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Washington, D.C. zoning › where can I put this

Where can I put an emergency shelter (5–25 persons) in Washington, D.C.?

“emergency shelter (5–25 persons)” matches 2 uses this ordinance names separately. We do not choose between them — they can have different answers, so every one is shown.

Emergency Shelter (5 to 25 persons)

Allowed only with a discretionary approval in 6 districts

These require a hearing or an approval from the District. They are not a “no”, and they are not a “yes” either.

DistrictProperties loadedCodeWhat says so
CG-5
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
29ConditionalSubtitle U §507.1(a)(7)
to fifteen (15) persons, not including resident supervisors or staff and their families, provided there shall be no property containing an existing community residence facility for eight (8) or more persons within a radius of five hundred feet 500 ft.) from, any portion of the subject property; (5) Daytime care; (6) Eating and drinking establishments, except a drive-through operation shall not be permitted; City of Washington, D.C. | Title 11 - Zoning SUBTITLE U, CHAPTER 5-12 (7) Emergency shelter for not more than four (4) persons, not including resident supervisors or staff and their families;
CG-6
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
no parcels loadedConditionalSubtitle U §507.1(a)(7)
to fifteen (15) persons, not including resident supervisors or staff and their families, provided there shall be no property containing an existing community residence facility for eight (8) or more persons within a radius of five hundred feet 500 ft.) from, any portion of the subject property; (5) Daytime care; (6) Eating and drinking establishments, except a drive-through operation shall not be permitted; City of Washington, D.C. | Title 11 - Zoning SUBTITLE U, CHAPTER 5-12 (7) Emergency shelter for not more than four (4) persons, not including resident supervisors or staff and their families;
CG-7
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
1ConditionalSubtitle U §507.1(a)(7)
to fifteen (15) persons, not including resident supervisors or staff and their families, provided there shall be no property containing an existing community residence facility for eight (8) or more persons within a radius of five hundred feet 500 ft.) from, any portion of the subject property; (5) Daytime care; (6) Eating and drinking establishments, except a drive-through operation shall not be permitted; City of Washington, D.C. | Title 11 - Zoning SUBTITLE U, CHAPTER 5-12 (7) Emergency shelter for not more than four (4) persons, not including resident supervisors or staff and their families;
MU-12
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
310ConditionalSubtitle U §507.1(a)(7)
to fifteen (15) persons, not including resident supervisors or staff and their families, provided there shall be no property containing an existing community residence facility for eight (8) or more persons within a radius of five hundred feet 500 ft.) from, any portion of the subject property; (5) Daytime care; (6) Eating and drinking establishments, except a drive-through operation shall not be permitted; City of Washington, D.C. | Title 11 - Zoning SUBTITLE U, CHAPTER 5-12 (7) Emergency shelter for not more than four (4) persons, not including resident supervisors or staff and their families;
MU-13
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
77ConditionalSubtitle U §507.1(a)(7)
to fifteen (15) persons, not including resident supervisors or staff and their families, provided there shall be no property containing an existing community residence facility for eight (8) or more persons within a radius of five hundred feet 500 ft.) from, any portion of the subject property; (5) Daytime care; (6) Eating and drinking establishments, except a drive-through operation shall not be permitted; City of Washington, D.C. | Title 11 - Zoning SUBTITLE U, CHAPTER 5-12 (7) Emergency shelter for not more than four (4) persons, not including resident supervisors or staff and their families;
MU-14
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
58ConditionalSubtitle U §507.1(a)(7)
to fifteen (15) persons, not including resident supervisors or staff and their families, provided there shall be no property containing an existing community residence facility for eight (8) or more persons within a radius of five hundred feet 500 ft.) from, any portion of the subject property; (5) Daytime care; (6) Eating and drinking establishments, except a drive-through operation shall not be permitted; City of Washington, D.C. | Title 11 - Zoning SUBTITLE U, CHAPTER 5-12 (7) Emergency shelter for not more than four (4) persons, not including resident supervisors or staff and their families;

Emergency shelter (5–25 persons)

Allowed only with a discretionary approval in 17 districts

These require a hearing or an approval from the District. They are not a “no”, and they are not a “yes” either.

