Alexandria is an independent city and not part of a county; it functions as its own jurisdiction for all permitting, planning, and zoning. The city manages all building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing permits internally. Specific geographic overlays include the Old and Historic Alexandria District and the Parker-Gray District, which require additional review by the Board of Architectural Review.
How this fits with the state
The state authority here is Virginia DPOR - Board for Contractors. The county file does not replace that — it adds the permit office, local overlays, and the actual filing path.