Alexandria, VA · Alexandria Zoning Ordinance
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.
| Front setback | Other principal uses: At least 25 ft | 3-506(A)(1) |
|---|---|---|
| Single-family detached and two-family and multifamily: Not computed here: the ordinance makes it depend on facts about the site | 3-506(A)(1) | |
| Side setback | Single-family detached and two-family and multifamily: At least the greater of 7 ft and the building height divided by 3 | 3-506(A)(2) |
| Other principal uses: At least the greater of 25 ft and the building height | 3-506(A)(2) | |
| Side setbacks combined | The ordinance sets no figure for this case | 3-500 |
| Rear setback | Single-family detached and two-family and multifamily: At least the greater of 7 ft and the building height minus half of the width of the alley the lot abuts (0 if none) | 3-506(A)(3) |
| Other principal uses: At least the greater of 25 ft and the building height minus half of the width of the alley the lot abuts (0 if none) | 3-506(A)(3) | |
| Maximum height | Single-family detached and two-family and multifamily: At most 30 ft | 3-506(C) |
| Other principal uses, place of worship or school: At most 40 ft | 3-506(C) | |
| Other principal uses, other than place of worship or school: At most 30 ft | 3-506(C) | |
| Maximum FAR | Single-family detached and two-family and multifamily and other principal uses: At most 0.45 | 3-506(B) |
| Max density | The ordinance sets no figure for this case | 3-500 |
| Minimum lot size | Single-family detached and two-family and multifamily and other principal uses, interior lot: At least 5,000 sq ft | 3-505(A)(1) |
| Single-family detached and two-family and multifamily and other principal uses, corner lot: At least 6,500 sq ft | 3-505(A)(1) | |
| Two-family, interior lot, semi-detached: At least 2,500 sq ft | 3-505(A)(2) | |
| Two-family, corner lot, semi-detached: At least 3,250 sq ft | 3-505(A)(2) | |
| Minimum lot width | Single-family detached and two-family and multifamily and other principal uses, interior lot: At least 50 ft | 3-505(B) |
| Single-family detached and two-family and multifamily and other principal uses, corner lot: At least 65 ft | 3-505(B) | |
| Two-family, semi-detached: At least 25 ft | 3-505(B) | |
| Maximum lot coverage | The ordinance sets no figure for this case | 3-500 |
| Minimum open space | The ordinance sets no figure for this case | 3-500 |
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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