District of Columbia Administrative Code

CHAIN BRIDGE/UNIVERSITY TERRACE ZONE 103.1 The Chain Bridge/University Terrace zone (R-1A/CBUT) applies to the following lots: (a) Lots 826, 829, 839-843, 845-847, 849-851, and 853-857 in Square 1409; (b) Lots 829 and 830 in Square 1410; (c) Lots 803, 806, 807, 829, 830, 832, 840…

CLEVELAND PARK NEIGHBORHOOD MIXED-USE ZONE The Cleveland Park Neighborhood Mixed-Use zone (NMU-4/CP) applies to a compact geographic area surrounding the Cleveland Park Metrorail Station and within the Cleveland Park Historic District, comprising those lots in Squares 2218, 2219,…

DUPONT CIRCLE ZONES 105.1 The Dupont Circle zones (RF-1/DC, RA-2/DC, RA-4/DC, RA-5/DC, MU-1/DC, MU-2/DC, MU-4/DC, MU-5A/DC, MU-6B/DC, MU-8B/DC, MU-9B/DC and MU-10/DC) applies to the following lots: (a) All lots in Squares 23, 35, 48, 49, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94…

EIGHTH STREET SOUTHEAST NEIGHBORHOOD MIXED-USE ZONE The Eighth Street Southeast Neighborhood Mixed-Use zone (NMU-7B/ES) applies to a compact geographic area along Eighth Street, S.E., near the entrance to the Navy Yard, comprising all lots in Squares 906, 907, 929, and 930. SOURC…

FOREST HILLS TREE AND SLOPE PROTECTION ZONES 107.1 The Forest Hills Tree and Slope Protection zones (R-1A/FH, R-1B/FH, and R‑2/FH): (a) Are established to preserve and enhance the park-like setting of the designated neighborhoods bounded by Connecticut Avenue and 32nd Street on t…

FOGGY BOTTOM ZONE 108.1 The Foggy Bottom zone (R-3/FB) has the identical boundaries of the Foggy Bottom Historic District and applies to: (a) The following area, the boundaries of which begin at the intersection of K and 25th Streets, N.W., and proceed as follows: east along the …

109 FORT TOTTEN ZONES 109.1 The Fort Totten zones (MU-7B/FT, MU-10/FT, PDR-1/FT, and PDR-4/FT) apply to the area that is immediately north and south of Fort Circle Park (also known as Fort Drive Park) as follows: (a) North of Fort Circle Park: (1) The boundaries of the MU-7B/FT z…

GEORGIA AVENUE NEIGHBORHOOD MIXED-USE ZONES 110.1 The Georgia Avenue Neighborhood Mixed-Use zones (NMU-4/GA and NMU‑7B/GA) apply to all properties in the NMU-4 and NMU-7B zones along both sides of Georgia Avenue, N.W., from the north side of the intersection of Georgia Avenue, N.…

HILL EAST ZONES 111.1 The Hill East zones (HE-1 through HE-4) apply to Federal Reservation 13, which is designated for mixed-used development on the Future Land Use Map of the Comprehensive Plan and the Reservation 13 Hill East Waterfront Master Plan, as approved by the Council o…

H STREET NORTHEAST NEIGHBORHOOD MIXED-USE ZONES 112.1 The H Street Northeast Neighborhood Mixed-Use zones (NMU-4/H-H, NMU-5A/H-H, NMU-6B/H-H, NMU-7B/H-H, NMU-8B/H-H, NMU-4/H-R, NMU-5A/H-R, NMU-4/H-A, and NMU-7B/H-A) apply to all lots fronting onto H Street, N.E. from 2nd Street t…

MACOMB-WISCONSIN NEIGHBORHOOD MIXED-USE ZONE 113.1 The Macomb-Wisconsin Neighborhood Mixed-Use zone (NMU-3A/MW) applies to the neighborhood commercial area near and extending from the intersection of Macomb Street and Wisconsin Avenue, N.W., comprising those lots in the MU-3A zon…

REED-COOKE ZONES 114.1 The Reed-Cooke zones (RA-2/RC, MU-4/RC and MU-5A/RC) apply to the portions of lots in the RA-2, MU-4, and MU-5A zones in Squares 150, 2557, 2558, 2560, 2562, 2563, 2566, 2567, and 2572. SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 63 DCR 2447, 3443 (March 4, 2016 …

SAINT ELIZABETHS EAST CAMPUS ZONES 115.1 The Saint Elizabeths East Campus zones (StE-1 through StE-19) apply to Lot 2 in Square S-5868, which comprises the area historically referred to as the St. Elizabeths East Campus, and generally bounded by the Unified Communications Center …

SIXTEENTH STREET HEIGHTS ZONES 116.1 The Sixteenth Street Heights zone (R-1B/SH) applies to the geographic area in northwest Washington generally bounded by 16th Street and Rock Creek Park, N.W., on the west, Military Road and Missouri Avenue, N.W., on the north, and 14th Street,…

