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Old 01-24-2011, 07:44 PM
 
Location: Novastan
384 posts, read 1,028,880 times
Reputation: 172

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Yesterday, a real estate agent told me that there is a new building height restriction law in Arlington. I was very surprised to hear this.

Does anyone know if this is correct? I am not sure which county agency deals with this so I'd appreciate any help. Thanks.
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Old 01-24-2011, 08:53 PM
 
2,737 posts, read 5,453,630 times
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Haven't heard of this, other than the restrictions on McMansions that were put into effect several years ago. Why don't you ask the agent to give you a link to the info? Otherwise, you may find yourself sorting through a variety of county officials, or its website.
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Old 01-24-2011, 09:25 PM
 
30 posts, read 83,073 times
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Default Arl Co Ht Restrictions

Pandoras

"35 feet from grade to mid-point of roof. Measure height from grade to mid-point of roof at 4 corners of structure, then divide this number by 4. This is the height of the structure."

Call the county directly (703-228-3883) to discuss the particular lot you are interested in.

m
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Old 01-25-2011, 05:57 AM
 
Location: Ashburn, VA
989 posts, read 2,854,446 times
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The put in a "35 foot high" church close to me in Ashburn. It's 57 feet high (to the top of the roof) due to the way they also measure to the midpoint of the roof. So you can still have a ginormous house, if you want. I'm talking GIGANTIC...
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Old 01-25-2011, 05:18 PM
 
Location: Novastan
384 posts, read 1,028,880 times
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Thanks for everyone's suggestions. I am looking at Arlington properties and am concerned about future buildings blocking views. Thanks again.
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Old 01-25-2011, 06:21 PM
 
30 posts, read 83,073 times
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Pandoras

Curious - is there a particular view? Wash Mon? Cathedral?

m
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Old 01-25-2011, 06:59 PM
 
Location: Novastan
384 posts, read 1,028,880 times
Reputation: 172
I am looking at properties with views of the Potomac River, Washington Monument, and Lincoln Memorial.
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Old 04-04-2011, 11:16 AM
 
2 posts, read 11,799 times
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ACWhite - question for you. We've got a McMansion going up on the property next to us (and we're none too happy about it). Can you point me to where we can find info on the "restrictions" you're referring to with regards to McMansions in Arlington County?
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Old 04-04-2011, 05:31 PM
 
Location: New-Dentist Colony
5,759 posts, read 10,719,093 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MPass View Post
ACWhite - question for you. We've got a McMansion going up on the property next to us (and we're none too happy about it). Can you point me to where we can find info on the "restrictions" you're referring to with regards to McMansions in Arlington County?
MPass, I found this on the County website: http://www.arlingtonva.us/department.../file77713.pdf

It's about exceptions to the rule for houses on 100 acres or more, but it refers to the 35-foot limit.

Best of luck keeping whatever goes up next door from being too monstrous. There are so many hideous McMansions in Arlington now. I about cried when they tore down that gorgeous stone 1940s Colonial on Carlin Spring just east of George Mason, to put in a bunch of McMansionettes (which they've probably just started to build).
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Old 04-04-2011, 06:19 PM
 
2 posts, read 11,799 times
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Carlingtonian - thanks for the link.

So here's the interesting thing, we went to the County zoning office last week and were told the 35-foot limit is an average height calculation of the four corners of the roof (sorry to get so technical, but we're desperate) as opposed to an absolute height restriction on the house.

It seems this developer knows exactly what he's doing. This new 5,000 sq ft house (which technically meets the average height calculation - somehow it comes in at 29 ft ?!?!) currently under construction is going to dwarf our 1,800 sq. ft. 1930's home (along with all of the neighboring homes). Does anyone out there know what recourse, if any, we have at this point?

Thanks again Carlingtonian
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