Arlington
Research summary, not legal advice. Arlington has overlay districts and entertainment-zone rules near AT&T Stadium — verify parcel zoning with Planner of the Day.[4]
UTA / Entertainment District / South Arlington
Student and game-day traffic corridor. Mix of commercial, mixed-use, and overlay districts in Unified Development Code (UDC).[4]
- Restaurant / food service — locate use in Nonresidential Use Table; permitted in most commercial districts Verify district[4]
- Specific Use Permit (SUP): Required for uses not permitted outright — apply via zoning change process with owner signature and public hearing[4]
- Entertainment District properties may have additional standards — meet with planner before lease (817-459-6502)[4]
- Parking & landscaping: Enhanced requirements may apply adjacent to residential — UDC supplemental standards[4]
Permits & process — strict CO-first order
Arlington requires Certificate of Occupancy before Health Establishment Permit — opposite order from some cities' informal workflow.[1][3]
| Step | Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Zoning | Confirm restaurant use allowed on parcel[4] | Planner of the Day: 817-459-6502[4] |
| 2. Certificate of Occupancy | CO required before occupancy or operation[3] | Planning + building + fire review; 2–3 business days for review[3] |
| 3. Building permit | Commercial building permit if change of use triggers[3] | Exiting, occupant load, sprinklers, plumbing fixtures, parking[3] |
| 4. Preliminary health inspection | Schedule after CO path is underway[1] | Email HealthPermits@ArlingtonTx.gov[1] |
| 5. Plan review (if new/major remodel) | $500 plan review / application fee[2][5] | Commercial building plans to health + building[5] |
| 6. Health Final + Building Final | Health final must pass before building final[1] | Coordinated through assigned inspector[1] |
| 7. Operating permit | Low $300 / Medium $325 / High $425 per year[2] | Priority based on food prep risk[2] |
| 8. Change of ownership | $350 fee; permits non-transferable[2] | New CO + new health permit required[1][2] |
Health code (Article IV — Food Establishments)
- Valid permit required for any food establishment, mobile unit, or commissary[5]
- Separate permit for each operation at same address[5]
- Plans review required for new construction, major remodel, change of ownership, or operation type change[5]
- All commercial kitchens must hold current health permit[1]
- Mobile food units: as of July 1, 2026, state DSHS permits required (HB 2844); city zoning still applies[1]
UTA-area strategy notes
- Target walkable pads near campus with hours aligned to student peaks (afternoon and early evening)
- Lease near existing restaurant CO shells to shorten change-of-use timeline[3]
- Game-day/event parking restrictions in Entertainment District — confirm tenant parking count in lease
References
Inline [n] markers above link to these sources. Accessed September 2026 unless noted.
- [1]Arlington Retail & Temporary Food Inspection ProgramCO required before health permit; preliminary inspection; mobile unit DSHS transition Jul 2026.
- [2]Arlington Health Permits & FeesPlan review $500; operating fees $300–$425; change of ownership $350.
- [3]Certificate of Occupancy Application Review & Inspection ProceduresCO before operation; 2–3 day review; building/fire inspections.
- [4]Zoning / Unified Development Code FAQs28 districts; SUP process; Planner of the Day 817-459-6502.
- [5]Article IV — Regulation of Food Establishments (PDF)Permit required; plan review triggers; separate permits per operation.