SOUTHEAST FEDERAL CENTER ZONES The Southeast Federal Center zones (SEFC-1 though SEFC-4) are applied to an approximately forty-two acre (42 ac.) portion of the Southeast Federal Center site that is designated for "federal use" and "parks, recreation, and open space" in the Compre…

TAKOMA NEIGHBORHOOD MIXED-USE ZONE 118.1 The Takoma Neighborhood Mixed-Use zone (NMU-4/TK) applies to Squares 3188 and 3278 in their entirety, and certain lots and portions of lots zoned NMU-4/TK on: (a) Square 3187 along the frontages of Blair Road and Cedar Street, N.W.; (b) Sq…

UNION STATION NORTH ZONE 119.1 The Union Station North zone (USN) applies to the following squares and air space development lots, as more specifically described in the plat attached to Zoning Commission Order No. 09-21: (a) Square 717, Lots 7001 and 7002 (between H and K Streets…

UPTOWN ARTS MIXED-USE ZONES The Uptown Arts Mixed-Use zones (ARTS-1 through ARTS-4) are applied to the commercial and mixed-use zones in the following squares and portions of Squares in the 14th and U Streets, N.W., area: Squares 202 through 211, 234 through 242, N242, 272, 273, …

WESLEY HEIGHTS RESIDENTIAL HOUSE ZONES 121.1 The Wesley Heights Residential House zones (R-1A/WH and R-1B/WH): (a) The area generally bounded by a line which begins at the intersection of Nebraska and New Mexico Avenues and runs southeast along the center line of New Mexico Avenu…

WOODLEY PARK NEIGHBORHOOD MIXED-USE ZONES 122.1 The Woodley Park Neighborhood Mixed-Use zones (NMU-4/WP and NMU‑5A/WP) apply to a compact geographic area surrounding the Woodley Park/Zoo Metrorail station, comprising: (a) Those lots in the NMU-4 zone in Squares 2202 and 2203; and…

CAPITOL HILL COMMERCIAL MIXED-USE ZONES The Capitol Hill Commercial Mixed-Use zones (MU-4/CHC and MU 4/CAP/CHC) apply to the geographic area in southeast and northeast Washington generally identified as follows: Massachusetts Avenue, N.E./Stanton Park corridor, between 2nd Street…

124 CHEVY CHASE NEIGHBORHOOD MIXED-USE ZONES 124.1 The Chevy Chase Neighborhood Mixed Use Zone NMU-4/CC1 IZ+ shall be mapped in Squares 1859, 1860, 1865, 1867, and 1868 on lots generally along Connecticut Avenue, N.W., between Western Avenue, N.W. and Livingston Street, N.W., and…

125 NAVY YARD EAST ZONE 125.1 The Navy Yard East (NYE) zone is to be applied to Square 955, Lots 804, 805, 806, 807, 808, and 809. SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 72 DCR 006195 (May 23, 2025). District of Columbia Municipal Regulations Zoning Regulations of 2016: Specific Z…

126 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE EAST NEIGHBORHOOD MIXED-USE (NMU-5A/PAE) ZONE 126.1 The Pennsylvania Avenue East Neighborhood Mixed Use (NMU-5A/PAE) zone shall be mapped in Squares 5553, 5556, 5559, 5560, 5579, and 5581 on lots along Pennsylvania Avenue, S.E., between Fairlawn Avenue, S.…

GENERAL PROVISIONS The provisions of this chapter shall apply to the following: Education uses as a university or college when permitted as a special exception; Private schools when permitted as a special exception; and Medical campus plans when permitted as a special exception. …

CAMPUS PLANS Education use by a college or university shall be permitted as a special exception subject to review and approval by the Zoning Commission under Subtitle X, Chapter 9 after its determination that the use meets the applicable standards and conditions of this chapter. …

SPECIAL EXCEPTION FOR USE OF COMMERCIAL PROPERTY BY A COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY A college or university may use a property in any of the MU-3 or MU-4 zones for a use other than the matter-or-right uses established in Subtitle if approved by the Zoning Commission as a special exceptio…

MEDICAL CAMPUS PLANS Medical care uses to be located in two (2) or more buildings that would individually be subject to approval as a special exception may be collectively approved as a medical campus plan. A medical campus shall be permitted as a special exception, subject to re…

PRIVATE SCHOOL PLAN Education use by a private school shall be permitted as a special exception subject to review and approval by the Board of Zoning Adjustment after its determination that the use meets the applicable standards of Subtitle X, Chapter 9 and conditions of this sec…

SCHOOL PLAN REQUIREMENTS The applicant shall submit to the Board of Zoning Adjustment for its approval a plan for the school showing the location, height, and bulk, where appropriate, of all present and proposed improvements, including, but not limited to, the following: Building…

