CRMU/XCRMU/X / Commercial Residential Mixed Use - Extended
Alexandria, VA · Alexandria Zoning Ordinance
The CRMU/X zone is the highest-intensity mixed-use designation in Alexandria, applied to major transit nodes and flagship redevelopment sites. Heights can reach 150 feet or more, FAR up to 5.0. Like CRMU/H, DUA limits were removed in 2023. CRMU/X sites anchor neighborhood centers around Metro stations.
Development standards in CRMU/X
Maximum FAR
1.5
Front setback
0 ft
Sec. 5-406(A): if no special use permit is sought, only single-unit, two-unit and townhouses at a maximum floor area ratio of 1.5 are permitted. Sec. 5-406(B): with a special use permit the floor area ratio may be increased to not more than 2.5. Continuum of care: 1.5 including .25 of retail use.
Sec. 5-407: the maximum permitted height of buildings is that height indicated in the Old Town North 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/X
AllowedSingle-unit dwelling Sec. 5-402(A)
AllowedTwo-unit dwelling Sec. 5-402(A.1)
AllowedTownhouse dwelling Sec. 5-402(A.2)
AllowedAuxiliary dwelling, not to exceed four units; (A.3.1) Church Sec. 5-402(A.3)
AllowedMotor vehicle parking or storage for 20 vehicles or fewer Sec. 5-402(A.4)
AllowedDay care center Sec. 5-402(A.5)
AllowedPersonal service establishment Sec. 5-402(A.6)
AllowedPrivate school, commercial Sec. 5-402(A.7)
AllowedPublic school Sec. 5-402(A.8)
AllowedRecreation and entertainment use, indoor; (A.9.1) Restaurant within a commercial complex or hotel; (A.10) Retail shipping establishment, up to 20,000 gross square feet; (A.11) Multi-unit dwelling Sec. 5-402(A.9)
AllowedUtilities, subject to section 7-1200 Sec. 5-402(B)
AllowedAccessory uses, as permitted by section 7-100 Sec. 5-402(C)
AllowedBusiness and professional office, above the ground floor Sec. 5-402(D)
AllowedHealth profession office, above the ground floor Sec. 5-402(E)
AllowedHealth and athletic club or fitness studio Sec. 5-402(F)
AllowedSocial service use Sec. 5-402(G)
AllowedOutdoor dining located on private property within a commercial complex Sec. 5-402(H)
ConditionalCo-living dwelling, not to exceed two units Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 5-402.1(A)
ConditionalOutdoor dining on private property Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 5-402.1(B)
ConditionalOutdoor garden center Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 5-402.1(C)
ConditionalOutdoor market Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 5-402.1(D)
ConditionalRestaurant Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 5-402.1(E)
ConditionalValet parking Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 5-402.1(F)
ConditionalMulti-unit dwelling Special Use Permit required; Sec. 5-403(A)
ConditionalAny use with live entertainment Special Use Permit required; Sec. 5-403(B)
ConditionalBusiness and professional office, on the ground floor of buildings facing the sidewalk Special Use Permit required; Sec. 5-403(D)
ConditionalBus shelter on private property Special Use Permit required; Sec. 5-403(E)
ConditionalCo-living dwelling, other than pursuant to section 5-402.1 Special Use Permit required; Sec. 5-403(E.1)
ConditionalCongregate housing facility Special Use Permit required; Sec. 5-403(F)
ConditionalContinuum of care facility Special Use Permit required; Sec. 5-403(G)
ConditionalFood or beverage production exceeding 5,000 square feet, which includes a retail component Special Use Permit required; Sec. 5-403(H)
ConditionalFraternal or private club Special Use Permit required; Sec. 5-403(I)
ConditionalHealth profession office, on the ground floor of buildings facing the sidewalk Special Use Permit required; Sec. 5-403(K)
ConditionalHotel Special Use Permit required; Sec. 5-403(L)
ConditionalMedical care facility Special Use Permit required; Sec. 5-403(M)
ConditionalMedical laboratory Special Use Permit required; Sec. 5-403(N)
ConditionalMotor vehicle parking or storage for more than 20 vehicles Special Use Permit required; Sec. 5-403(O.1)
ConditionalNursing or convalescent home or hospice Special Use Permit required; Sec. 5-403(P)
ConditionalOutdoor dining on private property, other than pursuant to sections 5-402 and 5-402.1 Special Use Permit required; Sec. 5-403(P.1)
ConditionalOutdoor market, other than pursuant to section 5-402.1 Special Use Permit required; Sec. 5-403(P.2)
ConditionalOutdoor garden center, other than pursuant to section 5-402.1 Special Use Permit required; Sec. 5-403(P.3)
ConditionalPrivate school, academic, with more than 20 students on the premises at one time Special Use Permit required; Sec. 5-403(S)
ConditionalPublic building Special Use Permit required; Sec. 5-403(T)
ConditionalRadio or television broadcasting office and studio Special Use Permit required; Sec. 5-403(U)
ConditionalRecreation and entertainment use, outdoor Special Use Permit required; Sec. 5-403(V)
ConditionalRetail shopping establishment, larger than 20,000 gross square feet Special Use Permit required; Sec. 5-403(W)
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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