The RCX zone is Alexandria's medium-density apartment district, allowing apartment buildings and townhouse clusters up to 50 feet in height with a FAR of 1.25. Gross density for townhouses is capped at 35 du/acre (up to 54.45 du/acre with a Special Use Permit). DUA limits for apartment uses were removed by the 2023 Zoning for Housing ordinance; density is now governed by FAR and setbacks. The zone serves as a medium-intensity residential buffer and is suitable for mid-rise apartment infill and mixed-residential development.
Development standards in RCX
Maximum FAR
1.25
Maximum height
50 ft
Minimum lot width
50 ft
Max density
35 units/acre
Side setback
16 ft
Rear setback
8 ft
Sec. 3-806(C): the maximum permitted floor area ratio is 1.25.
Sec. 3-806(D): the maximum permitted height of a structure is 50 feet. Sec. 3-800 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 RCX
AllowedTownhouse dwelling Sec. 3-802(A)
AllowedMulti-unit dwelling Sec. 3-802(B)
AllowedAccessory uses, as permitted by section 7-100 Sec. 3-802(C)
AllowedChild or elder care home, as permitted by section 7-500 Sec. 3-802(D)
AllowedChurch Sec. 3-802(E)
AllowedHome occupation, as permitted by section 7-300 Sec. 3-802(F)
AllowedPublic park Sec. 3-802(G)
AllowedPublic school Sec. 3-802(H)
AllowedUtilities, as permitted by section 7-1200 Sec. 3-802(I)
ConditionalChild or elder care home, other than pursuant to section 3-802 Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 3-802.1(A)
ConditionalCo-living dwelling, not to exceed two units Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 3-802.1(B)
ConditionalDay care center within a church or school building Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 3-802.1(C)
ConditionalCemetery Special Use Permit required; Sec. 3-803(B)
ConditionalCo-living dwelling, other than pursuant to section 3-802.1 Special Use Permit required; Sec. 3-803(C)
ConditionalContinuum of care facility Special Use Permit required; Sec. 3-803(C.1)
ConditionalDay care center Special Use Permit required; Sec. 3-803(D)
ConditionalNursing or convalescent home or hospice Special Use Permit required; Sec. 3-803(E)
ConditionalOutdoor dining on private property Special Use Permit required; Sec. 3-803(F)
ConditionalOutdoor market Special Use Permit required; Sec. 3-803(F.1)
ConditionalPrivate school Special Use Permit required; Sec. 3-803(G)
ConditionalSeminary, convent and monastery Special Use Permit required; Sec. 3-803(I)
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. 3-803(J)(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. 3-803(J)(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. 3-803(J)(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. 3-803(J)(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. 3-803(J)(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. 3-803(J)(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. 3-803(J)(7)
ConditionalHealth and athletic club or fitness studio; (8.1) Medical care facility 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. 3-803(J)(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 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. 3-803(J)(9)
ConditionalRestaurant 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. 3-803(J)(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. 3-803(K)
AllowedADU / Accessory Dwelling By-right accessory use; Sec. 7-100(N)/7-203 standards (accessory to single/two/townhouse dwellings)
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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