DistrictProperties loadedCodeWhat says so
MU-1
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
1ConditionalSubtitle U §504.1(c)
Youth Rehabilitation Home, Adult Rehabilitation Home for one (1) to twenty (20) persons, not including resident supervisors or staff and their families, subject to the following conditions: (1) There shall be no other property containing a youth rehabilitation home or adult rehabilitation home for seven (7) or more persons in the same square; (2) There shall be no other property containing a youth rehabilitation home or adult rehabilitation home for seven (7) or more persons within a radius of five hundred feet (500 ft.) from any portion of the subject property; (3) There shall be adequate, appropriately located, and screened off-street parking to provide for the needs of occupants, employees, and visitors to the facility; (4) The proposed facility shall meet all applicable code and licensing requirements; (5) The facility shall not have an adverse impact on the neighborhood because of traffic, noise, operations, or the number of similar facilities in the area; and (6) The Board of Zoning Adjustment may approve more than one (1) community- based institutional facility in a square or within five hundred feet (500 ft.) only City of Washington, D.C. | Title 11 - Zoning SUBTITLE U, CHAPTER 5-3 when the Board of Zoning Adjustment finds that the cumulative effect of the facilities will not have an adverse impact on the neighborhood because of traffic, noise, or operations;
MU-1/DC
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
176ConditionalSubtitle U §504.1(c)
Youth Rehabilitation Home, Adult Rehabilitation Home for one (1) to twenty (20) persons, not including resident supervisors or staff and their families, subject to the following conditions: (1) There shall be no other property containing a youth rehabilitation home or adult rehabilitation home for seven (7) or more persons in the same square; (2) There shall be no other property containing a youth rehabilitation home or adult rehabilitation home for seven (7) or more persons within a radius of five hundred feet (500 ft.) from any portion of the subject property; (3) There shall be adequate, appropriately located, and screened off-street parking to provide for the needs of occupants, employees, and visitors to the facility; (4) The proposed facility shall meet all applicable code and licensing requirements; (5) The facility shall not have an adverse impact on the neighborhood because of traffic, noise, operations, or the number of similar facilities in the area; and (6) The Board of Zoning Adjustment may approve more than one (1) community- based institutional facility in a square or within five hundred feet (500 ft.) only City of Washington, D.C. | Title 11 - Zoning SUBTITLE U, CHAPTER 5-3 when the Board of Zoning Adjustment finds that the cumulative effect of the facilities will not have an adverse impact on the neighborhood because of traffic, noise, or operations;
MU-2
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
99ConditionalSubtitle U §504.1(c)
Youth Rehabilitation Home, Adult Rehabilitation Home for one (1) to twenty (20) persons, not including resident supervisors or staff and their families, subject to the following conditions: (1) There shall be no other property containing a youth rehabilitation home or adult rehabilitation home for seven (7) or more persons in the same square; (2) There shall be no other property containing a youth rehabilitation home or adult rehabilitation home for seven (7) or more persons within a radius of five hundred feet (500 ft.) from any portion of the subject property; (3) There shall be adequate, appropriately located, and screened off-street parking to provide for the needs of occupants, employees, and visitors to the facility; (4) The proposed facility shall meet all applicable code and licensing requirements; (5) The facility shall not have an adverse impact on the neighborhood because of traffic, noise, operations, or the number of similar facilities in the area; and (6) The Board of Zoning Adjustment may approve more than one (1) community- based institutional facility in a square or within five hundred feet (500 ft.) only City of Washington, D.C. | Title 11 - Zoning SUBTITLE U, CHAPTER 5-3 when the Board of Zoning Adjustment finds that the cumulative effect of the facilities will not have an adverse impact on the neighborhood because of traffic, noise, or operations;
MU-2/DC
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
39ConditionalSubtitle U §504.1(c)
