Alexandria, VA · Alexandria Zoning Ordinance
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.
| Front setback | Other principal uses: At least 20 ft | 3-706(A)(1) |
|---|---|---|
| Single-family and two-family dwellings: Not computed here: the ordinance makes it depend on facts about the site | 3-706(A)(1) | |
| Not computed here: the ordinance makes it depend on facts about the site | 3-706(A)(2) | |
| Side setback | Single-family detached and two-family: At least 0 ft if the lot width is less than 25 ft; otherwise the greater of 8 ft and the building height divided by 3 | 3-706(A)(3)(e) |
| Single-family attached, end lot: At least 0 ft if the lot width is less than 25 ft; otherwise the greater of 8 ft and the building height divided by 3 | 3-706(A)(3)(e) | |
| Other principal uses: At least 0 ft if the lot width is less than 25 ft; otherwise the greater of 25 ft and the building height | 3-706(A)(3)(e) | |
| Single-family and two-family dwellings: At least 0 ft if the lot width is less than 25 ft; otherwise 5 ft if the lot width is at least 35 ft | 3-706(A)(4)(c) | |
| Other principal uses: At least 5 ft | 3-706(A)(4)(d) | |
| Multifamily: Not computed here: the ordinance makes it depend on facts about the site | 3-706(A)(3)(c) | |
| Side setbacks combined | Single-family and two-family dwellings: At least 0 ft if the lot width is less than 25 ft; otherwise 5 ft if the lot width is at least 25 ft and the lot width is less than 35 ft; otherwise 10 ft (2 times 5) if the lot width is at least 35 ft | 3-706(A)(4)(c) |
| Other principal uses: At least 10 ft (2 times 5) | 3-706(A)(4)(d) | |
| Rear setback | Single-family and two-family dwellings: At least the greater of 8 ft and the building height minus half of the width of the alley the lot abuts (0 if none) | 3-706(A)(5) |
| 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) | 3-706(A)(5) | |
| Maximum height | Single-family detached and two-family: At most 30 ft | 3-706(D)(1)(a) |
| Single-family attached and other principal uses: At most 45 ft | 3-706(D)(1)(b) | |
| Single-family detached and two-family and single-family attached and other principal uses: At most 45 ft | 3-706(D)(2) | |
| Maximum FAR | Single-family detached and two-family and single-family attached and other principal uses: At most 0.75 | 3-706(C) |
| Single-family and two-family dwellings: At most 1.5 | 3-706(C) | |
| Other principal uses: At most 0.75 | 3-706(C) | |
| Max density | Single-family and two-family dwellings: At most 22 dwellings per acre | 3-705(A) |
| Single-family and two-family dwellings: At most 30 dwellings per acre | 3-705(A) | |
| Minimum lot size | Single-family and two-family dwellings: At least 1,980 sq ft “(C) Any land zoned to RB after February 27, 1973 but prior to June 24, 1992 and part of an urban renewal project may be developed at a density of 1,600 square feet per dwelling unit.” | 3-705(B)(1) |
| Other principal uses: No requirement | 3-705(B)(2) | |
| Minimum lot width | Single-family detached and two-family and other principal uses: At least 50 ft | 3-705(C)(1) |
| Single-family attached, interior lot: At least 18 ft | 3-705(C)(2) | |
| Single-family attached, end lot: At least 26 ft | 3-705(C)(2) | |
| Single-family attached, corner lot: At least 38 ft | 3-705(C)(2) | |
| Single-family attached: Not computed here: the ordinance makes it depend on facts about the site | 3-705(C)(2) | |
| Maximum lot coverage | The ordinance sets no figure for this case | 3-700 |
| Minimum open space | Single-family and two-family dwellings: At least 35% | 3-706(B) |
| Continuum of care facility, continuum of care facility: Not computed here: the ordinance makes it depend on facts about the site | 3-708(B) |
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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