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District of Columbia Statewide Rule

District of Columbia Anacostia Waterfront Development Environmental Standards

Some RestrictionsApplies statewide across District of Columbia (2026)

Key Facts

Applies to
Anacostia Waterfront Development Zone
Financing trigger
15% District-financed or District-owned
Green building
LEED-accredited professional required
Marinas
Clean Marina Guidebook compliance
Enforcing agency
DOEE
Last verified: July 31, 2026

Summary

New construction and substantial-improvement projects inside DC's Anacostia Waterfront Development Zone must meet the District's integrated environmental design standards, green building, stormwater control, marina, and site-preservation requirements, whenever District-owned, at least 15% District-financed, or built on transferred District property.

This part shall apply to all new construction and substantial improvement projects located within the Anacostia Waterfront Development Zone, as defined in § 2-1226.04: (1) That are District-owned or District instrumentality-owned; (2) Where at least 15% of a project's total cost is District-financed or District instrumentality-financed; or (3) That include a gift, lease, or sale from District-owned or District instrumentality-owned property to a private entity.

Full Breakdown

The Anacostia Waterfront Environmental Standards Act governs development along DC's Anacostia River. Under D.C. Official Code § 2-1226.33(a), the part reaches new construction and substantial-improvement projects in the Anacostia Waterfront Development Zone that are District-owned, at least 15% District-financed, or built on property transferred from the District to a private entity. Qualifying applicants must retain a LEED-accredited professional and prepare a sustainability plan covering energy use, green building, site planning and preservation, and stormwater management (§ 2-1226.34), and marinas must comply with the National Park Service Clean Marina Guidebook (§ 2-1226.37). The Department of Energy and Environment reviews compliance checklists submitted through the permitting process.

Violations & Penalties

Non-compliant projects cannot obtain required District approvals; DOEE reviews sustainability plans, green-building and stormwater checklists, and Clean Marina documentation before construction proceeds in the waterfront zone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this apply to every Anacostia waterfront project?
No. Only new construction or substantial-improvement projects that are District-owned, at least 15% District-financed, or built on property transferred from the District to a private entity.
What standards must qualifying projects meet?
Integrated environmental design: green building (LEED), stormwater control, marina standards under the Clean Marina Guidebook, and site planning and preservation, documented in a sustainability plan reviewed by the District.

Sources

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