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS An application for a campus plan/further processing review shall comply with the requirements of Subtitle Z § 302. An application for a medical campus plan review shall comply with the requirements of Subtitle Z § 302. An application for a school plan rev…

GENERAL PROVISIONS With respect to variances, the Board of Zoning Adjustment has the power under § 8 of the Zoning Act, D.C. Official Code § 6-641.07(g)(3) (formerly codified at D.C. Official Code § 5-424(g)(3) (2012 Repl.)), "[w]here, by reason of exceptional narrowness, shallow…

VARIANCE TYPES Variances are classified as area variances or use variances. An area variance is a request to deviate from an area requirement applicable to the zone district in which the property is located. Examples of area variances are requests to deviate from: Requirements th…

VARIANCE REVIEW STANDARDS The standard for granting a variance, as stated in Subtitle X § 1000.1 differs with respect to use and area variances as follows: An applicant for an area variance must prove that, as a result of the attributes of a specific piece of property described i…

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS An application for a variance shall meet the requirements of Subtitle Y § 300. SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 63 DCR 2447, 3454 (March 4, 2016 – Part 2). District of Columbia Municipal Regulations Zoning Regulations of 2016: General Procedures 11-X…

INTRODUCTION TO THE ZONING APPEALS PROCESS This chapter provides regulations and instructions for the zoning appeals process. The Board of Zoning Adjustment shall hear and decide zoning appeals where it is alleged by the appellant that there is an error in any order, requirement,…

ZONING APPEAL PROCEDURES In exercising its zoning appeal powers, the Board of Zoning Adjustment may reverse or affirm, wholly or partly, or may modify the order, requirement, decision, determination, or refusal appealed from, or may make such order as may be necessary to carry ou…

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS A zoning appeal shall meet the requirements of Subtitle Y § 302. SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 63 DCR 2447, 3454 (March 4, 2016 – Part 2). District of Columbia Municipal Regulations Zoning Regulations of 2016: General Procedures 11-X DCMR § 1102 A…

INTRODUCTION TO THE CIVIL INFRACTION APPEALS PROCESS This chapter provides regulations for the civil infraction appeals process. The Board of Zoning Adjustment shall entertain and decide civil infraction appeals timely filed by persons aggrieved by orders issued by Administrative…

CIVIL INFRACTION APPEAL PROCEDURES In exercising its civil infraction appeal powers the Board of Zoning Adjustment shall, in conformity with the Civil Infractions Act, make a determination of each appeal on the basis of the record established before the ALJ. The Board of Zoning A…

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS A civil infraction appeal shall meet the requirements of Subtitle Y § 303. SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 63 DCR 2447, 3454 (March 4, 2016 – Part 2). District of Columbia Municipal Regulations Zoning Regulations of 2016: General Procedures 11-X DCM…

1300 TEXT AMENDMENTS 1300.1 The Zoning Commission will evaluate and approve, disapprove, or modify a text amendment petition according to the standards of this section. 1300.2 The Zoning Commission shall find that the petition is not inconsistent with the Comprehensive Plan and w…

1301 PETITION REQUIREMENTS 1301.1 A petition for a text amendment shall meet the requirements of Subtitle Z § 305. SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 63 DCR 10932 (August 26, 2016). District of Columbia Municipal Regulations Zoning Regulations of 2016: General Procedures 11-X …

GENERAL PROVISIONS This chapter provides regulations regarding an application to locate, replace, or expand a chancery use not otherwise permitted as a matter-of-right, to implement the Foreign Missions Act, approved August 24, 1982 (96 Stat. 282, as amended; D.C. Official Code §…

CHANCERY USE CRITERIA The Board of Zoning Adjustment shall determine whether to “not disapprove” or “disapprove” a chancery application according to the standards of this section. A chancery shall be permitted in the medium-high density residential zones, high-density residential…

EXPANSION OR REPLACEMENT OF EXISTING CHANCERIES An existing chancery in a low- to medium-density residential zone may be expanded or replaced, subject to disapproval by the Board of Zoning Adjustment, in accordance with the review standards of Subtitle X § 201.8. SOURCE: Final Ru…

BOARD OF ZONING ADJUSTMENT REVIEW In addition to the procedures for a special exception case set forth in Subtitle Y, the following procedures apply to the review of chancery applications. The consideration of an application submitted under this section shall be considered a rule…

IMPLEMENTATION Following the publication of a notice of final rulemaking giving notice of the Board of Zoning Adjustment’s decision to not disapprove an application, the applicant may file an application for a building permit with the proper authorities of the District of Columbi…

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS An application for a chancery shall meet the requirements of Subtitle Y § 301. SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 63 DCR 2447, 3454 (March 4, 2016 – Part 2). District of Columbia Municipal Regulations Zoning Regulations of 2016: General Procedures 11-X…

PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENTS The purpose of the planned unit development (PUD) process is to provide for higher quality development through flexibility in building controls, including building height and density, provided that a PUD: Results in a project superior to what would resul…