Youth Rehabilitation Home, Adult Rehabilitation Home for one (1) to twenty (20) persons, not including resident supervisors or staff and their families, subject to the following conditions: (1) There shall be no other property containing a youth rehabilitation home or adult rehabilitation home for seven (7) or more persons in the same square; (2) There shall be no other property containing a youth rehabilitation home or adult rehabilitation home for seven (7) or more persons within a radius of five hundred feet (500 ft.) from any portion of the subject property; (3) There shall be adequate, appropriately located, and screened off-street parking to provide for the needs of occupants, employees, and visitors to the facility; (4) The proposed facility shall meet all applicable code and licensing requirements; (5) The facility shall not have an adverse impact on the neighborhood because of traffic, noise, operations, or the number of similar facilities in the area; and (6) The Board of Zoning Adjustment may approve more than one (1) community- based institutional facility in a square or within five hundred feet (500 ft.) only City of Washington, D.C. | Title 11 - Zoning SUBTITLE U, CHAPTER 5-3 when the Board of Zoning Adjustment finds that the cumulative effect of the facilities will not have an adverse impact on the neighborhood because of traffic, noise, or operations;
NMU-4/CC1
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
33ConditionalSubtitle H §6005.1(e)
Emergency shelter uses for up to fifteen (15) persons, not including resident supervisors or staff and their families, subject to the following conditions: (1) There shall be no other property containing an emergency shelter for seven (7) or more persons in the same square, or within a radius of five hundred feet (500 ft.) from any portion of the property; (2) There shall be adequate, appropriately located, and screened off-street parking to provide for the needs of occupants, employees, and visitors to the facility; (3) The proposed shelter shall meet all applicable code and licensing requirements; (4) The shelter shall not have an adverse impact on the neighborhood because of traffic, noise, operations, or the number of similar facilities in the area; and (5) The Board of Zoning Adjustment may approve more than one (1) Emergency Shelter use in a square or within five hundred feet (500 ft.) from the property only when the Board of Zoning Adjustment finds that the cumulative effect of the shelters will not have an adverse impact on the neighborhood because of traffic, noise, or operations;
NMU-4/CC2
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
1ConditionalSubtitle H §6005.1(e)
Emergency shelter uses for up to fifteen (15) persons, not including resident supervisors or staff and their families, subject to the following conditions: (1) There shall be no other property containing an emergency shelter for seven (7) or more persons in the same square, or within a radius of five hundred feet (500 ft.) from any portion of the property; (2) There shall be adequate, appropriately located, and screened off-street parking to provide for the needs of occupants, employees, and visitors to the facility; (3) The proposed shelter shall meet all applicable code and licensing requirements; (4) The shelter shall not have an adverse impact on the neighborhood because of traffic, noise, operations, or the number of similar facilities in the area; and (5) The Board of Zoning Adjustment may approve more than one (1) Emergency Shelter use in a square or within five hundred feet (500 ft.) from the property only when the Board of Zoning Adjustment finds that the cumulative effect of the shelters will not have an adverse impact on the neighborhood because of traffic, noise, or operations;
NMU-4/CP
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
59ConditionalSubtitle H §6005.1(e)
Emergency shelter uses for up to fifteen (15) persons, not including resident supervisors or staff and their families, subject to the following conditions: (1) There shall be no other property containing an emergency shelter for seven (7) or more persons in the same square, or within a radius of five hundred feet (500 ft.) from any portion of the property; (2) There shall be adequate, appropriately located, and screened off-street parking to provide for the needs of occupants, employees, and visitors to the facility; (3) The proposed shelter shall meet all applicable code and licensing requirements; (4) The shelter shall not have an adverse impact on the neighborhood because of traffic, noise, operations, or the number of similar facilities in the area; and (5) The Board of Zoning Adjustment may approve more than one (1) Emergency Shelter use in a square or within five hundred feet (500 ft.) from the property only when the Board of Zoning Adjustment finds that the cumulative effect of the shelters will not have an adverse impact on the neighborhood because of traffic, noise, or operations;
NMU-4/GA
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
96ConditionalSubtitle H §6005.1(e)
Emergency shelter uses for up to fifteen (15) persons, not including resident supervisors or staff and their families, subject to the following conditions: (1) There shall be no other property containing an emergency shelter for seven (7) or more persons in the same square, or within a radius of five hundred feet (500 ft.) from any portion of the property; (2) There shall be adequate, appropriately located, and screened off-street parking to provide for the needs of occupants, employees, and visitors to the facility; (3) The proposed shelter shall meet all applicable code and licensing requirements; (4) The shelter shall not have an adverse impact on the neighborhood because of traffic, noise, operations, or the number of similar facilities in the area; and (5) The Board of Zoning Adjustment may approve more than one (1) Emergency Shelter use in a square or within five hundred feet (500 ft.) from the property only when the Board of Zoning Adjustment finds that the cumulative effect of the shelters will not have an adverse impact on the neighborhood because of traffic, noise, or operations;
