.D (DNO 50-ft step-back), §2.4.4.D (LCMUO setbacks), §2.4.5.B/C/E (EDO 40/100 du/ac, GLA mins, 90% coverage). Partial fields carry search_performed explaining the gap. |
| overlays have parameters trigger confidence | passed | All 10 present overlays (EDO, STR, APO, CDO, DNO, LCMUO, LPO, PD, TIRZ-1, TIRZ-5) have params, trigger, confidence, ordinance. EDO now carries 13 confirmed parameters with ordinance source_quotes. DNO 50-ft step-back rule captured. LCMUO 0/5/20 setbacks captured. 3 absent overlay types (FP, TOD, AH) documented with not_found + search_performed. |
| preempt section city specific | passed | 2 TX laws evaluated with city-specific qualifying_condition_checked containing numeric inputs (pop 394,266; Tarrant 2,140,629) + vintage (2024 Census PEP) + threshold (>=150k / >=300k) — not link-stubs. SB 840 compliance traced to specific Arlington ordinance (Ord. 25-059, 2025-08-26). |
Data quality
- Full UDC Article 2 §2.2.x / §2.3.x dimensional tables not retrieved for districts not amended in the Granicus archive ordinance (RE §2.2.2, RS-20 §2.2.3, RS-5 §2.2.6, RM-12, RMF-22 §2.2.8 dimensional rows beyond density, MF buffer, and landscaped-open-area; LO §2.3.1, OC §2.3.2, NC §2.3.3, CC §2.3.4, GC §2.3.5, HC §2.3.6, BP §2.3.7, LI §2.3.9, IM §2.3.10, NMU §2.3.11, RMU §2.3.12)
- Floodplain regulation exists but is in a separate chapter (City Code Chapter on floodplain management), not a §2.4 UDC overlay — FP overlay slot flagged as not_found with search_performed
- EDO §2.4.5 §5.8.1 design standards full text not in retrieved Granicus ordinance excerpt (only setback amendment captured); §5.8.1 streetfront standards and Private Realm Design provisions need full UDC retrieval
Known issues
Other cities in this state
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