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Washington, DC Building Setbacks & Zoning: Structure Height Limits (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Residential street cap
90 feet
Narrow street (60-65 ft) cap
60 feet
Formula
street width minus 10 feet
Source law
Height of Buildings Act, D.C. Code § 6-601.05
Daily fine for violation
$10 to $100 per day

Summary

In Washington, D.C., buildings on a residential street are capped at 90 feet, with the actual limit tied to the street's width under the century-old Height of Buildings Act.

On a residence street, avenue, or highway no building shall be erected, altered, or raised in any manner so as to be over 90 feet in height at the highest part of the roof or parapet, nor shall the highest part of the roof or parapet exceed in height the width of the street, avenue, or highway upon which it abuts, diminished by 10 feet, except on the street, avenue, or highway 60 to 65 feet wide, where a height of 60 feet may be allowed.

Source: D.C. Code § 6-601.05View official code

Full Breakdown

Under D.C. Code § 6-601.05(c), a building on a residential street, avenue, or highway cannot rise above 90 feet at the roof or parapet, and generally cannot exceed the street's width minus 10 feet. Narrower streets get lower caps: a street 60 to 65 feet wide tops out at 60 feet, and on streets 60 feet wide or less the limit equals the street's width. This formula, dating to the 1910 Height of Buildings Act, sets the statutory ceiling separate from the District's Zoning Regulations (11 DCMR), which can impose additional, more restrictive limits by zone.

Violations & Fines

Erecting, altering, or raising a building beyond the residential height limit is declared a common nuisance under § 6-601.08, punishable by a fine of $10 to $100 per day the violation continues, plus court-ordered abatement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 90 feet the height limit everywhere in D.C.?
No, 90 feet is only the maximum. The actual cap is tied to the street's width and drops as low as 60 feet on streets 60 to 65 feet wide.
Does this replace the D.C. Zoning Regulations' height limits?
No. This Code section sets the statutory outer limit; the separately published Zoning Regulations (11 DCMR) apply their own zone-specific limits, which can be stricter.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Washington

Noise Ordinances: Construction HoursSome RestrictionsSetback RulesSome RestrictionsLot Coverage LimitsSome RestrictionsCurfew Laws: Juvenile CurfewHeavy RestrictionsTree Protection: Urban Forest EquityLight RestrictionsEnvironmental Rules: Heat Island MitigationSome RestrictionsZoning Overlays & Bonuses: Transit-Oriented Communities (TOC)Some RestrictionsEnvironmental Rules: Shoreline ManagementSome Restrictions

All Washington rules

Compare Washington to another location·View the District of Columbia building setbacks & zoning overview

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