DC's zoning regulations allow higher density and reduced parking minimums within a quarter mile of Metro stations under Title 11 Subtitle C, supporting Comprehensive Plan goals to direct 75% of new growth to transit corridors.
Title 11 zoning regulations include high-density zones (D-1 through D-7), mixed-use zones (MU), and the New Communities and Hub framework that concentrate growth near Metro stations. Buildings in these zones can reach FAR of 6.0 to 12.0 and reduce or eliminate parking minimums. The Comprehensive Plan's Generalized Policy Map identifies Regional Activity Centers, Multi-Neighborhood Centers, and Neighborhood Conservation Areas to guide which corridors absorb growth. The 2021 plan amendments increased density near eight stations including NoMa, Friendship Heights, and Rhode Island Avenue.
Projects exceeding zone limits without a PUD or map amendment are denied by DCRA. Zoning Commission approvals may be appealed to the DC Court of Appeals.
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...
See how Washington's transit-oriented communities (toc) rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.