Arlington County, VA Special Events & Permits: Parklets (2026)

Chapter 22, § 22-5(L) of the Arlington County Code establishes the Parklet Program as an extension of the public sidewalk: a "Parklet" is defined as a small, contained area with seating and tables, green space, or similar elements, typically occupying two parking spaces adjacent to a sidewalk. " Installations are limited to non-residential areas and can be permitted for one year or longer, unlike a one-day special-event parklet. The County Manager or a designee holds sole authority to administer the program and to "set forth the guidelines and standards for carrying out this Section in the Parklet Administrative Guidelines," meaning the operative permitting details (application forms, insurance, design standards, fees) sit in an administrative guidance document outside the code text itself, not in the ordinance.

This subsection was last amended by Ord. No. 21-12 on 7-17-21, within the broader street-construction chapter first adopted 5-23-61. Because a parklet occupies the public right-of-way, it also falls under the chapter's general permit requirement in § 22-1(A), which makes it unlawful to do any work in a street, right-of-way or dedicated public area without first applying to the County Manager and obtaining approved plans and a permit. Applicants should expect the same County Manager review pathway used for other right-of-way work: submission of plans, review against the Parklet Administrative Guidelines, and issuance of a permit before installation.