NMU-4/H-A
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
94ConditionalSubtitle H §6005.1(e)
Emergency shelter uses for up to fifteen (15) persons, not including resident supervisors or staff and their families, subject to the following conditions: (1) There shall be no other property containing an emergency shelter for seven (7) or more persons in the same square, or within a radius of five hundred feet (500 ft.) from any portion of the property; (2) There shall be adequate, appropriately located, and screened off-street parking to provide for the needs of occupants, employees, and visitors to the facility; (3) The proposed shelter shall meet all applicable code and licensing requirements; (4) The shelter shall not have an adverse impact on the neighborhood because of traffic, noise, operations, or the number of similar facilities in the area; and (5) The Board of Zoning Adjustment may approve more than one (1) Emergency Shelter use in a square or within five hundred feet (500 ft.) from the property only when the Board of Zoning Adjustment finds that the cumulative effect of the shelters will not have an adverse impact on the neighborhood because of traffic, noise, or operations;
NMU-4/H-H
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
36ConditionalSubtitle H §6005.1(e)
Emergency shelter uses for up to fifteen (15) persons, not including resident supervisors or staff and their families, subject to the following conditions: (1) There shall be no other property containing an emergency shelter for seven (7) or more persons in the same square, or within a radius of five hundred feet (500 ft.) from any portion of the property; (2) There shall be adequate, appropriately located, and screened off-street parking to provide for the needs of occupants, employees, and visitors to the facility; (3) The proposed shelter shall meet all applicable code and licensing requirements; (4) The shelter shall not have an adverse impact on the neighborhood because of traffic, noise, operations, or the number of similar facilities in the area; and (5) The Board of Zoning Adjustment may approve more than one (1) Emergency Shelter use in a square or within five hundred feet (500 ft.) from the property only when the Board of Zoning Adjustment finds that the cumulative effect of the shelters will not have an adverse impact on the neighborhood because of traffic, noise, or operations;
NMU-4/H-R
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
62ConditionalSubtitle H §6005.1(e)
Emergency shelter uses for up to fifteen (15) persons, not including resident supervisors or staff and their families, subject to the following conditions: (1) There shall be no other property containing an emergency shelter for seven (7) or more persons in the same square, or within a radius of five hundred feet (500 ft.) from any portion of the property; (2) There shall be adequate, appropriately located, and screened off-street parking to provide for the needs of occupants, employees, and visitors to the facility; (3) The proposed shelter shall meet all applicable code and licensing requirements; (4) The shelter shall not have an adverse impact on the neighborhood because of traffic, noise, operations, or the number of similar facilities in the area; and (5) The Board of Zoning Adjustment may approve more than one (1) Emergency Shelter use in a square or within five hundred feet (500 ft.) from the property only when the Board of Zoning Adjustment finds that the cumulative effect of the shelters will not have an adverse impact on the neighborhood because of traffic, noise, or operations;
NMU-4/TK
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
33ConditionalSubtitle H §6005.1(e)
Emergency shelter uses for up to fifteen (15) persons, not including resident supervisors or staff and their families, subject to the following conditions: (1) There shall be no other property containing an emergency shelter for seven (7) or more persons in the same square, or within a radius of five hundred feet (500 ft.) from any portion of the property; (2) There shall be adequate, appropriately located, and screened off-street parking to provide for the needs of occupants, employees, and visitors to the facility; (3) The proposed shelter shall meet all applicable code and licensing requirements; (4) The shelter shall not have an adverse impact on the neighborhood because of traffic, noise, operations, or the number of similar facilities in the area; and (5) The Board of Zoning Adjustment may approve more than one (1) Emergency Shelter use in a square or within five hundred feet (500 ft.) from the property only when the Board of Zoning Adjustment finds that the cumulative effect of the shelters will not have an adverse impact on the neighborhood because of traffic, noise, or operations;
NMU-4/WP
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
10ConditionalSubtitle H §6005.1(e)
