The CDX zone (shown as CD-X in the ordinance) is applied to areas adjacent to the downtown CD zone that can accommodate greater density than CD. Building height is set by the Old Town North Small Area Plan rather than by a figure in the zoning ordinance. Common in the transition zone between Old Town and Braddock Road, and along the waterfront. Mixed-use development with ground-floor activation is the norm.
Development standards in CDX
Maximum FAR
1.5
Minimum lot size
5000 sq ft
Max density
35 units/acre
Side setback
8 ft
Sec. 4-606(B)(1) nonresidential: 1.5; may be increased to not more than 2.5 with a special use permit, and to 2.5 without a permit for a lot of 12,000 sq ft or less under common ownership in a retail focus area with underground parking per Sec. 6-504. Sec. 4-606(B)(2) residential: 1.25.
Sec. 4-606(C): the maximum permitted height of a building is that height indicated in the Old Town North Small Area Plan. Sec. 4-606(d) caps certain townhouse configurations at 50 feet. The zoning ordinance sets no general numeric cap.
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 CDX
AllowedSingle-unit dwelling Sec. 4-602(A)
AllowedTwo-unit dwelling Sec. 4-602(A.1)
AllowedTownhouse dwelling Sec. 4-602(A.2)
AllowedMulti-unit dwelling Sec. 4-602(B)
AllowedAuxiliary dwelling, up to 4 units Sec. 4-602(B.1)
AllowedBusiness and professional office Sec. 4-602(C)
AllowedChurch Sec. 4-602(D)
AllowedDay care center Sec. 4-602(D.1)
AllowedMedical laboratory Sec. 4-602(E)
AllowedHealth and athletic club or fitness studio Sec. 4-602(E.1)
AllowedHealth profession office Sec. 4-602(F)
AllowedMotor vehicle parking/storage, 20 or fewer vehicles Sec. 4-602(F.1)
AllowedOutdoor dining at commercial complex Sec. 4-602(F.2)
AllowedPersonal service establishment Sec. 4-602(G)
AllowedPrivate school, commercial Sec. 4-602(H)
AllowedPublic school Sec. 4-602(I)
AllowedRadio or TV broadcasting facility Sec. 4-602(J)
AllowedRecreation and entertainment use, indoor Sec. 4-602(J.1)
AllowedRetail shopping establishment, up to 20,000 sf Sec. 4-602(K)
AllowedRestaurant within a commercial complex or hotel Sec. 4-602(K.1)
AllowedSeminary, convent or monastery Sec. 4-602(L)
AllowedSocial service use Sec. 4-602(L.1)
AllowedUtilities (Sec. 7-1200) Sec. 4-602(M)
AllowedAccessory uses (Sec. 7-100) Sec. 4-602(N)
ConditionalAnimal care facility with overnight accommodation (in commercial complex) Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 4-602.1(A)
ConditionalCo-living dwelling, up to 2 units Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 4-602.1(A.1)
ConditionalOutdoor garden center Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 4-602.1(C)
ConditionalOutdoor market Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 4-602.1(D)
ConditionalOutdoor dining on private property Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 4-602.1(E)
ConditionalRestaurant (standalone) Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 4-602.1(F)
ConditionalValet parking Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 4-602.1(G)
ConditionalAny use with live entertainment Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-603(A)
ConditionalAnimal care facility with overnight accommodation (other) Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-603(A.1)
ConditionalBus shelter on private property Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-603(B.1)
ConditionalCatering operation Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-603(C)
ConditionalCo-living dwelling (other than admin special) Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-603(D)
ConditionalCongregate housing facility Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-603(E)
ConditionalContinuum of care facility Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-603(F)
ConditionalDay labor agency Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-603(F.1)
ConditionalFood and beverage production exceeding 5,000 sf with retail component Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-603(G)
ConditionalFraternal or private club Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-603(H)
ConditionalFuneral home Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-603(I)
ConditionalHomeless shelter Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-603(L)
ConditionalHospital Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-603(M)
ConditionalHotel Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-603(N)
ConditionalMedical care facility Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-603(O)
ConditionalMotor vehicle parking/storage, more than 20 vehicles Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-603(O.1)
ConditionalNewspaper office including printing and publishing Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-603(P)
ConditionalNursing or convalescent home or hospice Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-603(R)
ConditionalOutdoor dining (other than permitted or admin special) Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-603(R.1)
ConditionalOutdoor market (other than admin special) Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-603(R.2)
ConditionalOutdoor garden center (other than admin special) Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-603(R.3)
ConditionalPrivate school, academic, more than 20 students Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-603(S)
ConditionalPublic building Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-603(T)
ConditionalRecreation and entertainment use, outdoor Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-603(U)
ConditionalRetail shopping establishment, larger than 20,000 sf Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-603(U.1)
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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