Arlington Site Plan Requirements | Permits & Zoning Guide

By Site Plan Creator Team •

Everything you need to know about creating a site plan for building permits in Arlington, TX. Covers zoning requirements, setbacks, stormwater management, and submission procedures.

Arlington Site Plan Requirements: Complete Guide for Building Permits

Creating a site plan for a building permit in Arlington, Texas requires meeting specific requirements set by the Planning and Development Services Department. Arlington's development is governed by the Unified Development Code (UDC), with unique considerations including proximity to the Entertainment District (home of AT&T Stadium and Globe Life Field), no city income tax, significant infill and redevelopment areas, and compliance with the International Building Code (IBC) as adopted by Texas.

What Is a Site Plan and Why Does Arlington Require One?

A site plan is a scaled drawing showing your property boundaries, existing structures, proposed construction, setbacks, and site features. The Planning and Development Services Department requires a site plan for all building permit applications to verify compliance with the Unified Development Code and the International Building Code as adopted by the City of Arlington. Look up your property's zoning through Arlington's GIS portal at arlingtontx.gov/gis.

Required Site Plan Elements

  • Property boundaries with dimensions and total lot area (survey-grade preferred)
  • Setbacks per UDC
  • Existing and proposed structures with dimensions, height, and use classification
  • Lot coverage and impervious surface calculations
  • Parking spaces per UDC, including accessible spaces per ADA and TAS
  • Drainage and grading showing finished floor elevations and drainage patterns
  • Landscape buffer per UDC screening requirements between incompatible uses
  • North arrow, scale, and vicinity map
  • Tarrant County property ID
  • Floodplain designation if applicable

Arlington Zoning and Setback Requirements

  • A (Single-Family, 7,200 sq ft lot): Front 25 feet, side 5 feet (15 on street side), rear 5 feet. Lot coverage max 55%. Height max 36 feet.
  • B (Single-Family, 6,000 sq ft lot): Front 20 feet, side 5 feet, rear 5 feet. Lot coverage max 60%. Height max 36 feet.
  • D (Two-Family/Duplex): Front 25 feet, side 5 feet, rear 5 feet. Lot coverage max 60%.
  • E (Multi-Family): Front 25 feet, side 10 feet, rear 10 feet. Lot coverage max 65%.
  • MU (Mixed-Use): Front 0-10 feet (build-to), side 0 feet, rear 5 feet. High-density mixed-use.
  • Entertainment District (ED): Special overlay with custom setbacks, enhanced design standards, and entertainment-oriented uses near AT&T Stadium and Globe Life Field.

Entertainment District Considerations

The Entertainment District surrounding AT&T Stadium and Globe Life Field has special requirements:

  • Enhanced design standards: Architectural standards for building facades, signage, and lighting
  • Event-day traffic management: Projects must account for game-day and event traffic impacts
  • Parking reductions: Shared parking and transit alternatives encouraged for events
  • Special use permits: May be required for entertainment-related businesses
  • Texas Rangers and Cowboys adjacency: Enhanced pedestrian connectivity requirements near venues

Drainage and Floodplain Requirements

  • Drainage study: Required for all new development and significant modifications
  • Johnson Creek and Rush Creek floodplains: FEMA-mapped Special Flood Hazard Areas with development restrictions
  • Finished floor elevation: Minimum 1 foot above 100-year BFE in flood zones
  • No-rise certification: Required for development in the regulatory floodway
  • Detention requirements: Post-development runoff cannot exceed pre-development rates
  • Stormwater quality: Best management practices required for larger projects

Landscaping and Screening

  • Landscape buffers: Required between residential and nonresidential uses per UDC
  • Tree preservation: Protected trees (8 inches+ caliper) require mitigation if removed
  • Parking lot landscaping: Required interior and perimeter landscaping for parking areas
  • Screening: Dumpsters, mechanical equipment, and loading areas must be screened from view

How to Submit

ProjectDox Portal

Submit through Arlington's ProjectDox electronic plan review portal at arlingtontx.gov/permits for digital submission and review.

