Parking Restrictions and Districts Overview

Certain areas in the City are designated as residential permit parking districts. Learn how to obtain a permit, request a guest permit, or reserve temporary parking.
Page updated on January 9, 2023 at 2:42 PM

Residential Permit Parking (RPP) Districts

2 or 3 Hour Parking (depending on the location) EXCEPT for Vehicles with appropriate district residential parking permits.
The residential permit parking ordinance prohibits on-street parking for more than two or three hours during varying time periods unless vehicles display the appropriate parking permits. Specific time limits and hours of enforcement are posted on each block. 

RPP Permit Eligibility
Residents within this residential permit parking district are eligible for residential parking permits pursuant to Section 5-8-77 of the City Code. The parking permit allows residents to park their vehicle anywhere within the parking district on block faces signed with RPP exemptions (e.g. signage that says “except holders of District 6 permits”). Unless specifically noted, all other restriction signs remain effective. Guest permits may be obtained online or at City Hall.

Sub Districts
Addresses within the Sub Districts are on blocks adjacent to a residential parking district.  Residents in Sub Districts are eligible for a residential parking permit for that district if they lack adequate alternative nearby parking facilities available to them, per Section 5-8-77 of the City Code.  However, blocks in the Sub Districts are not eligible for posted residential parking permit restrictions.

To petition for RPP changes for your block, please fill out the appropriate form: 

For more information: 

Residential Pay by Phone

Residents on eligible blocks may request residential pay by phone signage that requires vehicles without an applicable district sticker to pay a parking fee to park on the block, while exempting residents and guests that display a valid district permit. 

For more information: 

Residential Pay By Phone Program

District 12 Residential Parking

No Parking from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EXCEPT for vehicles that are registered with the City or display a guest or visitor permits for District 12.  

Street sign with text "No Parking, Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm, Except Holidays, Vehicles registeres with City Ord. 3-2-229 or displaying district 12 permits exempt

The goal of District 12 parking restrictions is to prevent commuters from outside Alexandria from parking on publicly owned District 12 streets during the workday. On streets where such signage is present, parking is prohibited on weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (except holidays), unless the vehicle is registered with the City of Alexandria or displays a Guest or Visitor permit for District 12.

If your residence is located within the District 12 boundaries, the City will send you a permanent visitor/guest permit should a sufficient number of residents on your block face successfully petition the City to establish restricted parking on a part of the block that includes your residence. 

District 12 Guest Parking Hangtags

To petition for daytime parking restrictions on your block, please fill out the following form: 

Overnight Parking District (District 12A)

No Parking from 12:00 midnight to 6:00 a.m. EXCEPT for vehicles that are registered with the City or display a guest or visitor permits for District 12.
Overnight parking is prohibited from 12:00 midnight to 6:00 a.m. in selected city blocks with posted overnight parking restrictions, unless the vehicle is either registered with the City or displays a Guest or Visitor permit. Visitor and/or guest permits can be obtained online or at the Treasury Division of the Finance Department, City Hall, Room 1510, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

To petition to create an overnight parking district, please fill out the following form: 

Metered Parking

2 or 3 Hour parking (depending on the location) from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. in Old Town and Carlyle and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Potomac Yard Monday through Saturday.
Multi-space parking meters have replaced most single-space devices in Old Town. The rate at multi-space meters is generally $1.75 per hour, and the rate at single-space meters is generally $1.25 per hour. Meters in Old Town and Carlyle generally require payment Monday through Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., and are free on Sundays and state holidays. Meters in Potomac Yard require payment Monday through Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and are free on Sundays and state holidays. Meter times and prices may vary based on location, so drivers should always read all signage carefully before parking on-street.

Metered parking can also be paid by phone using the ParkMobile app.  For more information:

Pay By Phone Parking

Parking for Persons with Disabilities

FREE up to 4 hours.
Parking for persons with disabilities is free for up to 4 hours at single and multi-space meters. In addition, individuals with a handicapped license plate and/or handicapped hangtag could park more than TWICE the restricted time posted on signs in time restricted parking zones.

Information about requesting disability parking space signage on residential streets is available here.

Parking for Extended Periods: 72-Hour Parking Rule

Per Alexandria City Code, no vehicle may park in a given space on a public street for a period of more than 72 consecutive hours, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. Individuals who believe a vehicle has been parked in the same location on-street for a period of more than 72-hours may call the Alexandria Police Department to report the vehicle. Enforcement officers respond by placing a check-notice on the vehicle. Enforcement returns after a period of 72-hours, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. If a vehicle has not been moved, the vehicle is subject to enforcement.

Residents may apply for temporary exemptions to the rule. A temporary exemption may last up to 14 days. Residents must park within 1/8 mile of their homes, and all on-street restriction signage is still applicable.

For more information, please see:

Other On-Street Parking Restrictions

Residents or businesses can request a change in on-street parking restrictions not related to residential permit parking or residential disability parking by filling out this On-Street Parking Modification Request form and following the instructions provided.

Heavy Vehicle Parking Restrictions

City Code regulates where heavy vehicles or commercial vehicles can park within the City and for how long. 

  • Per Section 10-4-6, parking of commercial vehicles is prohibited in residential areas, unless it is actively loading or unloading.  
  • Per Section 10-4-46, parking of commercial vehicles in commercial areas is limited to 2 hours.  For more information on these restrictions and associated fines, please visit the Heavy Vehicle Parking Restriction page.