Alexandria
Zoning districts
44 districts, grouped by category.
Mixed use
20Potomac Yards/Greens
South Carlyle
Safeway-Datatel
Triangle Sites
Giant-CVS
Braddock Gateway
Landmark Gateway
Harris Teeter of Old Town North
Beauregard
Oakville Triangle and Route 1 Corridor
ABC-Giant/Old Town North
Public Storage/Boat US
Greenhill/West Alexandria Properties
Greenhill South
Landmark Neighborhood
Potomac River Generating Station
Eisenhower Conversion
Trade Center
Cameron Station
W-1 Zone (Waterfront)
- Min lot
- 5,000 sq ft
- Front setback
- 20 ft
- Max density
- 30 du/ac
- Permitted uses
- 17
Residential
16James Bland
Seminary Overlook
Fillmore/Beauregard
R-12 Zone
- Min lot
- 12,000 sq ft (0.28 ac)
- Max height
- 30 ft
- Front setback
- 35 ft
- Permitted uses
- 10
R-2 zone
- Min lot
- 2,000 sq ft
- Max height
- 30 ft
- Permitted uses
- 9
R-20 Zone
- Min lot
- 20,000 sq ft (0.46 ac)
- Max height
- 30 ft
- Front setback
- 40 ft
- Permitted uses
- 10
R-5 Zone
- Min lot
- 5,000 sq ft
- Max height
- 30 ft
- Front setback
- 20 ft
- Permitted uses
- 10
R-8 Zone
- Min lot
- 8,000 sq ft
- Max height
- 30 ft
- Front setback
- 30 ft
- Permitted uses
- 10
RMF-1 zone
- Min lot
- 2,000 sq ft
- Max height
- 30 ft
- Max density
- 10 du/ac
- Permitted uses
- 9
RMF-2 zone
- Min lot
- 2,000 sq ft
- Max height
- 30 ft
- Max density
- 15 du/ac
- Permitted uses
- 9
RMF-3
- Min lot
- 2,000 sq ft
- Max height
- 30 ft
- Front setback
- 15 ft
- Max density
- 20 du/ac
- Permitted uses
- 9
RMF-4
- Min lot
- 2,000 sq ft
- Max height
- 30 ft
- Front setback
- 15 ft
- Max density
- 30 du/ac
- Permitted uses
- 10
RMF-5
- Min lot
- 2,000 sq ft
- Max height
- 30 ft
- Front setback
- 15 ft
- Max density
- 40 du/ac
- Permitted uses
- 10
RMF-6
- Min lot
- 2,000 sq ft
- Max height
- 30 ft
- Front setback
- 15 ft
- Max density
- 50 du/ac
- Permitted uses
- 10
RMF-7
- Min lot
- 2,000 sq ft
- Max height
- 30 ft
- Front setback
- 15 ft
- Max density
- 60 du/ac
- Permitted uses
- 10
RMF-8
- Max height
- 30 ft
- Front setback
- 15 ft
- Max density
- 80 du/ac
- Permitted uses
- 10
Other
7North Potomac Yard
Old and Historic Alexandria Height District
Parker-Gray Height District
Potomac River Vicinity Height District
- Max height
- 30 ft
Old Town North Height District
King Street Metro Station Height District
- Max height
- 77 ft
Remaining Height District
Industrial
1General provisions
522 rules that bind every district rather than one — sign regulations, parking, floodplain and the rest of the code’s citywide chapters.
The applicant shall post the hours of operation at the entrance of the business. No food, beverages, or other material shall be stored outside. The applicant shall control cooking odors and smoke from the property to prevent them from becoming a nuisance to neighboring properties, as determined by transportation and environmental services. Deliveries to the business are prohibited between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. The applicant shall provide storage space for solid waste and recyclable materials containers as outlined in the city's "Solid Waste and Recyclable Materials Storage Space Guidelines", or to the satisfaction of the director of transportation and environmental services. The city's storage space guidelines and required recycling implementation plan forms are available at: www.alexandriava.gov or contact the city's solid waste division at 703-519-3486 ext. 132. Kitchen equipment shall not be cleaned outside, nor shall any cooking residue be washed into the streets, alleys or storm sewers.