In-Person

Walk-in at 101 W. Abram Street, Planning and Development Services.

Permit Fees and Timeline

  • Fees: Per fee schedule; includes water/sewer impact fees, parkland dedication fees, and roadway impact fees
  • Timeline: Residential 2-4 weeks. Commercial 4-8 weeks. Projects in the Entertainment District may require additional review.

Creating Your Arlington Site Plan with Site Plan Creator

Site Plan Creator makes it easy to generate a professional, permit-ready site plan for your Arlington property. Simply enter your address, and the tool automatically loads your property boundaries, building footprints, and aerial imagery. You can then add setback lines, label structures, draw proposed construction, and export a scaled PDF ready for Planning and Development Services submission.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the typical residential setbacks in Arlington?
In A zones (7,200 sq ft lots), front setbacks are 25 feet, side 5 feet, rear 5 feet with 55% lot coverage and 36-foot height max. B zones (6,000 sq ft) have 20-foot front setbacks and 60% coverage. Mixed-Use zones have 0-10 foot front build-to lines. Street-side setbacks are 15 feet. Check arlingtontx.gov/gis.
What is the Entertainment District?
The Entertainment District surrounds AT&T Stadium and Globe Life Field with enhanced design standards, event-day traffic requirements, shared parking provisions, and special use permits for entertainment businesses. Pedestrian connectivity to venues is required.
What drainage and floodplain requirements apply?
Drainage studies are required for new development. Johnson Creek and Rush Creek floodplains restrict development. Finished floors must be 1 foot above BFE. No-rise certification required in floodways. Post-development detention required.
What tree preservation rules exist?
Protected trees (8 inches+ caliper) require mitigation if removed. Parking lot landscaping is mandatory. Landscape buffers required between incompatible uses. Screening required for dumpsters and mechanical equipment.
Can I build a garage apartment or ADU?
Arlington allows accessory dwelling units in residential zones per UDC standards. Check specific zone regulations for size limits, setbacks, and parking requirements. Texas law increasingly supports ADU development.
What stormwater management is required?
Post-development runoff cannot exceed pre-development rates. Detention facilities required. Stormwater quality BMPs for larger projects. Enhanced requirements near Johnson Creek and Rush Creek floodplains.
How do I submit plans?
Submit through ProjectDox at arlingtontx.gov/permits. Walk-in at 101 W. Abram Street. Residential permits take 2-4 weeks. Commercial 4-8 weeks.
How long does plan review take?
Residential 2-4 weeks. Commercial 4-8 weeks. Entertainment District projects may take longer due to enhanced design review. Floodplain review concurrent with plan review.

How to Create a Site Plan in Arlington

  1. Look Up Your Property Information: Use Arlington GIS at arlingtontx.gov/gis to find zoning, floodplain status, Entertainment District overlay, and lot dimensions. Note your Tarrant County property ID.
  2. Determine Requirements: Check setbacks, lot coverage, floodplain status, tree preservation requirements, Entertainment District applicability, and landscape buffer requirements.
  3. Create Your Site Plan: Enter your Arlington address in Site Plan Creator to load property boundaries, building footprints, and aerial imagery. Add setback lines per the UDC.
  4. Include All Required Elements: Include boundaries, setbacks, lot coverage, impervious surface, parking, drainage patterns, landscape buffers, tree survey, and north arrow with scale and vicinity map.
  5. Prepare Supporting Documents: Prepare drainage study. Tree mitigation plan if removing protected trees. Floodplain documentation if applicable. Entertainment District design review materials.
  6. Submit Through ProjectDox: Upload plans through arlingtontx.gov/permits. Pay fees including impact fees for water/sewer, parks, and roadway.
  7. Manage Review and Obtain Permit: Respond to reviewer comments. Once approved, pay remaining fees, receive permit, and schedule inspections with the Building Inspection Division.