Living in Alexandria

Make the most of Alexandria's outstanding quality of life with information and services of interest to residents.
Page updated on June 17, 2024 at 2:59 PM
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New Resident Information

Learn some of the things you need to know as a new resident, and explore the City's website for more information about City government services, programs, initiatives, projects and events. 

Register your children for school

Online registration is available for Alexandria City Public Schools.
Learn more about enrollment in ACPS

Register to vote

Register to vote, update your current voter registration, apply to vote absentee by mail, or view your polling place, election district, and more.
VA Department of Elections

Register your vehicle for personal property taxes

Personal Property Tax is responsible for the assessment of all vehicles that are taxable in the City of Alexandria.
Learn more about Personal Property Tax

Register your home with Smart 911

Smart911 allows individuals and businesses to create online safety profiles to provide information to 911 dispatchers in advance of emergencies.
Learn more about Smart 911

Register your pets

Alexandria City Code requires all dogs and cats over the age of four months to be licensed and requires each owner to obtain a license within 30 days.
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Schools and Libraries

RPCA OSTP 2024-25 School Year 3

Pre-school Enrollment

Pre-school enrollment for children ages 3 and 4 through Kids’ First Years, a partnership of organizations in Alexandria who work to ensure the city provides comprehensive support, care and education for all young children and their families.

Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) serve more than 15,000 students who hail from more than 119 countries and speak 124 languages. There are 18 schools, including two middle schools, two K-8 schools, one pre-K school and the internationally recognized Alexandria City High School. 

In addition, there are a variety of private and parochial schools in the City, as well as numerous institutions of higher learning in the region.

The Alexandria Library maintains collections of general, regionally historical, and recreational reading, listening, and viewing materials for home and on-site use; provides information services by both professional and skilled staff; provides access to off-site collections, electronic reference resources, and the Internet through the latest information technologies.

City Services Map

This map provides information on city services that are available to the public. Services selected to be shown on this site include programs, initiatives, and facility information that new residents to the City of Alexandria may be seeking. Various city departments, including Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities, Information Technology Services, the Department of Community and Human Services, Alexandria Libraries, and Alexandria Health Department provided the data to be included.

A screenshot of the interactive City Services Map displaying multiple categories of colorful icons

Visit the City Services Map

Use this application to explore the various public services the City of Alexandria offers to its residents! Click on one of the topics to explore locations, descriptions and websites to discover services throughout the City.

Image of AlexWest June Community Meeting

Get Involved

There are many opportunities to get involved to help better the City of Alexandria. Opportunities include serving on a Board, Commission or Committee, providing input on a new City project or speaking at a City Council meeting.

Community Life

Learn more about pets and animals, schools and libraries, parks and farmers' markets, community gardens, and more.

Licenses and Permits

Find out whether a permit is required, the type of permit needed, fees involved, and what requirements are necessary, and more.
Learn More about Licenses and Permits

Utilities

The City of Alexandria does not operate any public utilities. The listed companies are the primary providers of their respective services.
Learn More about Public Utilities

Public Works

Public Works provides maintenance and repairs for many critical aspects of the City's infrastructure.
Learn more about Public Works

Public Safety and Courts

Learn more about the City of Alexandria's law enforcement agencies and public safety organizations, courts and judicial system.
Learn More about Public Safety and Courts

Real Estate and Taxes

The City collects car and real estate taxes, maintains tax relief programs and assesses property values.
Learn More about Real Estate and Taxes

Historic Alexandria

Many of the city's premier historic sites fall under the administration of the Office of Historic Alexandria, the department of City government charged with the conservation, interpretation and promotion of these links to the past. These sites bring Alexandria's varied and storied history to life. Additionally, Alexandria has many  more historic sites which are open to the public and tell a significant part of the city's historical tale. 

Historic Preservation House Plaque

Historic Preservation

Alexandria has a rich historic and cultural legacy which not only creates the city’s unique sense of place, but also represents one of its primary economic and cultural assets.

Alexandria Hospital, Duke Street 2018

Visit Museums and Historic Sites

The City owns many of the premier historic sites in Alexandria and it is charged with the conservation, interpretation and promotion of these links to the past. 

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Getting Around

Information on how to get to and through the City of Alexandria, including walking, biking, bus, rail, air, ridesharing, and more.

Photo of cars parked on a cobbled street in Old Town

Parking in Alexandria

Information about parking in the City of Alexandria, including parking options, enforcement, districts and permits.

Market Square with the fountain in the foreground and City Hall in the background. A large American flag is hanging over the front entrance of City Hall

Resources, Programs & Services For Immigrants and Refugees

The City is committed to providing a wide range of effective and essential safety net services to improve or maintain the well-being, safety and self-sufficiency of all its residents—including the hundreds of refugees and immigrants we welcome into our community every year. 

ALIVE! Donate Food

Social Services

The City provides public assistance as a safety net for individuals and families, including help with homelessness prevention, food, rent, utilities, medical coverage and prescriptions, job training and placement assistance, and much more.

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Public Health and Wellness

The City of Alexandria strives to provide effective and essential safety net services that measurably improve or maintain the quality of life for Alexandria residents.