Article 42 ARB presentation¶
ARTICLE 42
Parking and Loading Standards
Annual Town Meeting || April 27, 2026
Kin Lau, Chair
Arlington Redevelopment Board
Parking and Loading Standards
BACKGROUND – ARTICLE 42
Ø Article 42 was a result of a
discussion by members of the
Redevelopment Board in
December 2025, following
approval of an applicant’s request
to reduce the drive aisle width on
a proposed development to 22
feet from the required 24 feet.
Ø In reviewing mixed-use projects, it
is difficult to balance the desire for
larger commercial spaces with
meeting parking requirements.
Narrowing the drive aisle is a
small change, but it creates an
opportunity for slightly larger
commercial spaces.
Ø In reviewing the bylaws of
neighboring communities, the
Board found that the widths vary
between 20 to 24 feet, so the
proposed change is in keeping
with the requirements of other
municipalities.
Drive Aisle Widths in Surrounding Communities
BACKGROUND – ARTICLE 42
Town/
City
Required Minimum Drive Aisle Width (in feet)
Parallel 30° 45° 60° 90°
Melrose
12 one-way
20 two-way
11 one-way 13 one-way 18 one-way
20 residential/mixed-use
with residential
24 all other uses
Belmont *
13one-way 12one-way 13one-way 18one-way 24 standard & compact
Winchester
12 one-way 11 one-way 13 one-way 18 one-way
20 one-way
22 two-way overnight
24 other two-way
Lexington
—— ——
14 standard
13 compact
16standard
15compact
22standard
20compact
Cambridge
—— —— ——
22 standard
20 compact
22 handicapped
22 standard
20 compact
22 handicapped
Somerville
12 one-way
20 two-way
——
12 one-way
n/a two-way
12 one-way
n/a two-way
n/a one-way
20 two-way
* Standards shall serve as a guidefor Planning Board decisions
4
AMENDMENT TEXT
Article 42
6.1.11 Parking and Loading Space Standards
C. All parking and loading areas containing over
five spaces, including automotive and drive-
in establishments of all types, shall be paved
and subject to the following:
(3) Each required off-street parking space
shall have direct access to an aisle or
driveway having a minimum width of 24
22 feet in the case of two-way traffic or
the following widths in the case of one-
way traffic only:
AMENDMENT TEXT
Amend Section 6.1.11.C.(3), as follows:
ZONING AMENDMENT – ARTICLE 42
Angle of parking Minimum
Parallel 12 ft
30 deg 11 ft
45 deg 13 ft
60 deg 18 ft
90 deg 24 22 ft
