3 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in District of Columbia, District of Columbia.
Verified from official government sources
DC setbacks are established in the 2016 DC Zoning Regulations (DCMR Title 11) and vary dramatically by zone. R-1 detached residential zones require 20-40 foot front yards and 8-foot side yards, while R-4 row house zones have no side setbacks. Rear setbacks are typically 20 feet. Variances require Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) approval.
DC building heights are capped by the federal Height of Buildings Act of 1910 (40 USC section 6611), which limits buildings to the width of the street plus 20 feet, with absolute caps of 130 feet on commercial streets and 90 feet in residential zones. This federal statute makes DC the only American city with a congressional skyline limit, preserving the monumental character of the capital.
DC zoning caps lot occupancy (not impervious surface) at percentages ranging from 40% in R-1 detached zones to 100% in downtown commercial zones. R-4 row house zones cap at 60%. The 2016 zoning also introduced FAR (floor area ratio) and pervious surface requirements. Green Area Ratio applies in many zones to maintain ecological function.
1 cities in District of Columbia have their own building setbacks & zoning rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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