Coordinated Development Districts (CDDs) are planned development overlays approved by City Council for large mixed-use projects. Each CDD has its own approved master plan and Special Use Permit conditions. CDDs cover major sites including Potomac Yard (new Metro station), Landmark Mall redevelopment, Carlyle, and the waterfront. Affordable housing is required: one-third of density above the underlying SAP recommendation must be committed affordable at 40% AMI average.
Development standards in CDD
We don't hold published dimensional standards for this zone yet — see the ordinance link below for the authoritative table.
Permitted uses in CDD
ConditionalMixed Use (Project-Specific) Sec. 5-602(D): any proposed development within a CDD is a special use requiring a CDD special use permit; Sec. 5-602(C) requires consistency with the master plan guidelines for the district. The use programme is set by that permit, not by a use list
ConditionalRetail Programme-level retail is set by the CDD special use permit (Sec. 5-602(D)). Retail shopping establishment up to 20,000 gross sf is separately permitted by right under Sec. 5-602(E)(12) -- see that entry
ConditionalResidential Residential programme and density are set by the approved CDD master plan and special use permit (Sec. 5-602(C) and Sec. 5-602(D)); the ordinance states no residential use list or density for the generic CDD zone
ConditionalOffice Office programme is set by the approved CDD special use permit (Sec. 5-602(D)). Health profession office and radio or television broadcasting office are separately permitted by right under Sec. 5-602(E)(3) and Sec. 5-602(E)(9)
ConditionalAffordable Housing City affordable housing policy applied through the CDD special use permit (Sec. 5-602(D)); one-third of density above the underlying Small Area Plan recommendation at an average of 40 percent AMI. Not a use list entry in Sec. 5-602
AllowedHealth and athletic club or fitness studio Permitted by right in every CDD under Sec. 5-602(E) when located in or immediately adjacent to a building constructed pursuant to a CDD special use permit, unless that permit specifically prohibits it. Sec. 5-602(E)(1)
AllowedChurch Permitted by right in every CDD under Sec. 5-602(E) when located in or immediately adjacent to a building constructed pursuant to a CDD special use permit, unless that permit specifically prohibits it. Sec. 5-602(E)(1.1)
AllowedDay care center Permitted by right in every CDD under Sec. 5-602(E) when located in or immediately adjacent to a building constructed pursuant to a CDD special use permit, unless that permit specifically prohibits it. Sec. 5-602(E)(2)
AllowedHealth profession office Permitted by right in every CDD under Sec. 5-602(E) when located in or immediately adjacent to a building constructed pursuant to a CDD special use permit, unless that permit specifically prohibits it. Sec. 5-602(E)(3)
AllowedMedical laboratory Permitted by right in every CDD under Sec. 5-602(E) when located in or immediately adjacent to a building constructed pursuant to a CDD special use permit, unless that permit specifically prohibits it. Sec. 5-602(E)(4)
AllowedOutdoor dining located on private property Permitted by right in every CDD under Sec. 5-602(E) when located in or immediately adjacent to a building constructed pursuant to a CDD special use permit, unless that permit specifically prohibits it. Sec. 5-602(E)(5)
AllowedPersonal service establishment Permitted by right in every CDD under Sec. 5-602(E) when located in or immediately adjacent to a building constructed pursuant to a CDD special use permit, unless that permit specifically prohibits it. Sec. 5-602(E)(6)
AllowedPrivate school, commercial Permitted by right in every CDD under Sec. 5-602(E) when located in or immediately adjacent to a building constructed pursuant to a CDD special use permit, unless that permit specifically prohibits it. Sec. 5-602(E)(7)
AllowedPublic school Permitted by right in every CDD under Sec. 5-602(E) when located in or immediately adjacent to a building constructed pursuant to a CDD special use permit, unless that permit specifically prohibits it. Sec. 5-602(E)(8)
AllowedRadio or television broadcasting office and studio Permitted by right in every CDD under Sec. 5-602(E) when located in or immediately adjacent to a building constructed pursuant to a CDD special use permit, unless that permit specifically prohibits it. Sec. 5-602(E)(9)
AllowedRecreation and entertainment use, indoor Permitted by right in every CDD under Sec. 5-602(E) when located in or immediately adjacent to a building constructed pursuant to a CDD special use permit, unless that permit specifically prohibits it. Sec. 5-602(E)(10)
AllowedRestaurant Permitted by right in every CDD under Sec. 5-602(E) when located in or immediately adjacent to a building constructed pursuant to a CDD special use permit, unless that permit specifically prohibits it. Sec. 5-602(E)(11)
AllowedRetail shopping establishment, up to 20,000 gross square feet Permitted by right in every CDD under Sec. 5-602(E) when located in or immediately adjacent to a building constructed pursuant to a CDD special use permit, unless that permit specifically prohibits it. Sec. 5-602(E)(12)
AllowedSocial service use Permitted by right in every CDD under Sec. 5-602(E) when located in or immediately adjacent to a building constructed pursuant to a CDD special use permit, unless that permit specifically prohibits it. Sec. 5-602(E)(13)
ConditionalAny use with live entertainment Allowed in every CDD by administrative approval under Sec. 5-602(F), pursuant to Sec. 11-513 -- no public hearing -- when located in or immediately abutting a building constructed pursuant to a CDD special use permit, unless that permit specifically prohibits it. Sec. 5-602(F)(1)
ConditionalOutdoor dining other than pursuant to section 5-602(E)(5) Allowed in every CDD by administrative approval under Sec. 5-602(F), pursuant to Sec. 11-513 -- no public hearing -- when located in or immediately abutting a building constructed pursuant to a CDD special use permit, unless that permit specifically prohibits it. Sec. 5-602(F)(2)
ConditionalRetail shopping establishment, larger than 20,000 gross square feet Allowed in every CDD by administrative approval under Sec. 5-602(F), pursuant to Sec. 11-513 -- no public hearing -- when located in or immediately abutting a building constructed pursuant to a CDD special use permit, unless that permit specifically prohibits it. Sec. 5-602(F)(3)
ConditionalValet parking Allowed in every CDD by administrative approval under Sec. 5-602(F), pursuant to Sec. 11-513 -- no public hearing -- when located in or immediately abutting a building constructed pursuant to a CDD special use permit, unless that permit specifically prohibits it. Sec. 5-602(F)(4)
ConditionalSTR - Short-Term Rentals STR permit required for >10 days/year; owner-occupied or unhosted permitted; Sec. 7-1403/7-1404
"Conditional" means the use generally requires a public hearing or special-exception approval — a very different timeline and risk profile from a by-right permit.
This is the zone. What about the parcel?
Zone rules are the starting point — the answer for a specific property also depends on lot
size, overlays, existing improvements and site conditions. Run a free address lookup to see
what applies to one property.