No food, beverages, or other material shall be stored outside. The applicant shall control cooking odors and smoke from the property to prevent them from becoming a nuisance to neighboring properties, as determined by transportation and environmental services. Deliveries to the business are prohibited between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
Repair work done on the premises shall be limited to light automobile repair. No repair work shall be done outside. No junked, abandoned, or stripped vehicles shall be parked or stored outside. No vehicles shall be loaded or unloaded on the public right-of-way. No debris or vehicle parts shall be discarded on the public right-of-way. No vehicles shall be displayed, parked, or stored on a public right-of-way. No vehicle parts, tires, or other materials shall be permitted to accumulate outside except in a dumpster or other suitable trash receptacle or enclosure. The area around the building shall be kept free of debris and maintained in an orderly and clean condition. All waste products including but not limited to organic compounds (solvents), motor oils, and antifreeze shall be disposed of in accordance with all local, state and federal ordinances or regulations and shall not be discharged to the sanitary or storm sewers. The applicant shall comply with the City of Alexandria Best Management Practices manual for automotive related industries. Contact the T&ES Engineering division (703)383-4327 to obtain a copy of the manual. The applicant shall control odors, smoke and any other air pollution from operations at the site and prevent them from leaving the property or becoming a nuisance to neighboring properties, as determined by the department of transportation and environmental services. Car wash discharges resulting from a commercial operation shall not be discharged into a storm sewer. It is recommended that the car washes be done at a commercial car wash facility.
Repair work done on the premises shall be limited to light automobile repair. No repair work shall be done outside. No junked, abandoned, or stripped vehicles shall be parked or stored outside.
The applicant shall comply with the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Division of Animal Industry Services laws and Animal Care, Control, Property and Protection Laws of Virginia regarding boarding establishments.
The applicant shall comply with the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Division of Animal Industry Services laws and Animal Care, Control, Property and Protection Laws of Virginia regarding boarding establishments.
The applicant shall post the hours of operation. No new meals may be ordered and no alcohol served after the closing hour, and all patrons must leave by one hour after the closing hour. Limited, live entertainment may be offered and must comply with the city's noise ordinance. No admission or cover fee shall be charged. All entertainment shall be subordinate to the principal function of the restaurant as an eating establishment. Any advertising of the entertainment shall reflect the subordinate nature of the entertainment by featuring food service as well as the entertainment. Restaurant-managed delivery vehicles must be provided with dedicated off-street parking spaces for each delivery vehicle. On and off premises alcohol sales, consistent with a valid ABC license are permitted. No food, beverages, or other material shall be stored outside. Kitchen equipment shall not be cleaned outside, including floor mats, nor shall any cooking residue be washed into the streets, alleys or storm sewers. The applicant shall control odors, smoke and any other air pollution from the operations at the site and prevent them from leaving the property or becoming a nuisance to neighboring properties, as determined by the department of transportation and environmental services. Deliveries to the business are prohibited between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. The applicant shall provide storage space for solid waste and recyclable materials containers as outlined in the city's "Solid Waste and Recyclable Materials Storage Space Guidelines", or to the satisfaction of the director of transportation and environmental services. The city's storage space guidelines and required recycling implementation plan forms are available at: www.alexandriava.gov or contact the city's solid waste division at 703-519-3486 ext. 132. Live entertainment is not permitted, as defined in section 2-164.1. For restaurants within the Old Town Small Area Plan, all new restaurant uses and expansion or intensification of existing restaurant uses must satisfy the Old Town Restaurant Policies. For restaurants within the Waterfront Small Area Plan, all new restaurant uses and expansion or intensification of existing restaurant uses must satisfy the Waterfront Restaurant Policies.
