The R-2-5 zone is Alexandria's two-family residential district, allowing both single-family and two-family (duplex) dwellings by right. Minimum lot size is 5,000 square feet, or 6,500 for corner lots; minimum 2,500 square feet per dwelling unit. Found primarily along the Route 1 corridor. FAR is 0.45, the highest of the single-family zones. Maximum height is 30 feet -- lower than other residential zones due to the urban, two-family context.
Development standards in R-2-5
Maximum FAR
0.45
Maximum height
30 ft
Minimum lot size
5000 sq ft
Minimum lot width
50 ft
Side setback
7 ft
Rear setback
7 ft
Sec. 3-506(B): the maximum permitted floor area ratio is 0.45.
Sec. 3-506(C): 30 feet, rising to 40 feet for a church or school use. Sec. 3-500 sets no limit in storeys.
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 R-2-5
AllowedSingle-unit dwelling Sec. 3-502(A)
AllowedTwo-unit dwelling Sec. 3-502(B)
AllowedMulti-unit dwelling up to four units Sec. 3-502(B.1)
AllowedAccessory uses, as permitted by section 7-100 Sec. 3-502(C)
AllowedChild or elder care home, as permitted by section 7-500 Sec. 3-502(D)
AllowedChurch Sec. 3-502(E)
AllowedHome occupation, as permitted by section 7-300 Sec. 3-502(F)
AllowedPublic park Sec. 3-502(G)
AllowedPublic school Sec. 3-502(H)
AllowedUtilities, as permitted by section 7-1200 Sec. 3-502(I)
ConditionalDay care center within a church or school building Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 3-502.1(A)
ConditionalChild or elder care home, other than pursuant to section 3-502 Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 3-502.1(B)
ConditionalCemetery Special Use Permit required; Sec. 3-503(A)
ConditionalNoncommercial, not-for-profit facilities, including indoor and outdoor recreational facilities and community centers, designed to serve the neighborhood Special Use Permit required; Sec. 3-503(C)
ConditionalPrivate school Special Use Permit required; Sec. 3-503(D)
ConditionalAny church or school parking added after October 1, 1996 which exceeds the number of spaces required by this ordinance; provided, however, that no special use permit for such excess parking shall regulate or substantially burden any religious practice or belief Special Use Permit required; Sec. 3-503(E)
AllowedADU / Accessory Dwelling By-right accessory use; Sec. 7-100(N)/7-203 standards (accessory to single/two/townhouse dwellings)
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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Standards as recorded by ZoneScore: Alexandria Zoning Ordinance Sec. 3-500; W-ZHA Feasibility Analysis (Oct 2023) -- confirmed from official zoning table
Values are read from the City of Alexandria Zoning Ordinance.