The CL zone is a low-intensity commercial district along neighborhood corridors. Height limit is 35 feet, FAR 0.5. Per the Zoning for Housing initiative, the city recognized that CL setback and lot width requirements are often more restrictive than adjacent residential zones, creating barriers to compatible mixed-use infill. Reforms to CL standards are ongoing.
Development standards in CL
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. 4-106(B)(1) nonresidential: .75 on lots of 5,500 sq ft or less; .5 on larger lots, increasable to .75 by special use permit. Sec. 4-106(B)(2) residential: .75 (max 22 units/acre for townhouses), or 1.50 (max 30 units/acre) for single-unit, two-unit and townhouse dwellings within the Old and Historic Alexandria and Parker-Gray Districts.
Sec. 4-106(C): 35 feet by right, increasable to a gross height of 45 feet with a special use permit where the roof is sloped with its ridge line parallel to the street. 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 CL
AllowedSingle-unit dwelling Sec. 4-102(A)
AllowedTwo-unit dwelling Sec. 4-102(A.1)
AllowedTownhouse dwelling Sec. 4-102(A.2)
AllowedMulti-unit dwelling Sec. 4-102(B)
AllowedAuxiliary dwelling, up to 4 units Sec. 4-102(B.1)
AllowedBusiness and professional office Sec. 4-102(C)
AllowedCemetery Sec. 4-102(D)
AllowedChurch Sec. 4-102(E)
AllowedDay care center Sec. 4-102(E.1)
AllowedMedical laboratory Sec. 4-102(F)
AllowedHealth and athletic club or fitness studio Sec. 4-102(F.1)
AllowedHealth profession office Sec. 4-102(G)
AllowedMotor vehicle parking/storage, 20 or fewer vehicles Sec. 4-102(G.1)
AllowedOutdoor dining at commercial complex Sec. 4-102(G.2)
AllowedPersonal service establishment Sec. 4-102(H)
AllowedPrivate school, commercial Sec. 4-102(I)
AllowedPublic school Sec. 4-102(J)
AllowedRecreation and entertainment use, indoor Sec. 4-102(J.1)
AllowedRestaurant within a commercial complex Sec. 4-102(J.2)
AllowedRetail shopping establishment, up to 20,000 sf Sec. 4-102(K)
AllowedSeminary, convent or monastery Sec. 4-102(L)
AllowedSocial service use Sec. 4-102(L.1)
AllowedUtilities (Sec. 7-1200) Sec. 4-102(M)
AllowedAccessory uses (Sec. 7-100) Sec. 4-102(N)
ConditionalAnimal care facility with overnight accommodation (in commercial complex) Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 4-102.1(A)
ConditionalCo-living dwelling, up to 2 units Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 4-102.1(A.1)
ConditionalRestaurant (standalone) Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 4-102.1(B)
ConditionalOutdoor garden center Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 4-102.1(C)
ConditionalOutdoor market Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 4-102.1(D)
ConditionalOutdoor dining on private property Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 4-102.1(E)
ConditionalValet parking Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 4-102.1(G)
ConditionalAnimal care facility with overnight accommodation (other) Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-103(A)
ConditionalAny use with live entertainment Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-103(A.1)
ConditionalBus shelter on private property Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-103(A.2)
ConditionalCo-living dwelling (other than admin special) Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-103(B)
ConditionalCongregate housing facility Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-103(C)
ConditionalContinuum of care facility Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-103(D)
ConditionalDay labor agency Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-103(C.1)
ConditionalFraternal or private club Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-103(E)
ConditionalFuneral home Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-103(F)
ConditionalMotor vehicle parking/storage, more than 20 vehicles Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-103(H)
ConditionalMedical care facility Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-103(I)
ConditionalNursing or convalescent home or hospice Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-103(J)
ConditionalOutdoor dining (other than permitted or admin special) Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-103(J.1)
ConditionalOutdoor market (other than admin special) Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-103(J.2)
ConditionalOutdoor garden center (other than admin special) Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-103(J.3)
ConditionalPrivate school, academic, more than 20 students Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-103(K)
ConditionalPublic building Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-103(L)
ConditionalRecreation and entertainment use, outdoor Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-103(L.1)
ConditionalRetail shopping establishment, larger than 20,000 sf Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-103(M)
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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