No new meals may be ordered and no alcohol served after the closing hour, and all patrons must leave by one hour after the closing hour. Limited, live entertainment may be offered and must comply with the city's noise ordinance. No admission or cover fee shall be charged. All entertainment shall be subordinate to the principal function of the restaurant as an eating establishment.
Outdoor dining, including all its components such as planters, wait stations and barriers, shall not encroach onto the public right-of-way unless authorized by City Code section 5-2-29. A maximum of 49 seats may be located at outdoor tables. The closing hours of operation for the outdoor dining shall be limited to 11:00 p.m. Within the NR Zone and the Mount Vernon Avenue Urban Overlay Zone areas, outdoor dining shall be closed and cleared of all customers by 10:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and by 11:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Within the Old Town Small Area Plan, outdoor dining shall be closed and cleared of all customers by 11:00 p.m. daily. No live entertainment shall be permitted in the outdoor seating area. Outdoor seating areas shall not include signage on outdoor dining furniture or enclosures, including on umbrellas. On and off premises alcohol sales, consistent with a valid ABC license are permitted. A plan shall be submitted with dimensions showing the layout for the outdoor dining area and depicting the design, location, size and space of the dining area, chairs, tables, barriers, umbrellas planters, wait stations, and other components to be located within the area, and such additional information as the director may reasonably require. The outdoor dining area shall be cleared and washed at the close of each business day that it is in use.
A maximum of 49 seats may be located at outdoor tables. The closing hours of operation for the outdoor dining shall be limited to 11:00 p.m. Within the NR Zone and the Mount Vernon Avenue Urban Overlay Zone areas, outdoor dining shall be closed and cleared of all customers by 10:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and by 11:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Within the Old Town Small Area Plan, outdoor dining shall be closed and cleared of all customers by 11:00 p.m. daily.
The applicant shall submit a detailed plan for approval by the director and the director of transportation and environmental services. The plan shall include the following at a minimum: (a) The location of the drop off area as well as the location for the parked vehicles to be stored; (b) The proposed days and hours of operation of the valet parking plan; (c) The number of spaces available at the vehicle storage site, which shall be of sufficient capacity for the use or uses from which vehicles will be valeted; (d) Adequate assurance that the owner and operator of the vehicle storage site is agreeable to the proposed valet plan; (e) The size and design of the drop off site and identification of any on street parking spaces that will be lost during the period that the valet parking plan is in effect, such spaces to be kept to a minimum; (f) Demonstration that the location of the drop off site will not interfere with traffic, remaining parking, bus stops, or transit passengers or pedestrians; (g) The proposed graphics for the drop off site, including signage and uniformed staff, with sufficient visibility but designed to be compatible with the streetscape as determined by the director; (h) The proposed number of attendants, which shall be sufficient to adequately staff the operation; and (i) If the proposed valet plan includes more than one business, the identity of the party or entity responsible for compliance with the approved valet parking plan. No vehicle shall be parked or temporarily stored by an attendant on streets, sidewalks. No structures are permitted in conjunction with a valet parking program, unless associated with a shared parking program among several businesses, and only after the design is reviewed for comment by the board of architectural review. The provisions of section 8-300 of this ordinance, requiring an SUP for valet parking, shall not apply for valet parking approved under this section 11-513(M). In addition, a permit approved under this section may authorize valet parking to displace otherwise required parking spaces, notwithstanding the requirements of section 8-200, if it is determined that those spaces are not in demand during the times that the valet parking program will be in effect and that the use of the spaces for the valet parking program will reduce potential parking congestion on the public streets.
No vehicle shall be parked or temporarily stored by an attendant on streets, sidewalks. No structures are permitted in conjunction with a valet parking program, unless associated with a shared parking program among several businesses, and only after the design is reviewed for comment by the board of architectural review.
