Arlington’s Planning and Development Services Department is the main starting point for building permits, inspections, zoning, and development review. Residential and commercial permit applications are submitted through ArlingtonPermits.com, which the City also uses for online applications, plan documents, permit records, and related development services. Larger commercial projects can require coordinated site-plan or public-improvement review before the building permit stage.
Land Development reviews zoning requests, plats, commercial site plans, signs, and development plans under Arlington’s Unified Development Code (UDC). The UDC combines zoning, land-use, subdivision, landscaping, and design standards, while property-specific zoning determines allowed uses and development conditions. Arlington also uses several overlay districts, including Airport, Conservation, Entertainment, Downtown, and Landmark Preservation overlays, which can add requirements beyond the underlying zoning district.
Tree preservation is a notable local requirement. When no associated commercial permit or site plan covers the work, removal or adverse impact to qualifying trees can require a separate Tree Removal Permit. Historic properties within the Landmark Preservation Overlay follow another review path: applicable exterior work can require a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Landmark Preservation Commission, with additional procedures for demolition or relocation.
Work within public streets and other City right-of-way is regulated separately. Registered contractors and public service providers must obtain applicable right-of-way permits through ArlingtonPermits.com before beginning regulated construction. Applicants can start with the City’s Development Resources and then confirm zoning, tree, historic-overlay, site-plan, and right-of-way requirements for the property.