Building Setbacks & Zoning in Alexandria, VA (2026)
3 verified building setbacks & zoning rules for Alexandria, Virginia, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Setback Rules
Alexandria sets yard setbacks zone by zone using ratios rather than flat numbers. In the R-20 single-family zone, Zoning Ordinance Section 3-106 requires two side yards on a 1:2 setback ratio with a 12-foot minimum, a rear yard on a 1:1 ratio with a 12-foot minimum, and a front yard matching the surrounding block face.
Alexandria Zoning Yard Setback Minimums
Some RestrictionsAlexandria Zoning Ordinance § 3-106(A) (R-20 zone)
(A)Yard requirements.(1)Front yard. For each residential use, the required front yard shall be between the range established by the front yards within the contextual block face. If the minimum front yard, including the front yard of the property in question, within this range exceeds 40 feet, a residential use shall provide a front yard of at least 40 feet.(2)Side yards. Each residential use sh...
Structure Height Limits
Like lot coverage, Alexandria's maximum building height is set zone by zone rather than citywide. In the R-20 single-unit residential zone, the city's lowest-density district, Section 3-106(C) caps structures at 30 feet, rising to 40 feet only for a place of worship or school use on the same lot.
Alexandria R-20 Zone 30-Foot Height Cap
Some RestrictionsZoning Ordinance § 3-106(C) (R-20 zone, Bulk and open space regulations)
3-106 - Bulk and open space regulations. ... (C)Height. The maximum permitted height of a structure is 30 feet except for a place of worship or school use in which case the maximum permitted height is 40 feet.
Lot Coverage Limits
Alexandria caps building footprint zone by zone rather than citywide. In the RT/Townhouse zone, the most common lot-coverage limit for rowhouse infill, Section 3-1306(B) allows "no more than 30 percent of any lot" to be covered by buildings or structures, on top of a 0.5 floor area ratio and 35-foot height cap.
Alexandria RT Zone Caps Lot Coverage at 30%
Some RestrictionsZoning Ordinance § 3-1306(B) (RT/Townhouse zone, Bulk and open space regulations)
3-1306 - Bulk and open space regulations. ... (B)Coverage. No more than 30 percent of any lot may be covered with buildings or structures.(C)FAR. The maximum permitted floor area ratio is .5.(D)Height. The maximum permitted height of a structure is 35 feet.