Alexandria Department of Planning and Zoning

Rule Changes

Provides staff support to the BZA

Ronnie Vassalo Jr. and Mary Savino want to build a deck on their townhouse at 9 Potomac Court in Alexandria, Virginia. The zoning code's rear-yard and open-space rules don't allow it, so they've asked the Board of Zoning Appeals for variances.

Updated 6 days ago

Rule Changes

Staffs the BZA and processes variance applications

The Board of Zoning Appeals was scheduled to hear Scott Fleming's request for a rear-yard variance at 3333 Helen Street on September 14, 2026. The two-story addition would push into the setback the RB (Residential Townhouse) district requires.

Updated 7 days ago

Rule Changes

Staff support; accepts public comments before the hearing

A homeowner on East Mount Ida Avenue wants to add a second story to his house, and the addition would sit inside the required side yard. Alexandria's R-2-5 zoning normally bars that. The city's Board of Zoning Appeals decides October 19 whether to allow it.

Updated Sep 29

Rule Changes

Reviews applications and advises the commission

A trustee who controls a North Quaker Lane property is asking Alexandria to let her build on a lot that touches no public street. City zoning normally forbids that; a special use permit can waive it. The Planning Commission hears the request October 6.

Updated Sep 24

Rule Changes

Proposing ZTA #2026-00003

For 50 years, anyone in Alexandria wanting to build on an undersized lot had to get City Council approval first. The Planning Commission hears a proposal Oct. 6 that would end that requirement for most lots, letting owners build by right under the zoning code.

Updated Sep 22

Rule Changes

Staff reviewing the application and drafting substandard-lot rules

A developer wants to put two dwelling units on a lot zoned for one house at 501 East Howell Avenue in Alexandria, Virginia. The Planning Commission will hear the special use permit request Oct 6, and its vote will decide whether the project moves forward.

Updated Sep 22

Rule Changes

Recommended council affirm the renumbering

A nine-year stream of misdelivered mail at 3600½ Russell Road has produced Alexandria's first appeal under a new address-renumbering ordinance. City Council decides Saturday whether to change 3600½ to 3578 and the neighboring 3600 to 3550.

Updated Sep 16

Rule Changes

Staff recommended approval of the vacation

A strip of unbuilt street at the southern end of Kent Place in Alexandria is about to leave public hands. City Council takes final passage Sept. 19 on an ordinance vacating the right-of-way next to 2702 Russell Road — the last step for a vacation approved 4-2 in April.

Updated Sep 15

Rule Changes

Administers zoning applications and advises BZA

Timothy Fetsch and Louise Muth want to add onto their house at 908 Beverley Drive in Alexandria. Their planned addition would reach into the side yard, where the city's R-8 residential zoning rules require an open setback. On Monday, September 14, the city's Board of Zoning Appeals will hear their request for a special exception to build it.

Updated Sep 10

Rule Changes

Reviews special use permit applications and prepares staff reports

An Alexandria property owner wants to turn part of a nonresidential building at 911 C & D Pendleton Street into a home, but the lot has no public street frontage, so the conversion needs two special use permits. The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the request Tuesday, Sept. 1.

Updated Aug 30