The CC zone is a community-scale commercial district for retail and service uses that serve multiple neighborhoods. Common along Mt. Vernon Avenue and other neighborhood commercial corridors. Ground-floor retail with upper-floor residential or office is the typical development pattern. Nonresidential and residential floor area ratios differ -- see the development standards below.
Development standards in CC
Maximum FAR
0.5
Maximum height
35 ft
Minimum lot size
5000 sq ft
Max density
22 units/acre
Side setback
8 ft
Rear setback
8 ft
Sec. 4-206(B)(1) nonresidential: .5. Residential: .75, not to exceed 22 units per acre for townhouse development. Continuum of care: .75 with up to 50 percent residential floor space.
Sec. 4-206(C): 35 feet by right; may be increased to not more than 45 feet with a special use permit. 45 ft is the special-exception ceiling, not the base.
Read from City of Alexandria Zoning Ordinance, effective through 2025-06-14. Amendments adopted after that date (most recent 2026-03-14) are not yet reflected.
Permitted uses in CC
AllowedSingle-unit dwelling Sec. 4-202(A)
AllowedTwo-unit dwelling Sec. 4-202(A.1)
AllowedTownhouse dwelling Sec. 4-202(A.2)
AllowedMulti-unit dwelling Sec. 4-202(B)
AllowedAuxiliary dwelling, up to 4 units Sec. 4-202(B.1)
AllowedBusiness and professional office Sec. 4-202(C)
AllowedCemetery Sec. 4-202(D)
AllowedChurch Sec. 4-202(E)
AllowedDay care center Sec. 4-202(E.1)
AllowedMedical laboratory Sec. 4-202(F)
AllowedHealth and athletic club or fitness studio Sec. 4-202(F.1)
AllowedHealth profession office Sec. 4-202(G)
AllowedMotor vehicle parking/storage, 20 or fewer vehicles Sec. 4-202(G.1)
AllowedOutdoor dining at commercial complex Sec. 4-202(G.2)
AllowedPersonal service establishment Sec. 4-202(H)
AllowedPrivate school, commercial Sec. 4-202(H.1)
AllowedPublic school Sec. 4-202(I)
AllowedRecreation and entertainment use, indoor Sec. 4-202(I.1)
AllowedRestaurant within a commercial complex or hotel Sec. 4-202(I.2)
AllowedRetail shopping establishment, up to 20,000 sf Sec. 4-202(J)
AllowedSeminary, convent or monastery Sec. 4-202(K)
AllowedSocial service use Sec. 4-202(K.1)
AllowedUtilities (Sec. 7-1200) Sec. 4-202(L)
AllowedAccessory uses (Sec. 7-100) Sec. 4-202(M)
ConditionalAnimal care facility with overnight accommodation (in commercial complex) Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 4-202.1(A)
ConditionalCo-living dwelling, up to 2 units Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 4-202.1(A.1)
ConditionalRestaurant (standalone) Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 4-202.1(B)
ConditionalOutdoor garden center Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 4-202.1(C)
ConditionalOutdoor market Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 4-202.1(D)
ConditionalOutdoor dining on private property Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 4-202.1(E)
ConditionalValet parking Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 4-202.1(G)
ConditionalAnimal care facility with overnight accommodation (other) Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-203(A)
ConditionalAny use with live entertainment Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-203(A.1)
ConditionalAutomobile service station Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-203(A.2)
ConditionalBus shelter on private property Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-203(B)
ConditionalCo-living dwelling (other than admin special) Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-203(C)
ConditionalCongregate housing facility Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-203(D)
ConditionalContinuum of care facility Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-203(E)
ConditionalDrive through facility Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-203(G)
ConditionalFraternal or private club Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-203(H)
ConditionalFuneral home Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-203(I)
ConditionalLight automobile repair Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-203(K)
ConditionalMotor vehicle parking/storage, more than 20 vehicles Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-203(L)
ConditionalMedical care facility Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-203(M)
ConditionalOutdoor dining (other than permitted or admin special) Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-203(M.1)
ConditionalNursing or convalescent home or hospice Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-203(N)
ConditionalOutdoor market (other than admin special) Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-203(N.1)
ConditionalOutdoor garden center (other than admin special) Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-203(N.2)
ConditionalPrivate school, academic, more than 20 students Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-203(P)
ConditionalPublic building Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-203(Q)
ConditionalRecreation and entertainment use, outdoor Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-203(Q.1)
ConditionalRetail shopping establishment, larger than 20,000 sf Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-203(R)
ConditionalSTR - Short-Term Rentals STR permit required for >10 days/year; owner-occupied or unhosted permitted; Sec. 7-1403/7-1404
"Conditional" means the use generally requires a public hearing or special-exception approval — a very different timeline and risk profile from a by-right permit.
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