Alexandria, VA · Alexandria Zoning Ordinance
The CRMU/M zone is Alexandria's most common mixed-use designation, applied along neighborhood commercial corridors such as Mt. Vernon Avenue, Duke Street, and Seminary Road. 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 with residential above is the expected development pattern.
| Front setback | Single-family and two-family dwellings: Not computed here: the ordinance makes it depend on facts about the site | 5-211(C)(1) |
|---|---|---|
| Multifamily: The ordinance sets no figure for this case | 5-205(A) | |
| Side setback | Single-family detached: At least 0 ft if the lot width is less than 25 ft; otherwise the greater of 8 ft and the building height divided by 3 | 5-211(C)(2) |
| Two-family: At least 0 ft if the lot width is less than 25 ft; otherwise the greater of 8 ft and the building height divided by 3 | 5-211(C)(2) | |
| Single-family attached, interior end lot: At least the greater of 8 ft and the building height divided by 3 if the lot width is more than 25 ft; otherwise 0 ft | 5-211(C)(2) | |
| Single-family attached, not an interior end lot lot: No requirement | 5-211(C)(2) | |
| Multifamily: The ordinance sets no figure for this case | 5-205(A) | |
| Side setbacks combined | The ordinance sets no figure for this case | 5-205(A) |
| Rear setback | Single-family and two-family dwellings: At least the greater of 8 ft and the building height minus half of the width of the alley the lot abuts (0 if none) | 5-211(C)(3) |
| Multifamily: The ordinance sets no figure for this case | 5-205(A) | |
| Maximum height | Not computed here: the ordinance makes it depend on facts about the site | 5-206 |
| Maximum FAR | Other principal uses, commercial: At most 0.75 “In the case of either (1) or (2), an additional .25 of retail use is permitted.” | 5-205(A) |
| Multifamily: At most 1 “In the case of either (1) or (2), an additional .25 of retail use is permitted.” | 5-205(A) | |
| Single-family and two-family dwellings: At most 1 “In the case of either (1) or (2), an additional .25 of retail use is permitted.” | 5-205(A) | |
| Single-family and two-family dwellings: At most 1.5 “In the case of either (1) or (2), an additional .25 of retail use is permitted.” | 5-205(A) | |
| Mixed-use building, mixed use: At most 1 “If a parcel is developed for both commercial and residential use, and the residential use constitutes at least 25 percent of the floor space of the development, the maximum permitted floor area ratio is 1.0 plus an additional .25 of retail use.” | 5-205(B) | |
| Residential or mixed use with a special use permit: Not computed here: the ordinance makes it depend on facts about the site | 5-205(A) | |
| Continuum of care facility, continuum of care facility: Not computed here: the ordinance makes it depend on facts about the site | 5-205(A) | |
| Mixed-use building, mixed use with residential under 25 percent of floor space: The ordinance sets no figure for this case | 5-205(A) | |
| Max density | The ordinance sets no figure for this case | 5-205(A) |
| Minimum lot size | Single-family detached: At least 5,000 sq ft | 5-211(A) |
| Two-family: At least 2,500 times the number of dwelling units | 5-211(A) | |
| Single-family attached and multifamily: The ordinance sets no figure for this case | 5-205(A) | |
| Minimum lot width | Single-family detached: At least 50 ft | 5-211(B) |
| Two-family: At least 50 ft | 5-211(B) | |
| Two-family: At least 25 times the number of dwelling units | 5-211(B) | |
| Single-family attached and multifamily: The ordinance sets no figure for this case | 5-205(A) | |
| Maximum lot coverage | The ordinance sets no figure for this case | 5-205(A) |
| Minimum open space | Dwellings (all types): At least 35% “provided however that a portion of the space which would otherwise be required as green area may be met by comparable amenities and/or facilities provided in lieu thereof” | 5-207(A) |
| Continuum of care facility, continuum of care facility: Not computed here: the ordinance makes it depend on facts about the site | 5-205(A) |
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.
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