CRMU/HCRMU/H / Commercial Residential Mixed Use - High
Alexandria, VA · Alexandria Zoning Ordinance
The CRMU/H zone is a high-intensity mixed-use district applied near Metro stations and major redevelopment corridors. Building height is set by the applicable small area plan rather than by a figure in the zoning ordinance. Permitted floor area ratio depends on whether the parcel is developed for a single use or a mixture of uses, and on whether a special use permit is sought. Ground-floor retail is often required by site-specific conditions. Properties in CRMU/H represent Alexandria's highest transit-oriented redevelopment potential.
Development standards in CRMU/H
Maximum FAR
1.25
Front setback
0 ft
Sec. 5-305: single-use by right -- commercial 1.25, or residential 1.0 (1.50 for single-unit, two-unit and townhouse dwellings in the Old and Historic Alexandria and Parker-Gray Districts). Mixed use with at least 25 percent residential: 1.25 plus an additional .25 of retail. With a special use permit: up to 2.5. No 3.0 figure appears in this section.
Sec. 5-306: the maximum permitted height of buildings is that height indicated in the applicable small area plan. The zoning ordinance sets no 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 CRMU/H
AllowedSingle-unit dwelling Sec. 5-302(A)
AllowedTwo-unit dwelling Sec. 5-302(A.1)
AllowedTownhouse dwelling Sec. 5-302(A.2)
AllowedMulti-unit dwelling Sec. 5-302(B)
AllowedAuxiliary dwelling, not to exceed four units Sec. 5-302(B.1)
AllowedBusiness and professional office Sec. 5-302(C)
AllowedChurch Sec. 5-302(C.1)
AllowedDay care center Sec. 5-302(C.2)
AllowedHealth and athletic club or fitness studio Sec. 5-302(C.3)
AllowedMedical laboratory Sec. 5-302(D)
AllowedHealth profession office Sec. 5-302(E)
AllowedMotor vehicle parking or storage for 20 vehicles or fewer Sec. 5-302(E.1)
AllowedOutdoor dining located on private property at a commercial complex Sec. 5-302(E.2)
AllowedPersonal service establishment Sec. 5-302(F)
AllowedPrivate school, commercial Sec. 5-302(F.1)
AllowedPublic school Sec. 5-302(F.2)
AllowedRadio or television broadcasting office and studio Sec. 5-302(G)
AllowedRecreation and entertainment use, indoor Sec. 5-302(G.1)
AllowedRestaurant located within a commercial complex or hotel Sec. 5-302(G.2)
AllowedRetail shopping establishment, up to 20,000 gross square feet Sec. 5-302(H)
AllowedSocial service use Sec. 5-302(H.1)
AllowedUtilities, as permitted by section 7-1200 Sec. 5-302(I)
AllowedAccessory uses, as permitted by section 7-100 Sec. 5-302(J)
ConditionalCo-living dwelling, not to exceed two units Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 5-302.1(A)
ConditionalOutdoor dining on private property Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 5-302.1(B)
ConditionalOutdoor garden center Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 5-302.1(C)
ConditionalOutdoor market Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 5-302.1(D)
ConditionalRestaurant Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 5-302.1(E)
ConditionalValet parking Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 5-302.1(F)
ConditionalAny use with live entertainment Special Use Permit required; Sec. 5-303(A)
ConditionalBus shelter on private property Special Use Permit required; Sec. 5-303(B.1)
ConditionalCo-living dwelling, other than pursuant to section 5-302.1 Special Use Permit required; Sec. 5-303(C)
ConditionalCongregate housing facility Special Use Permit required; Sec. 5-303(D)
ConditionalContinuum of care facility Special Use Permit required; Sec. 5-303(E)
ConditionalDrive through facility Special Use Permit required; Sec. 5-303(G)
ConditionalFood or beverage production exceeding 5,000 square feet, which includes a retail component Special Use Permit required; Sec. 5-303(H)
ConditionalHomeless shelter Special Use Permit required; Sec. 5-303(I.1)
ConditionalHotel Special Use Permit required; Sec. 5-303(J)
ConditionalMedical care facility Special Use Permit required; Sec. 5-303(J.1)
ConditionalMotor vehicle parking or storage for more than 20 vehicles Special Use Permit required; Sec. 5-303(K)
ConditionalNursing or convalescent home or hospice Special Use Permit required; Sec. 5-303(L)
ConditionalOutdoor dining on private property, other than pursuant to sections 5.302 and 5-302.1 Special Use Permit required; Sec. 5-303(L.1)
ConditionalOutdoor market, other than pursuant to section 5-202.1 Special Use Permit required; Sec. 5-303(L.2)
ConditionalOutdoor garden center, other than pursuant to section 5-202.1 Special Use Permit required; Sec. 5-303(L.3)
ConditionalPrivate school, academic, with more than 20 students on the premises at one time Special Use Permit required; Sec. 5-303(M)
ConditionalRecreation and entertainment use, outdoor Special Use Permit required; Sec. 5-303(N)
ConditionalRetail shopping establishment, larger than 20,000 gross square feet Special Use Permit required; Sec. 5-303(O)
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.