DC has the nation's most famous building height restriction under the federal Height of Buildings Act of 1910 (codified at 40 USC Section 3102). No building may exceed the width of the adjacent street plus 20 feet, with an absolute maximum of 130 feet for commercial buildings and 90 feet for residential.
The Height of Buildings Act of 1910, as amended, is a federal law that limits building heights throughout DC. Commercial buildings on streets 90+ feet wide are limited to 130 feet (approximately 11-12 stories). Residential buildings are limited to 90 feet (approximately 8 stories). Buildings on narrower streets have proportionally lower limits calculated as street width plus 20 feet. The law is enforced by the National Capital Planning Commission and DC's zoning code incorporates these limits. The DC zoning code (11 DCMR) may impose even stricter height limits in certain zone districts. Church spires, towers, and some mechanical penthouses may be exempt from height calculations. This law gives DC its distinctive low-rise skyline.
Building plans exceeding height limits will be denied permits. Construction that exceeds approved heights faces mandatory reduction, stop-work orders, and potential federal enforcement.
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See how Washington's structure height limits rules stack up against other locations.
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