The DC Comprehensive Plan, last amended 2021, sets the legally binding Future Land Use Map and Generalized Policy Map that the Zoning Commission uses to evaluate planned-unit developments and zoning map amendments.
Under DC Code 1-301.62, the Comprehensive Plan is adopted by the Council and approved by the National Capital Planning Commission. The 2021 amendments resolved long-running litigation about the Future Land Use Map's binding effect, clarifying that map designations control over conflicting zoning. The Office of Planning administers area elements for each ward and small-area plans for neighborhoods like H Street, Florida Avenue, and Bridge District. Planned-unit developments (PUDs) and zoning map amendments must be 'not inconsistent' with the plan, a standard tested in DC Court of Appeals decisions including Durant v. DC Zoning Commission.
Inconsistent PUDs are remanded by the Zoning Commission or reversed on appeal, often delaying projects two to three years and requiring redesign or reduced density.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Washington, DC
Washington DC does not regulate lawn ornaments on private property through a specific ordinance. Statuary, religious displays, and decorative landscape eleme...
Washington, DC
Washington DC has no city ordinance specifically regulating inflatable holiday displays on private property. The primary city concerns are (1) public-space e...
Washington, DC
The District of Columbia does not impose specific install-by or take-down-by dates for holiday lights on private property. City-wide regulation is limited to...
Washington, DC
Washington DC requires Department of Buildings (DOB) permits for built-in outdoor kitchens that involve gas line installation, electrical work, plumbing, or ...
Washington, DC
Washington DC has no smoker-specific ordinance, but smokers and wood-fired ovens are open-flame cooking devices subject to IFC Section 308.1.4 in multi-famil...
Washington, DC
Washington DC adopts the International Fire Code (IFC) as the DC Fire Code (12-G DCMR). IFC Section 308.1.4 prohibits charcoal and other open-flame cooking d...
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