The RB zone permits mid-rise apartment buildings up to 45 feet with a base 0.75 FAR. Like RA, DUA limits were removed by the 2023 Zoning for Housing ordinance, allowing more but smaller units within the same envelope. Typically located near commercial corridors and Metro station areas as a step up from RA in density.
Development standards in RB
Maximum FAR
0.75
Maximum height
45 ft
Minimum lot width
50 ft
Max density
22 units/acre
Rear setback
8 ft
Sec. 3-706(C): the maximum permitted floor area ratio is 0.75, except 1.50 for single-unit, two-unit and townhouse dwellings within the Old and Historic Alexandria and Parker-Gray Districts.
Sec. 3-706(D): outside the historic districts, 30 ft for single- and two-unit dwellings and 45 ft for all other structures; within the Old and Historic Alexandria and Parker-Gray Districts, 45 ft for any structure. Sec. 3-700 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 RB
AllowedSingle-unit dwelling Sec. 3-702(A)
AllowedTwo-unit dwelling Sec. 3-702(B)
AllowedTownhouse dwelling Sec. 3-702(C)
AllowedAccessory uses, as permitted by section 7-100 Sec. 3-702(D)
AllowedChild or elder care home as permitted by section 7-500 Sec. 3-702(E)
AllowedChurch Sec. 3-702(F)
AllowedHome occupation, as permitted by section 7-300 Sec. 3-702(G)
AllowedPublic park Sec. 3-702(H)
AllowedPublic school Sec. 3-702(I)
AllowedUtilities, as permitted by section 7-1200 Sec. 3-702(J)
ConditionalDay care center within a church or school building Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 3-702.1(A)
ConditionalChild or elder care home, other than pursuant to section 3-702 Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 3-702.1(B)
ConditionalCemetery Special Use Permit required; Sec. 3-703(A)
ConditionalCo-living dwelling, not to exceed two units Special Use Permit required; Sec. 3-703(A.1)
ConditionalContinuum of care facility Special Use Permit required; Sec. 3-703(B)
ConditionalDay care center Special Use Permit required; Sec. 3-703(C)
ConditionalNursing or convalescent home or hospice Special Use Permit required; Sec. 3-703(E)
ConditionalPrivate school Special Use Permit required; Sec. 3-703(F)
ConditionalSeminary, convent and monastery Special Use Permit required; Sec. 3-703(H)
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. 3-703(I)
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?
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.