The RD zone is Alexandria's highest-density residential classification, applied in the downtown core for high-rise residential towers. FAR reaches 4.0 and heights can exceed 100 feet. DUA limits removed 2023. RD properties carry the highest residential development potential in the city and are concentrated in areas planned for major urban infill.
Development standards in RD
Maximum height
150 ft
Minimum lot size
43560 sq ft
Minimum lot width
100 ft
Max density
100 units/acre
Sec. 3-1005(C) states that no maximum floor area ratio applies. That is an affirmative absence of a cap set by the ordinance, not missing data.
Sec. 3-1005(D): no building or structure shall exceed 150 feet in height.
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 RD
AllowedMulti-unit dwelling Sec. 3-1001(A)
AllowedAccessory uses, as permitted by section 7-100 Sec. 3-1001(B)
AllowedChurch Sec. 3-1001(B.1)
AllowedBarbershop or beauty shop The following uses within a multi-unit building provided they occupy no more than an aggregate measure of ten percent of the gross floor area of said building. Sec. 3-1001(C)(1)
AllowedBusiness office The following uses within a multi-unit building provided they occupy no more than an aggregate measure of ten percent of the gross floor area of said building. Sec. 3-1001(C)(2)
AllowedCleaning, laundry or pressing agency with no actual operations on premises The following uses within a multi-unit building provided they occupy no more than an aggregate measure of ten percent of the gross floor area of said building. Sec. 3-1001(C)(3)
AllowedFlorist shop The following uses within a multi-unit building provided they occupy no more than an aggregate measure of ten percent of the gross floor area of said building. Sec. 3-1001(C)(4)
AllowedPhotographic studio The following uses within a multi-unit building provided they occupy no more than an aggregate measure of ten percent of the gross floor area of said building. Sec. 3-1001(C)(5)
AllowedStationery store The following uses within a multi-unit building provided they occupy no more than an aggregate measure of ten percent of the gross floor area of said building. Sec. 3-1001(C)(6)
AllowedUtilities, as permitted by section 7-1200 Sec. 3-1001(D)
ConditionalCo-living dwelling, not to exceed two units Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 3-1001.1(A)
ConditionalApartment hotel Special Use Permit required; Sec. 3-1002(A)
ConditionalCemetery Special Use Permit required; Sec. 3-1002(A.1)
ConditionalCo-living dwelling, other than pursuant to section 3-1001.1 Special Use Permit required; Sec. 3-1002(B)
ConditionalMedical care facility Special Use Permit required; Sec. 3-1002(B.1)
ConditionalNursing or convalescent home or hospice Special Use Permit required; Sec. 3-1002(C)
ConditionalOutdoor market Special Use Permit required; Sec. 3-1002(C.1)
ConditionalOutdoor dining on private property Special Use Permit required; Sec. 3-1002(C.2)
ConditionalSeminary, convent and monastery Special Use Permit required; Sec. 3-1002(E)
ConditionalPrivate or fraternal club The following uses in a multi-unit building or apartment hotel provided they occupy no more than an aggregate measure of five percent of the gross floor area of the building. Special Use Permit required; Sec. 3-1002(F)(1)
ConditionalRestaurant The following uses in a multi-unit building or apartment hotel provided they occupy no more than an aggregate measure of five percent of the gross floor area of the building. Special Use Permit required; Sec. 3-1002(F)(2)
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. 3-1002(G)
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.