The CD zone covers Alexandria's downtown commercial core, primarily in Old Town. Ground-floor retail is strongly encouraged. The Old and Historic Alexandria District overlay limits actual building heights well below the zoning maximum in many locations, governed by the Board of Architectural Review. Nonresidential, multi-unit residential and townhouse floor area ratios differ -- see the development standards below.
Development standards in CD
Maximum FAR
1.5
Maximum height
50 ft
Minimum lot width
25 ft
Front setback
0 ft
Side setback
5 ft
Rear setback
16 ft
Sec. 4-506(B)(1) nonresidential: 1.5, increasable to 2.5 by special use permit. Sec. 4-506(B)(2) residential: 1.25 multi-unit, 1.50 single-unit/two-unit/townhouse. Sec. 4-506(B)(4): 2.5 for a public building constructed before January 24, 1998.
Sec. 4-506(C): 50 feet for a building generally; 35 feet for a single-unit, two-unit or townhouse dwelling, increasable to 45 feet where the roof ridge line is parallel to the street and its slope is compatible with neighbouring buildings; 75 feet for a public building constructed before January 24, 1998.
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 CD
AllowedSingle-unit dwelling Sec. 4-502(A)
AllowedTwo-unit dwelling Sec. 4-502(A.1)
AllowedTownhouse dwelling Sec. 4-502(A.2)
AllowedMulti-unit dwelling Sec. 4-502(B)
AllowedAuxiliary dwelling, up to 4 units Sec. 4-502(B.1)
AllowedBusiness and professional office Sec. 4-502(C)
AllowedCemetery Sec. 4-502(D)
AllowedChurch Sec. 4-502(E)
AllowedCity sponsored farmers market Sec. 4-502(F)
AllowedDay care center Sec. 4-502(F.1)
AllowedMedical laboratory Sec. 4-502(G)
AllowedHealth and athletic club or fitness studio Sec. 4-502(G.1)
AllowedHealth profession office Sec. 4-502(H)
AllowedMotor vehicle parking/storage, 20 or fewer vehicles Sec. 4-502(H.1)
AllowedOutdoor dining at commercial complex Sec. 4-502(H.2)
AllowedPersonal service establishment Sec. 4-502(I)
AllowedPrivate school, commercial Sec. 4-502(J)
AllowedPublic school Sec. 4-502(K)
AllowedRadio or TV broadcasting office and studio Sec. 4-502(L)
AllowedRecreation and entertainment use, indoor Sec. 4-502(L.1)
AllowedRetail shopping establishment, up to 20,000 sf Sec. 4-502(M)
AllowedSeminary, convent or monastery Sec. 4-502(N)
AllowedSocial service use Sec. 4-502(N.1)
AllowedUtilities (Sec. 7-1200) Sec. 4-502(O)
AllowedAccessory uses (Sec. 7-100) Sec. 4-502(P)
ConditionalAnimal care facility with overnight accommodation (in commercial complex) Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 4-502.1(A)
ConditionalCo-living dwelling, up to 2 units Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 4-502.1(A.1)
ConditionalOutdoor garden center Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 4-502.1(B)
ConditionalOutdoor market Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 4-502.1(C)
ConditionalOutdoor dining on private property Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 4-502.1(D)
ConditionalRestaurant (standalone) Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 4-502.1(E)
ConditionalValet parking Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 4-502.1(F)
ConditionalAny use with live entertainment Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-503(A)
ConditionalAnimal care facility with overnight accommodation (other) Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-503(A.1)
ConditionalBus shelter on private property Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-503(C)
ConditionalCatering operation Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-503(D)
ConditionalCo-living dwelling (other than admin special) Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-503(E)
ConditionalCongregate housing facility Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-503(F)
ConditionalContinuum of care facility Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-503(G)
ConditionalDay labor agency Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-503(G.1)
ConditionalDrive through facility (banks only on Washington St) Special Use Permit required; limited to banks/S&L/credit unions on Washington St; Sec. 4-503(H.1)
ConditionalFood and beverage production exceeding 5,000 sf with retail component Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-503(I)
ConditionalFraternal or private club Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-503(I.1)
ConditionalFuneral home Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-503(J)
ConditionalHomeless shelter Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-503(M)
ConditionalHospital Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-503(N)
ConditionalHotel Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-503(O)
ConditionalMedical care facility Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-503(P)
ConditionalMotor vehicle parking/storage, more than 20 vehicles Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-503(Q)
ConditionalNewspaper office including printing and publishing Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-503(R)
ConditionalNursing or convalescent home or hospice Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-503(T)
ConditionalOutdoor dining (other than permitted or admin special) Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-503(T.1)
ConditionalOutdoor market (other than admin special) Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-503(T.2)
ConditionalOutdoor garden center (other than admin special) Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-503(T.3)
ConditionalPrivate school, academic, more than 20 students Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-503(U)
ConditionalPublic building Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-503(V)
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.
This is the zone. What about the parcel?
Zone rules are the starting point — the answer for a specific property also depends on lot
size, overlays, existing improvements and site conditions. Run a free address lookup to see
what applies to one property.