Each such use shall: 1. Obtain all required state, federal and local licenses and certificates prior to opening its place of business; 2. Provide adequate drop off and pick-up facilities so as to create minimal impact on child safety and pedestrian and vehicular traffic; and 3. Be located so as not to create obvious conflicts between children and dangerous or otherwise inappropriate uses.
Obtain all required state, federal and local licenses and certificates prior to opening its place of business; Provide adequate drop off and pick-up facilities so as to create minimal impact on child safety and pedestrian and vehicular traffic; and Be located so as not to create obvious conflicts between children and dangerous or otherwise inappropriate uses.
A maximum of two private living areas per co-living dwelling are permitted to have double occupancy. Lease agreements with tenants must be for 30 days or longer. One wall sign with the contact information for a responsible party (including the name of the manager, email address, and phone number) is required at the entrance of buildings with a minimum of one square foot and maximum of two square feet. This sign is excludable for the purpose of calculating the square footage of wall signs permitted on the property.
A maximum of two private living areas per co-living dwelling are permitted to have double occupancy. Lease agreements with tenants must be for 30 days or longer. One wall sign with the contact information for a responsible party (including the name of the manager, email address, and phone number) is required at the entrance of buildings with a minimum of one square foot and maximum of two square feet.
Comply with the requirements in section 7-500(A); Obtain all required state, federal and local licenses and certificates prior to operation; Unless exempted by section 11-513(R)(4) below, provide a minimum of 75 square feet of outdoor play area for each child above the age of two, and the play area shall be: (a) Shown on the recorded plat of the lot in question; and (b) Fenced unless the applicant can show that the play area provides proper protection from traffic and other hazards and to neighboring yards; No play area shall be required when the child care home is located within 500 feet of a park or playground that has sufficient capacity to accommodate the children and for which the park owner's permission has been obtained; and Provide adequate drop off and pick up facilities so as to create minimal impact on child or elder safety and pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
Unless exempted by section 11-513(R)(4) below, provide a minimum of 75 square feet of outdoor play area for each child above the age of two, and the play area shall be: (a) Shown on the recorded plat of the lot in question; and (b) Fenced unless the applicant can show that the play area provides proper protection from traffic and other hazards and to neighboring yards; No play area shall be required when the child care home is located within 500 feet of a park or playground that has sufficient capacity to accommodate the children and for which the park owner's permission has been obtained
Limit the parking lot for parking of vehicles in conjunction with the business; Not perform any repair work on the site; Maintain adequate appearance of the site; Park all stored vehicles off-street and not in any portion of public way; Ensure no junked, abandoned, stripped, or visibly damaged vehicles are be displayed, parked, or stored outside; and For car wash discharges resulting from a commercial operation, not discharge into a storm sewer. It is recommended that the car washes be done at a commercial car wash facility.
Limit the parking lot for parking of vehicles in conjunction with the business; Not perform any repair work on the site; Maintain adequate appearance of the site; Park all stored vehicles off-street and not in any portion of public way; Ensure no junked, abandoned, stripped, or visibly damaged vehicles are be displayed, parked, or stored outside; and For car wash discharges resulting from a commercial operation, not discharge into a storm sewer.
Source documents
The chapters of the adopted code that were retrieved, read and extracted from. Everything above traces back to one of these.
- Chapter 1542.4K charsRead →
- Chapter 10114K charsRead →
- Chapter 1143.9K charsRead →
- Chapter 12189K charsRead →
- Chapter 13622.5K charsRead →
- Chapter 14103.5K charsRead →
- Chapter 15247K charsRead →
- Chapter 1639.7K charsRead →
- Chapter 1773.9K charsRead →
- Chapter 216.9K charsRead →
- Chapter 362.7K charsRead →
- Chapter 4129.5K charsRead →
- Chapter 5187.9K charsRead →
- Chapter 6349.6K charsRead →
- Chapter 7300K charsRead →
- Chapter 8296.7K charsRead →
- Chapter 9211K charsRead →