The RT zone allows attached townhouse dwellings at urban-scale density while maintaining a low-rise character. It is the defining zone for Old Town Alexandria's historic rowhouse blocks and Potomac Yard townhouse development. Side yard requirements are often waived at party walls. Dimensional limits, including the building coverage cap in Sec. 3-1306(B), are in the development-standards table below.
Development standards in RT
Maximum FAR
0.5
Maximum height
35 ft
Maximum lot coverage
30%
Minimum lot width
22 ft
Max density
9.5 units/acre
Rear setback
12 ft
Sec. 3-1306(C): the maximum permitted floor area ratio is .5.
Sec. 3-1306(D): the maximum permitted height of a structure is 35 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 RT
AllowedTownhouse dwelling Sec. 3-1302(A)
AllowedAccessory uses, as permitted by section 7-100 Sec. 3-1302(B)
AllowedChild or elder care home, as permitted by section 7-500 Sec. 3-1302(C)
AllowedChurch Sec. 3-1302(C.1)
AllowedHome occupation, as permitted by section 7-300 Sec. 3-1302(D)
AllowedPublic park Sec. 3-1302(E)
AllowedUtilities, as permitted by section 7-1200 Sec. 3-1302(F)
ConditionalChild or elder care home, other than pursuant to section 3-1302 Admin approval required (Sec. 11-513); Sec. 3-1302.1(A)
ConditionalCemetery Special Use Permit required; Sec. 3-1303(A)
ConditionalCo-living dwelling, not to exceed two units Special Use Permit required; Sec. 3-1303(A.1)
ConditionalNursing or convalescent home or hospice Special Use Permit required; Sec. 3-1303(B)
ConditionalSeminary, convent and monastery Special Use Permit required; Sec. 3-1303(D)
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. 3-1303(E)
ConditionalADU / Accessory Dwelling Sec. 7-700 standards apply
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.