What Alexandria Regulates: A Complete Ordinance Overview

Alexandria is a mid-sized city in Alexandria City, Virginia, with about 159000 residents. Like most cities its size, it has a set of local rules that may differ significantly from neighboring municipalities. Here is an overview of 114 ordinances across 27 categories that affect daily life in Alexandria.

Parking Rules

Driveway Rules: Alexandria requires driveways meet local code standards. Vehicles may not block sidewalks or rights-of-way under Virginia law..

Also covered: Street Parking Limits (moderate), Overnight Parking (moderate), Commercial Vehicle Restrictions (moderate). See the full parking rules guide for Alexandria for details.

Fire Regulations

Fireworks: Alexandria bans the storage, sale, possession, or discharge of any fireworks within the city limits — including sparklers. Violations are Class 1 misdemeanors punishable by up to a $2,500 fine and/or 12 months in jail..

Also covered: Fire Pit Rules (moderate), Brush Clearance (moderate), Wildfire Zones (moderate). See the full fire regulations guide for Alexandria for details.

Landscaping Rules

Tree Trimming: Alexandria may have a tree protection ordinance. Fairfax County and other NOVA localities have significant tree canopy protections..

Also covered: Weed Ordinances (moderate), Rainwater Harvesting (permissive), Artificial Turf (permissive). See the full landscaping rules guide for Alexandria for details.

Fence Regulations

Pool Barriers: Alexandria requires pool barriers meeting safety codes to prevent drowning. Fences must be at least 4 to 5 feet tall with self-closing, self-latching gates..

Also covered: Material Restrictions (moderate), Neighbor Fence Rules (moderate), Permit Requirements (moderate). See the full fence regulations guide for Alexandria for details.

Animal Ordinances

Chickens & Livestock: Alexandria Sec. 5-7-2 prohibits keeping any fowl within 200 feet of any residence or dwelling not occupied by the keeper.

Also covered: Wildlife Feeding (moderate), Beekeeping (permissive), Exotic Pets (strict). See the full animal ordinances guide for Alexandria for details.

Home Business

Signage Rules: Alexandria generally prohibits exterior signage for home-based businesses. Zoning ordinance governs sign regulations..

Also covered: Zoning Restrictions (moderate), Cottage Food Operations (permissive), Home Daycare (moderate). See the full home business guide for Alexandria for details.

Swimming Pools & Spas

Pool Permits: Alexandria requires building permits for all swimming pool construction. Virginia USBC governs pool standards..

Also covered: Safety Rules (strict), Hot Tub Rules (moderate), Above-Ground Pools (moderate). See the full swimming pools & spas guide for Alexandria for details.

Trash & Recycling

Bin Placement Rules: Alexandria curbside collection runs Mon-Thu (one day per address). Containers may be set out no earlier than 5 PM the day before pickup and must be out no later than 6 AM on collection day.

Also covered: Bulk Item Disposal (moderate), Pickup Rules & Schedules (moderate), Recycling Requirements (moderate). See the full trash & recycling guide for Alexandria for details.

Accessory Structures

ADU Permits: Alexandria adopted the landmark Zoning for Housing/Housing for All package in November 2023, eliminating single-family-only zoning citywide and allowing Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) by right in most residential districts. ADUs route through the Department of Planning and Zoning and the Department of Code Administration.

Also covered: Shed Rules (moderate), Garage Conversions (moderate), Carport Rules (moderate). See the full accessory structures guide for Alexandria for details.

Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors

Food Truck Permits: Alexandria food trucks need a Mobile Food Truck Permit (Title 9 Chapter 15). Operations limited to designated locations (e.g., 1700 block of King St adjacent to King Street Gardens, capacity 3 trucks), 7 AM-midnight, max 6 continuous hours per location..

Also covered: Vending Zones (moderate). See the full food trucks & mobile vendors guide for Alexandria for details.

Building Setbacks & Zoning

Setback Rules: Alexandria zoning code requires minimum setback distances from property lines for all structures. Setbacks vary by zoning district and structure type..

Also covered: Structure Height Limits (moderate), Lot Coverage Limits (moderate). See the full building setbacks & zoning guide for Alexandria for details.

Curfew Laws

Juvenile Curfew: Alexandria enforces a juvenile curfew for minors under 17. Nighttime curfew hours typically run 11 PM to 6 AM on school nights with later weekend hours..

Also covered: Park Curfew (moderate). See the full curfew laws guide for Alexandria for details.

Soliciting & Door-to-Door

Solicitor Permits: Alexandria requires door-to-door solicitors and peddlers to obtain a permit. Background checks and identification badges are commonly required..

Also covered: No-Knock Registry (moderate). See the full soliciting & door-to-door guide for Alexandria for details.

Environmental Rules

Coastal Development: Alexandria regulates development in coastal zones through setback requirements, habitat protections, and public access mandates. State coastal commission approval may be required for projects near the shoreline..

