Alexandria, VA · Alexandria Zoning Ordinance
The R-5 zone has a 5,000 square foot minimum lot size and covers compact single-family neighborhoods across the city. Many Old Town and near-town neighborhoods fall in R-5. Lots are often at or below minimum size, making subdivision essentially impossible. The zone allows ADUs, and under the 2023 Zoning for Housing reforms permits two-unit dwellings and multi-unit dwellings up to four units by right (Sec. 3-402).
| Front setback | Other principal uses: At least 25 ft | 3-406(A)(1) |
|---|---|---|
| Single-family detached and two-family and multifamily: Not computed here: the ordinance makes it depend on facts about the site | 3-406(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 | 3-406(A)(2) |
| Other principal uses: At least the greater of 25 ft and the building height | 3-406(A)(2) | |
| Side setbacks combined | The ordinance sets no figure for this case | 3-400 |
| 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) | 3-406(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) | 3-406(A)(3) | |
| Maximum height | Single-family detached and two-family and multifamily: At most 30 ft | 3-406(C) |
| Other principal uses, place of worship or school: At most 40 ft | 3-406(C) | |
| Other principal uses, other than place of worship or school: At most 30 ft | 3-406(C) | |
| Maximum FAR | Single-family detached and two-family and multifamily and other principal uses: At most 0.45 | 3-406(B) |
| Max density | The ordinance sets no figure for this case | 3-400 |
| Minimum lot size | Single-family detached and two-family and multifamily and other principal uses, interior lot: At least 5,000 sq ft | 3-405(A) |
| Single-family detached and two-family and multifamily and other principal uses, corner lot: At least 6,500 sq ft | 3-405(A) | |
| Minimum lot width | Single-family detached and two-family and multifamily and other principal uses, interior lot: At least 50 ft | 3-405(B) |
| Single-family detached and two-family and multifamily and other principal uses, corner lot: At least 65 ft | 3-405(B) | |
| Maximum lot coverage | The ordinance sets no figure for this case | 3-400 |
| Minimum open space | The ordinance sets no figure for this case | 3-400 |
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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