The CG zone is Alexandria's general commercial district permitting the widest range of commercial uses, including auto-oriented retail, drive-throughs, and large-footprint commercial. Concentrated along Richmond Highway (US-1), Seminary Road, and Duke Street. Residential use requires an SUP. Nonresidential and residential floor area ratios differ -- see the development standards below.
Development standards in CG
Maximum FAR
0.5
Maximum height
50 ft
Minimum lot size
5000 sq ft
Max density
22 units/acre
Rear setback
8 ft
Sec. 4-406(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. 4-406(C): the maximum permitted height of a building is 50 feet.
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 CG
AllowedSingle-unit dwelling Sec. 4-402(A)
AllowedTwo-unit dwelling Sec. 4-402(A.1)
AllowedTownhouse dwelling Sec. 4-402(A.2)
AllowedMulti-unit dwelling Sec. 4-402(B)
AllowedAuxiliary dwelling, up to 4 units Sec. 4-402(B.1)
AllowedBusiness and professional office Sec. 4-402(C)
AllowedCemetery Sec. 4-402(D)
AllowedChurch Sec. 4-402(E)
AllowedDay care center Sec. 4-402(E.1)
AllowedHealth and athletic club or fitness studio Sec. 4-402(E.2)
AllowedMedical laboratory Sec. 4-402(F)
AllowedOutdoor dining at commercial complex Sec. 4-402(F.1)
AllowedHealth profession office Sec. 4-402(G)
AllowedMotor vehicle parking/storage, 20 or fewer vehicles Sec. 4-402(H)
AllowedPrivate school, commercial Sec. 4-402(H.1)
AllowedPersonal service establishment Sec. 4-402(I)
AllowedPublic school Sec. 4-402(J)
AllowedRecreation and entertainment uses, indoor Sec. 4-402(J.1)
AllowedRestaurant within a commercial complex or hotel Sec. 4-402(J.2)
AllowedRetail shopping establishment, up to 20,000 sf Sec. 4-402(K)
AllowedSeminary, convent or monastery Sec. 4-402(L)
AllowedSocial service use Sec. 4-402(L.1)
AllowedUtilities (Sec. 7-1200) Sec. 4-402(M)
AllowedAccessory uses (Sec. 7-100) Sec. 4-402(N)
ConditionalAnimal care facility with overnight accommodation (in commercial complex) Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 4-402.1(A)
ConditionalCo-living dwelling, not to exceed two units Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 4-402.1(A.1)
ConditionalRestaurant Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 4-402.1(B)
ConditionalOutdoor garden center Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 4-402.1(C)
ConditionalOutdoor market Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 4-402.1(D)
ConditionalOutdoor dining on private property Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 4-402.1(E)
ConditionalValet parking Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 4-402.1(G)
ConditionalAny use with live entertainment Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-403(A)
ConditionalAnimal care facility with overnight accommodation Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-403(B)
ConditionalAutomobile service station Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-403(C)
ConditionalAutomobile and trailer rental or sales Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-403(D)
ConditionalBus shelter on private property Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-403(D.1)
ConditionalCo-living dwelling (other than admin special) Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-403(E)
ConditionalCongregate housing facility Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-403(F)
ConditionalContinuum of care facility Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-403(G)
ConditionalDay labor agency Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-403(H)
ConditionalDrive through facility Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-403(I)
ConditionalFood and beverage production exceeding 5,000 sf with retail component Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-403(J)
ConditionalFraternal or private club Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-403(K)
ConditionalFuneral home Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-403(L)
ConditionalHospital Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-403(O)
ConditionalHotel Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-403(P)
ConditionalLaundry, dry cleaning operation Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-403(Q)
ConditionalLight automobile repair Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-403(R)
ConditionalMedical care facility Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-403(S)
ConditionalMotor vehicle parking/storage, more than 20 vehicles Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-403(T)
ConditionalNursing or convalescent home or hospice Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-403(V)
ConditionalOutdoor dining (other than permitted or admin special) Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-403(V.1)
ConditionalOutdoor market (other than admin special) Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-403(V.2)
ConditionalOutdoor garden center (other than admin special) Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-403(V.3)
ConditionalPrivate school, academic, more than 20 students Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-403(W)
ConditionalPublic building Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-403(X)
ConditionalRecreation and entertainment use, outdoor Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-403(Y)
ConditionalRetail shopping establishment, larger than 20,000 sf Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-403(Y.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.
This is the zone. What about the parcel?
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