For information and/or questions about operating a business in the City of Alexandria, and the City's business license and business personal property taxes, contact Business Tax staff at businesstax@alexandriava.gov, or visit the Starting a Business and Business License Tax webpages.

For general guidance on how to start a business, visit:

• Alexandria Economic Development Partnership (AEDP)
• AEDP Small Business

The City’s zoning districts outline where certain businesses can locate and the zoning approval path forward.  To find your zone, you may search your address in the City’s GIS Parcel Viewer.  To learn the approval path for your business, search your zone in the City’s Zoning Ordinance and refer to the Permitted Uses, Administrative Special Uses, and Special Uses sections. 

To confirm if your business requires Administrative Special Use or Special Use permit approval, first contact planners at pznondevelopment@alexandriava.gov before applying for a permit through APEX, the City’s permitting and land use system.

Home occupations are permitted in residential dwellings with certain use limitations.  Please visit the Zoning Ordinance Sec. 7-300 – Home Occupations to learn all limitations for home-based businesses.  Please contact the Zoning Planner of the Day at pczoning@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.4333 for additional guidance.

Please visit Business Outdoor Programs

Uses listed in the Zoning Ordinance as Special Uses require either an administrative or public hearing Special Use Permit (SUP) before they can operate. See Business and Zoning Compliance above to determine if you require Special Use Permit approval. These links assist you with applying for a Special Use Permit.

• Planning Commission Hearing Schedule and Filing Deadlines 
• Planning and Zoning Applications
• Administrative SUPs are also listed individually here.

The GIS Document Imaging Viewer is an interactive map that allows users to browse land use related documents stored in the City of Alexandria's Document Imaging System by location. Use this tool to find a Special Use Permit (SUP) by SUP#, address, parcel number, intersection or general location.

Searches are currently limited to SUP documents that have been incorporated into the system and subdivision plats on file with ITS. These documents include SUPs issued since first required in 1950, and plats for subdivisions since1955. Current SUPs and plats are incorporated into the system on an ongoing basis. Note that subdivision plats on file are generally those that have been required by the City during a subdivision process. The City does not keep individual property plats on record. A plat is usually included with your deed at settlement when you purchase the property. You can contact your settlement company or have the property re-surveyed.  

Administrative SUPs are also listed individually here.

SUP numbers are in one of the following formats:

1. I want to redevelop my property. Can I do it?
   A property may be developed (or redeveloped) according to zoning ordinance regulations, which govern issues such as land use, property area, height, square footage, building setbacks, parking and other regulations. Each development proposed must comply with zoning ordinance regulations for the zone in which the property is located. A property may be redeveloped “by-right” (in compliance with zoning ordinance regulations), or a property may be developed with modifications or variances requesting relief from zoning ordinance requirements. Check the Zoning Ordinance.
2. What is my property zoned?
   To access zoning and map information for your parcel (in addition to numerous other categories of information), you can visit the GIS Parcel Viewer and enter your address. You can view the Zoning Ordinance for specific zoning regulations.
3. Where can I get a plat of my property?
   While the City does not keep official records of individual property plats or surveys on record, we do keep copies of those that are submitted for permits or other land use approval. Send an email to the Planner of the Day at pczoning@alexandriava.gov.  A plat is typically included with your deed at settlement when you purchase the property, however, they are not required.  You can contact your settlement company or have the property re-surveyed if a plat is not provided at settlement.
4. What are the regulations for:
   1. Building a new addition to my house?  You may want to begin by contacting the Zoning Planner of the Day at pczoning@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.4333 to discuss your proposed addition and the applicable zoning classification of the property and the required setbacks, height, open space and floor area ratio. To determine the zoning of your property online, go to our GIS Parcel Viewer.  In addition to scaled plans, you will need to complete and submit the Floor Area and Open Space Computations Form along with a copy of your plat to P&Z along with your building permit application. The Department of Code Administration checklist for residential additions and new construction outlines the minimum submission requirements for a building permit.
      1. Building a new porch? Note that screened-in/enclosed porches are considered the same as a walled addition. Please consult the following sections of the Zoning Ordinance for zoning requirements for porches.
         1. ​​​​​​​Section 2-145(A)(5) for floor area porch exclusion 
         2. Section 7-202(E) for porch size regulations
   2. Building a shed?  Please consult Section 7-202(C)(2) of the Zoning Ordinance for zoning requirements, but also contact the Department of Code Administration to check on permit requirements. Sheds that are 65 square feet and up to 8 feet in height (for townhouse dwellings or single and two-unit dwellings in the historic districts) and 100 square feet and up to 10 feet in height (for single and two-unit dwellings) may be built in side or rear yards behind the front building wall of the dwelling. Larger sheds must comply with the applicable setbacks, floor area ratio and open space requirements in the Zoning Ordinance. Please contact the Zoning Planner of the Day at pczoning@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.4333 for additional guidance. Board of Architectural Review approval may be required for sheds built in the historic districts. Please contact historic preservation staff at preservation@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.3833 for additional guidance.
   3. Putting up a new fence?  Even if a fence does not require a building permit to construct, it must comply with the Zoning Ordinance. Please consult the following sections of the Zoning Ordinance or contact the Zoning Planner of the Day at pczoning@alexandriava.gov or call at 703.746.4333 for additional assistance. Board of Architectural Review approval is required for fences built in the Historic Districts.  Please contact Historic Preservation staff at preservation@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.3833 for additional guidance.
      1. Section 7-202(A)(1) alongside and rear property line
      2. Section 7-202(B)(3) along front property line
      3. Section 7-1700 for corner lot fences
   4. ​​​​​​​Finishing my basement?  Generally, finishing a basement will comply with zoning, but depending on the scope of the project there may be additional reviews required. Contact the Zoning Planner of the Day pczoning@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.4333. Please contact the Department of Code Administration at to discuss the building code requirements.
   5. Adding parking/building a garage?  Please consult the following sections of the Zoning Ordinance or contact the Zoning Planner of the Day at pczoning@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.4333 for additional assistance.  Board of Architectural Review approval is required for parking structures in the Historic Districts. Please contact Historic Preservation staff at preservation@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.3833 for additional assistance.  In addition, please consult the APEX Document Library to check on permit requirements or contact the Department of Code Administration for further information.
      1. Section 7-1005 for parking in required yards
      2. Section 7-2500 for private garages
      3. Section 8-200(D) for design of parking spaces and facilities

1. Do I need zoning approval for my new business?
   Yes. Depending on the type of business you are establishing and your location, there are different types of approvals needed. These may include zoning review, a special use permit, Board of Architectural Review approval or a sign permit. The Department of Planning and Zoning handles all of these reviews and approvals. Contact the Zoning Planner of the Day pczoning@alexandriava.gov or call at 703.746.4333 to find out more.
2. How do I know if my type of business if permitted in a particular location?
   The Zoning Planner of the Day will assist you in determining if your type of business is appropriate under the zoning code for the area in which you want to locate. Staff can also review with you any zoning conditions, parking requirements, or other types of approvals that may be required. Contact the Zoning Planner of the Day pczoning@alexandriava.gov or call at 703.746.4333 to find out more.
3. How do I file a complaint or request a zoning inspection?

   Please use Alex 311 to report a compliant and schedule an inspection.