The RC zone is a high-density residential district allowing apartment buildings up to up to 150 feet with a 1.25 FAR. DUA limits removed Nov 2023. Concentrated near the Eisenhower Avenue, King Street, and Braddock Road Metro station areas. RC properties represent significant redevelopment value in a transit-accessible location.
Development standards in RC
Maximum FAR
1.25
Maximum height
150 ft
Minimum lot width
50 ft
Max density
54.45 units/acre
Sec. 3-906(C): the permitted maximum floor area ratio is 1.25.
Sec. 3-906(D): the maximum permitted height of a structure is 150 feet.
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 RC
AllowedTownhouse dwelling Sec. 3-902(A)
AllowedMulti-unit dwelling Sec. 3-902(B)
AllowedAccessory uses, as permitted by section 7-100 Sec. 3-902(C)
AllowedChild or elder care home, as permitted by section 7-500 Sec. 3-902(D)
AllowedChurch Sec. 3-902(E)
AllowedHome occupation, as permitted by section 7-300 Sec. 3-902(F)
AllowedPublic park Sec. 3-902(G)
AllowedPublic school Sec. 3-902(H)
AllowedBank, saving and loan bank or association, and similar financial institution The following commercial uses in a residential development of at least 2,000 dwelling units if limited to an area the size of the first floor or any floor below it, whichever is less, and located on the first floor or any floor below the first floor of the building. Sec. 3-902(I)(1)
AllowedBarbershop or beauty parlor The following commercial uses in a residential development of at least 2,000 dwelling units if limited to an area the size of the first floor or any floor below it, whichever is less, and located on the first floor or any floor below the first floor of the building. Sec. 3-902(I)(2)
AllowedCleaning, laundry or pressing agency with no actual operations on premises The following commercial uses in a residential development of at least 2,000 dwelling units if limited to an area the size of the first floor or any floor below it, whichever is less, and located on the first floor or any floor below the first floor of the building. Sec. 3-902(I)(3)
AllowedDrugstore The following commercial uses in a residential development of at least 2,000 dwelling units if limited to an area the size of the first floor or any floor below it, whichever is less, and located on the first floor or any floor below the first floor of the building. Sec. 3-902(I)(4)
AllowedGrocery or convenience store, where products are not prepared or consumed on the premises The following commercial uses in a residential development of at least 2,000 dwelling units if limited to an area the size of the first floor or any floor below it, whichever is less, and located on the first floor or any floor below the first floor of the building. Sec. 3-902(I)(5)
AllowedGift or florist shop; (6.1) Health and athletic club or fitness studio The following commercial uses in a residential development of at least 2,000 dwelling units if limited to an area the size of the first floor or any floor below it, whichever is less, and located on the first floor or any floor below the first floor of the building. Sec. 3-902(I)(6)
AllowedProfessional, business and health profession office provided that no inventory, stock-in-trade, materials or supplies other than general office supplies are stored on site and that no trucks, vans or similar vehicles are parked on site outside of business hours; and The following commercial uses in a residential development of at least 2,000 dwelling units if limited to an area the size of the first floor or any floor below it, whichever is less, and located on the first floor or any floor below the first floor of the building. Sec. 3-902(I)(7)
AllowedUtilities, as permitted by section 7-1200 Sec. 3-902(J)
ConditionalChild or elder care home, other than pursuant to section 3-902 Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 3-902.1(A)
ConditionalCo-living dwelling, not to exceed two units Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 3-902.1(B)
ConditionalDay care center within a church or school building Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 3-902.1(C)
ConditionalCemetery Special Use Permit required; Sec. 3-903(B)
ConditionalCo-living dwelling, other than pursuant to section 3-902.1 Special Use Permit required; Sec. 3-903(C)
ConditionalContinuum of care facilities Special Use Permit required; Sec. 3-903(D)
ConditionalDay care center Special Use Permit required; Sec. 3-903(E)
ConditionalFreestanding commercial buildings for office or retail use where clearly designed as part of and to serve a residential development of at least 2,000 dwelling units and where no such building exceeds 10,000 square feet Special Use Permit required; Sec. 3-903(F)
ConditionalNursing or convalescent home or hospice Special Use Permit required; Sec. 3-903(G)
ConditionalOutdoor market Special Use Permit required; Sec. 3-903(G.1)
ConditionalPrivate school Special Use Permit required; Sec. 3-903(H)
ConditionalSeminary, convent and monastery Special Use Permit required; Sec. 3-903(J)
ConditionalBank, saving and loan bank or association, and similar financial institution The following commercial uses in a multi-unit building of four or more stories in height if limited to an area the size of the first floor or a floor below it, whichever is less, and located on the first floor or any floor below the first floor of the building. Special Use Permit required; Sec. 3-903(K)(1)
ConditionalBarber shop or beauty shop The following commercial uses in a multi-unit building of four or more stories in height if limited to an area the size of the first floor or a floor below it, whichever is less, and located on the first floor or any floor below the first floor of the building. Special Use Permit required; Sec. 3-903(K)(2)
ConditionalCleaning, laundry or pressing agency with no actual operations on premises The following commercial uses in a multi-unit building of four or more stories in height if limited to an area the size of the first floor or a floor below it, whichever is less, and located on the first floor or any floor below the first floor of the building. Special Use Permit required; Sec. 3-903(K)(3)
ConditionalDay care center The following commercial uses in a multi-unit building of four or more stories in height if limited to an area the size of the first floor or a floor below it, whichever is less, and located on the first floor or any floor below the first floor of the building. Special Use Permit required; Sec. 3-903(K)(4)
ConditionalDrugstore The following commercial uses in a multi-unit building of four or more stories in height if limited to an area the size of the first floor or a floor below it, whichever is less, and located on the first floor or any floor below the first floor of the building. Special Use Permit required; Sec. 3-903(K)(5)
ConditionalGift shop The following commercial uses in a multi-unit building of four or more stories in height if limited to an area the size of the first floor or a floor below it, whichever is less, and located on the first floor or any floor below the first floor of the building. Special Use Permit required; Sec. 3-903(K)(6)
ConditionalGrocery store or convenience store, where products are not prepared or consumed on premises The following commercial uses in a multi-unit building of four or more stories in height if limited to an area the size of the first floor or a floor below it, whichever is less, and located on the first floor or any floor below the first floor of the building. Special Use Permit required; Sec. 3-903(K)(7)
ConditionalHealth and athletic club or fitness studio; (8.1) Medical care facility; (8.2) Outdoor dining on private property The following commercial uses in a multi-unit building of four or more stories in height if limited to an area the size of the first floor or a floor below it, whichever is less, and located on the first floor or any floor below the first floor of the building. Special Use Permit required; Sec. 3-903(K)(8)
ConditionalProfessional and business office, provided that no inventory, stock-in-trade, materials or supplies other than general office supplies are stored on site and that no trucks, vans or similar vehicles are parked on site outside of business hours; and The following commercial uses in a multi-unit building of four or more stories in height if limited to an area the size of the first floor or a floor below it, whichever is less, and located on the first floor or any floor below the first floor of the building. Special Use Permit required; Sec. 3-903(K)(9)
ConditionalRestaurants and, in the case of a building which is seven or more stories, the restaurant may be located on the top floor or the roof of the building The following commercial uses in a multi-unit building of four or more stories in height if limited to an area the size of the first floor or a floor below it, whichever is less, and located on the first floor or any floor below the first floor of the building. Special Use Permit required; Sec. 3-903(K)(10)
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. 3-903(L)
AllowedADU / Accessory Dwelling By-right accessory use; Sec. 7-100(N)/7-203 (accessory to a townhouse dwelling)
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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