The OC zone is a medium-density office commercial district for professional campuses and institutional uses. Common near hospitals and suburban office nodes. Limited accessory retail is permitted. Zone transition setbacks, previously required when adjacent to residential zones, were removed in 2023. Nonresidential and residential floor area ratios differ -- see the development standards below.
Development standards in OC
Maximum FAR
1
Maximum height
50 ft
Minimum lot size
5000 sq ft
Max density
22 units/acre
Side setback
8 ft
Rear setback
8 ft
Sec. 4-806(B)(1) nonresidential: 1.00. Residential: 1.25, not to exceed 22 units per acre for townhouse development; 1.50 for single-unit, two-unit and townhouse dwellings within the Old and Historic Alexandria and Parker-Gray Districts, not to exceed 30 units per acre.
Sec. 4-806(C): the maximum permitted height of a building is 50 feet.
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 OC
AllowedSingle-unit dwelling Sec. 4-802(A)
AllowedTwo-unit dwelling Sec. 4-802(A.1)
AllowedTownhouse dwelling Sec. 4-802(A.2)
AllowedMulti-unit dwelling Sec. 4-802(B)
AllowedAuxiliary dwelling, up to 4 units Sec. 4-802(B.1)
AllowedBusiness and professional office Sec. 4-802(C)
AllowedCemetery Sec. 4-802(D)
AllowedChurch Sec. 4-802(E)
AllowedDay care center Sec. 4-802(E.1)
AllowedHealth and athletic club or fitness studio Sec. 4-802(E.2)
AllowedMedical laboratory Sec. 4-802(F)
AllowedHealth profession office Sec. 4-802(G)
AllowedMotor vehicle parking/storage, 20 or fewer vehicles Sec. 4-802(G.1)
AllowedOutdoor dining at commercial complex Sec. 4-802(G.2)
AllowedPersonal service establishment Sec. 4-802(H)
AllowedPrivate school, commercial Sec. 4-802(I)
AllowedPublic school Sec. 4-802(I.1)
AllowedRadio or TV broadcasting office and studio Sec. 4-802(J)
AllowedRecreation and entertainment use, indoor Sec. 4-802(J.1)
AllowedRetail shopping establishment, up to 20,000 sf Sec. 4-802(K)
AllowedRestaurant within a commercial complex or hotel Sec. 4-802(K.1)
AllowedSeminary, convent or monastery Sec. 4-802(L)
AllowedSocial service use Sec. 4-802(L.1)
AllowedUtilities (Sec. 7-1200) Sec. 4-802(M)
AllowedAccessory uses (Sec. 7-100) Sec. 4-802(N)
ConditionalAnimal care facility with overnight accommodation (in commercial complex) Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 4-802.1(A)
ConditionalCo-living dwelling, up to 2 units Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 4-802.1(A.1)
ConditionalRestaurant (standalone) Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 4-802.1(B)
ConditionalOutdoor garden center Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 4-802.1(C)
ConditionalOutdoor market Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 4-802.1(D)
ConditionalOutdoor dining on private property Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 4-802.1(E)
ConditionalValet parking Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 4-802.1(G)
ConditionalAny use with live entertainment Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-803(A)
ConditionalAnimal care facility with overnight accommodation (other) Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-803(A.1)
ConditionalAutomobile service station Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-803(C)
ConditionalBus shelter on private property Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-803(C.1)
ConditionalCatering operation Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-803(D)
ConditionalCo-living dwelling (other than admin special) Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-803(E)
ConditionalCongregate housing facility Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-803(F)
ConditionalContinuum of care facility Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-803(G)
ConditionalDay labor agency Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-803(H)
ConditionalDrive through facility Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-803(I)
ConditionalFood and beverage production exceeding 5,000 sf with retail component Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-803(J)
ConditionalFraternal or private club Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-803(K)
ConditionalFuneral home Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-803(L)
ConditionalHomeless shelter Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-803(O)
ConditionalHospital Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-803(P)
ConditionalHotel Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-803(Q)
ConditionalInterstate bus station Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-803(R)
ConditionalLight automobile repair Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-803(S)
ConditionalMedical care facility Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-803(T)
ConditionalMotor vehicle parking/storage, more than 20 vehicles Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-803(U)
ConditionalNursing or convalescent home or hospice Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-803(W)
ConditionalOutdoor dining (other than permitted or admin special) Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-803(W.1)
ConditionalOutdoor market (other than admin special) Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-803(W.2)
ConditionalOutdoor garden center (other than admin special) Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-803(W.3)
ConditionalPrivate school, academic, more than 20 students Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-803(X)
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?
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what applies to one property.