CRMU/LCRMU/L / Commercial Residential Mixed Use - Low
Alexandria, VA · Alexandria Zoning Ordinance
The CRMU/L zone is a low-intensity mixed-use district allowing ground-floor commercial with residential above, or standalone residential. Height 45 feet, FAR 1.0. DUA limits were removed Nov 2023 per Sec. 12-1000 to allow smaller, more affordable units. Common in transitional areas between residential neighborhoods and commercial corridors.
Development standards in CRMU/L
Maximum FAR
1
Front setback
0 ft
Sec. 5-105(A) single use: commercial .75, or residential 1.0 (1.50 for single-unit, two-unit and townhouse dwellings in the Old and Historic Alexandria and Parker-Gray Districts). Sec. 5-105(B) mixed use with at least 25 percent residential: 1.0. Sec. 5-105(C): up to 1.5 with a special use permit where at least 50 percent of floor space is residential.
Sec. 5-106: 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/L
AllowedSingle-unit dwelling Sec. 5-102(A)
AllowedTwo-unit dwelling Sec. 5-102(A.1)
AllowedTownhouse dwelling Sec. 5-102(A.2)
AllowedMulti-unit dwelling Sec. 5-102(B)
AllowedAuxiliary dwellings, not to exceed four units Sec. 5-102(B.1)
AllowedBusiness and professional office Sec. 5-102(C)
AllowedChurch Sec. 5-102(C.1)
AllowedDay care center Sec. 5-102(C.2)
AllowedHealth and athletic club or fitness studio Sec. 5-102(C.3)
AllowedMedical laboratory Sec. 5-102(D)
AllowedHealth profession office Sec. 5-102(E)
AllowedMotor vehicle parking or storage for 20 vehicles or fewer Sec. 5-102(E.1)
AllowedOutdoor dining located on private property at a commercial complex Sec. 5-102(E.2)
AllowedPersonal service establishment Sec. 5-102(F)
AllowedPrivate school, commercial Sec. 5-102(F.1)
AllowedPublic school Sec. 5-102(F.2)
AllowedRadio or television broadcasting office and studio Sec. 5-102(G)
AllowedRecreation and entertainment use, indoor Sec. 5-102(G.1)
AllowedRestaurant located within a commercial complex or hotel Sec. 5-102(G.2)
AllowedRetail shopping establishment, up to 20,000 gross square feet Sec. 5-102(H)
AllowedSocial service use Sec. 5-102(H.1)
AllowedUtilities, as permitted by section 7-1200 Sec. 5-102(I)
AllowedAccessory uses, as permitted by section 7-100 Sec. 5-102(J)
ConditionalCo-living dwelling, not to exceed two units Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 5-102.1(A)
ConditionalOutdoor dining on private property Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 5-102.1(B)
ConditionalOutdoor garden center Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 5-102.1(C)
ConditionalOutdoor market Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 5-102.1(D)
ConditionalRestaurant Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 5-102.1(E)
ConditionalValet parking Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 5-102.1(F)
ConditionalAny use with live entertainment Special Use Permit required; Sec. 5-103(A)
ConditionalBus shelter on private property Special Use Permit required; Sec. 5-103(B.1)
ConditionalCo-living dwelling, other than pursuant to section 5-102.1 Special Use Permit required; Sec. 5-103(C)
ConditionalCongregate housing facility Special Use Permit required; Sec. 5-103(D)
ConditionalContinuum of care facility Special Use Permit required; Sec. 5-103(E)
ConditionalDrive through facility Special Use Permit required; Sec. 5-103(G)
ConditionalFood or beverage production exceeding 5,000 square feet, which includes a retail component Special Use Permit required; Sec. 5-103(H)
ConditionalHotel Special Use Permit required; Sec. 5-103(J)
ConditionalMedical care facility Special Use Permit required; Sec. 5-103(J.1)
ConditionalMotor vehicle parking or storage for more than 20 vehicles Special Use Permit required; Sec. 5-103(K)
ConditionalOutdoor dining on private property, other than pursuant to sections 5-102 and 5-102.1 Special Use Permit required; Sec. 5-103(K.1)
ConditionalOutdoor market, other than pursuant to section 5-102.1 Special Use Permit required; Sec. 5-103(K.2)
ConditionalOutdoor garden center, other than pursuant to section 5-102.1 Special Use Permit required; Sec. 5-103(K.3)
ConditionalNursing or convalescent home or hospice Special Use Permit required; Sec. 5-103(L)
ConditionalPrivate school, academic, with more than 20 students on the premises at one time Special Use Permit required; Sec. 5-103(M)
ConditionalRecreation and entertainment use, outdoor Special Use Permit required; Sec. 5-103(N)
ConditionalRetail shopping establishment, larger than 20,000 gross square feet Special Use Permit required; Sec. 5-103(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.
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