Also covered: Stormwater Management (moderate), Flood Zones (strict), Grading & Drainage (moderate). See the full environmental rules guide for Alexandria for details.

Property Maintenance

Snow & Sidewalk Clearing: Alexandria City Code Sec. 5-2-21 requires property owners to clear adjacent sidewalks within 24 hours (Level 1 storm), 48 hours (Level 2), or 72 hours (Level 3).

Also covered: Garage Sale Rules (permissive), Trash Bin Storage (moderate), Vacant Lot Maintenance (moderate). See the full property maintenance guide for Alexandria for details.

Sign Regulations

Garage Sale Signs: Alexandria allows temporary garage sale signs with restrictions on size, placement, and duration. Signs in public rights-of-way may be prohibited.

Also covered: Holiday Displays (permissive), Political Signs (permissive). See the full sign regulations guide for Alexandria for details.

Solar Energy

Panel Permits: Alexandria solar installations need standard electrical/building permits via APEX. In the Old & Historic Alexandria District, Parker-Gray District, or on a designated 100-Year-Old Building, panels visible from a public right-of-way require a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Board of Architectural Review (BAR)..

Also covered: HOA Restrictions (permissive). See the full solar energy guide for Alexandria for details.

Rental Property Rules

Rental Registration: Alexandria's rental inspection program (City Code Article G-1, Sec. 8-1-118) requires a $75 inspection per dwelling unit, sampling 10% of units in buildings over 10 dwellings.

Also covered: Rent Control (permissive), Just Cause Eviction (moderate). See the full rental property rules guide for Alexandria for details.

Short-Term Rentals

Registration Rules: Alexandria Ordinance No. 5575 (effective Sept 1, 2025) requires a Short-Term Residential Rental Permit for any property used as an STR more than 10 days per calendar year.

Also covered: Parking Rules (moderate), Taxes & Fees (moderate), Insurance Requirements (moderate). See the full short-term rentals guide for Alexandria for details.

Tree Protection

Heritage & Protected Trees: Alexandria designates heritage or landmark trees based on size, age, or species. Removal or damage to heritage trees carries significant penalties..

Also covered: Tree Removal Permits (moderate), Tree Replacement Requirements (moderate). See the full tree protection guide for Alexandria for details.

Noise Ordinances

Construction Hours: Alexandria allows construction Mon-Fri 7 AM-6 PM, Sat 9 AM-6 PM; prohibited Sundays and holidays. Pile drivers more restrictive: M-F 9 AM-6 PM, Sat 10 AM-4 PM.

Also covered: Barking Dogs (moderate), Amplified Music & Events (moderate), Leaf Blower Rules (moderate). See the full noise ordinances guide for Alexandria for details.

Drone Rules

Recreational Drones: Alexandria sits inside the FAA's Washington DC Special Flight Rules Area (SFRA) and Flight Restricted Zone (FRZ) around Reagan National (DCA). Recreational drone flights are prohibited under any circumstances; all UAS operations require federal authorization..

Also covered: Commercial Drones (strict). See the full drone rules guide for Alexandria for details.

Garage & Yard Sales

Garage Sale Permits: Alexandria may require a free or low-cost permit for garage and yard sales. Permit ensures compliance with time, signage, and frequency limits..

Also covered: Time Restrictions (permissive), Frequency Limits (permissive). See the full garage & yard sales guide for Alexandria for details.

Cannabis Regulations

Dispensary Zoning: Alexandria zones cannabis dispensaries in commercial and industrial areas with buffer distances from schools, parks, and residential zones. Conditional use permits typically required.

Also covered: Home Cultivation (moderate). See the full cannabis regulations guide for Alexandria for details.

Outdoor Lighting

Dark Sky Rules: Alexandria regulates outdoor lighting to reduce light pollution and glare. Fully shielded fixtures required for new installations.

Also covered: Light Trespass (moderate). See the full outdoor lighting guide for Alexandria for details.

Outdoor Cooking

Outdoor Kitchen Permits: Outdoor kitchens in Alexandria require separate trade permits from the Department of Code Administration: building permit for structural elements, mechanical permit for gas lines, plumbing permit for water and sinks, and electrical permit for outdoor outlets. The 2021 Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code applies, with FEMA flood requirements in Potomac and tributary floodplains.

Also covered: BBQ & Propane Rules (moderate), Smoker Rules (permissive). See the full outdoor cooking guide for Alexandria for details.

Holiday Decorations

Holiday Light Rules: Alexandria has no citywide ordinance restricting residential holiday lights at single-family homes. Real restrictions arise from HOA and condo covenants under Virginia's Property Owners' Association Act (Va.

Also covered: Lawn Ornament Rules (permissive), Inflatable Display Rules (permissive). See the full holiday decorations guide for Alexandria for details.

What to Do With This Information

Whether you are renting, buying, or renovating in Alexandria, knowing the local rules upfront saves headaches later. Dig into the individual ordinance pages linked above for the complete picture, including fines and exemptions.