The OCM zone has two height subdistricts: OCM(50) at 50 feet and OCM(100) at 100 feet. FAR ranges from 2.0 to 4.0 depending on subdistrict. Common near the Eisenhower Avenue Metro corridor and major employment centers. Office is the primary use; residential may be permitted by SUP in some subdistricts.
Development standards in OCM(100)
Maximum FAR
1.5
Maximum height
100 ft
Max density
54.45 units/acre
Sec. 4-1005(C): 1.50 for both nonresidential and residential uses. No special-use-permit FAR increase.
Sec. 4-1005(D): 100 feet by right, with additional height up to 150 feet available by special use permit.
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 OCM(100)
AllowedSingle-unit dwelling Sec. 4-902(A) / 4-1002(A)
AllowedTwo-unit dwelling Sec. 4-902(A.1) / 4-1002(A.1)
AllowedTownhouse dwelling Sec. 4-902(A.2) / 4-1002(A.2)
AllowedMulti-unit dwelling Sec. 4-902(B) / 4-1002(B)
AllowedAuxiliary dwelling, up to 4 units Sec. 4-902(B.1) / 4-1002(B.1)
AllowedBusiness and professional office Sec. 4-902(C) / 4-1002(C)
AllowedBusiness offices with or without accessory indoor storage Sec. 4-902(C.2) / 4-1002(C.2)
AllowedCemetery Sec. 4-902(D) / 4-1002(D)
AllowedChurch Sec. 4-902(E) / 4-1002(E)
AllowedDay care center Sec. 4-902(E.1) / 4-1002(E.1)
AllowedHealth and athletic club or fitness studio Sec. 4-902(E.2) / 4-1002(E.2)
AllowedMedical laboratory Sec. 4-902(F) / 4-1002(F)
AllowedHealth profession office Sec. 4-902(G) / 4-1002(G)
AllowedMotor vehicle parking/storage, 20 or fewer vehicles Sec. 4-902(G.1) / 4-1002(G.1)
AllowedOutdoor dining at commercial complex Sec. 4-902(G.2) / 4-1002(G.2)
AllowedPersonal service establishment Sec. 4-902(H) / 4-1002(H)
AllowedPrivate school, commercial Sec. 4-902(I) / 4-1002(I)
AllowedPublic school Sec. 4-902(I.1) / 4-1002(I.1)
AllowedRadio or TV broadcasting office and studio Sec. 4-902(J) / 4-1002(J)
AllowedRecreation and entertainment use, indoor Sec. 4-902(J.1) / 4-1002(J.1)
AllowedRetail shopping establishment, up to 20,000 sf Sec. 4-902(K) / 4-1002(K)
AllowedRestaurant within a commercial complex, hotel or industrial/flex center Sec. 4-902(K.1) / 4-1002(K.1)
AllowedSeminary, convent or monastery Sec. 4-902(L) / 4-1002(L)
AllowedSocial service use Sec. 4-902(L.1) / 4-1002(L.1)
AllowedUtilities (Sec. 7-1200) Sec. 4-902(M) / 4-1002(M)
AllowedAccessory uses (Sec. 7-100) Sec. 4-902(N) / 4-1002(N)
ConditionalAnimal care facility with overnight accommodation (in commercial complex) Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 4-902.1(A) / 4-1002.1(A)
ConditionalCo-living dwelling, up to 2 units Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 4-902.1(A.2) / 4-1002.1(A.1)
ConditionalCatering operation in industrial/flex space center Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 4-902.1(A.1) / 4-1002.1(A.2)
ConditionalLight assembly, service and crafts in industrial/flex center (OCM100 only) Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 4-1002.1(B)
ConditionalLight auto repair in industrial/flex space center Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 4-902.1 / 4-1002.1(B.1)
ConditionalAny use with live entertainment Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-903(A) / 4-1003(A)
ConditionalAnimal care facility with overnight accommodation (other) Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-903(A.1) / 4-1003(A.1)
ConditionalAutomobile service station Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-903(C) / 4-1003(C)
ConditionalBus shelter on private property Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-903(D) / 4-1003(C.1)
ConditionalCatering operation (other than admin special) Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-1003(D)
ConditionalCo-living dwelling (other than admin special) Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-903(D.2) / 4-1003(E)
ConditionalCongregate housing facility Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-903(D.3) / 4-1003(F)
ConditionalContinuum of care facility Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-903(D.4) / 4-1003(G)
ConditionalDay labor agency Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-903(E) / 4-1003(H.1)
ConditionalDrive through facility Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-903(F) / 4-1003(J)
ConditionalFood and beverage production exceeding 5,000 sf with retail component (OCM50) Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-903(G)
ConditionalFraternal or private club Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-903(K) / 4-1003(K)
ConditionalFuneral home Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-903(L) / 4-1003(L)
ConditionalHomeless shelter Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-903(O) / 4-1003(O)
ConditionalHospital Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-903(P) / 4-1003(P)
ConditionalHotel Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-903(Q) / 4-1003(Q)
ConditionalInterstate bus station Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-903(R) / 4-1003(R)
ConditionalLight assembly, service and crafts (other than admin special) Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-903(R.1) / 4-1003(R.1)
ConditionalLight automobile repair (other than admin special) Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-903(S) / 4-1003(S)
ConditionalMedical care facility Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-903(T) / 4-1003(T)
ConditionalMotor vehicle parking/storage, more than 20 vehicles Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-903(U) / 4-1003(U)
ConditionalNursing or convalescent home or hospice Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-1003(W)
ConditionalOutdoor dining (other than permitted or admin special) Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-903 / 4-1003(W.1)
ConditionalOutdoor market (other than admin special) Special Use Permit required; Sec. 4-903 / 4-1003(W.2)
"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.