Emergency shelter uses for up to fifteen (15) persons, not including resident supervisors or staff and their families, subject to the following conditions: (1) There shall be no other property containing an emergency shelter for seven (7) or more persons in the same square, or within a radius of five hundred feet (500 ft.) from any portion of the property; (2) There shall be adequate, appropriately located, and screened off-street parking to provide for the needs of occupants, employees, and visitors to the facility; (3) The proposed shelter shall meet all applicable code and licensing requirements; (4) The shelter shall not have an adverse impact on the neighborhood because of traffic, noise, operations, or the number of similar facilities in the area; and (5) The Board of Zoning Adjustment may approve more than one (1) Emergency Shelter use in a square or within five hundred feet (500 ft.) from the property only when the Board of Zoning Adjustment finds that the cumulative effect of the shelters will not have an adverse impact on the neighborhood because of traffic, noise, or operations;
NMU-5A/H-H
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
16ConditionalSubtitle H §6005.1(e)
Emergency shelter uses for up to fifteen (15) persons, not including resident supervisors or staff and their families, subject to the following conditions: (1) There shall be no other property containing an emergency shelter for seven (7) or more persons in the same square, or within a radius of five hundred feet (500 ft.) from any portion of the property; (2) There shall be adequate, appropriately located, and screened off-street parking to provide for the needs of occupants, employees, and visitors to the facility; (3) The proposed shelter shall meet all applicable code and licensing requirements; (4) The shelter shall not have an adverse impact on the neighborhood because of traffic, noise, operations, or the number of similar facilities in the area; and (5) The Board of Zoning Adjustment may approve more than one (1) Emergency Shelter use in a square or within five hundred feet (500 ft.) from the property only when the Board of Zoning Adjustment finds that the cumulative effect of the shelters will not have an adverse impact on the neighborhood because of traffic, noise, or operations;
NMU-5A/H-R
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
13ConditionalSubtitle H §6005.1(e)
Emergency shelter uses for up to fifteen (15) persons, not including resident supervisors or staff and their families, subject to the following conditions: (1) There shall be no other property containing an emergency shelter for seven (7) or more persons in the same square, or within a radius of five hundred feet (500 ft.) from any portion of the property; (2) There shall be adequate, appropriately located, and screened off-street parking to provide for the needs of occupants, employees, and visitors to the facility; (3) The proposed shelter shall meet all applicable code and licensing requirements; (4) The shelter shall not have an adverse impact on the neighborhood because of traffic, noise, operations, or the number of similar facilities in the area; and (5) The Board of Zoning Adjustment may approve more than one (1) Emergency Shelter use in a square or within five hundred feet (500 ft.) from the property only when the Board of Zoning Adjustment finds that the cumulative effect of the shelters will not have an adverse impact on the neighborhood because of traffic, noise, or operations;
NMU-5A/PAE
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
33ConditionalSubtitle H §6005.1(e)
Emergency shelter uses for up to fifteen (15) persons, not including resident supervisors or staff and their families, subject to the following conditions: (1) There shall be no other property containing an emergency shelter for seven (7) or more persons in the same square, or within a radius of five hundred feet (500 ft.) from any portion of the property; (2) There shall be adequate, appropriately located, and screened off-street parking to provide for the needs of occupants, employees, and visitors to the facility; (3) The proposed shelter shall meet all applicable code and licensing requirements; (4) The shelter shall not have an adverse impact on the neighborhood because of traffic, noise, operations, or the number of similar facilities in the area; and (5) The Board of Zoning Adjustment may approve more than one (1) Emergency Shelter use in a square or within five hundred feet (500 ft.) from the property only when the Board of Zoning Adjustment finds that the cumulative effect of the shelters will not have an adverse impact on the neighborhood because of traffic, noise, or operations;
NMU-6B/H-H
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
2ConditionalSubtitle H §6005.1(e)
Emergency shelter uses for up to fifteen (15) persons, not including resident supervisors or staff and their families, subject to the following conditions: (1) There shall be no other property containing an emergency shelter for seven (7) or more persons in the same square, or within a radius of five hundred feet (500 ft.) from any portion of the property; (2) There shall be adequate, appropriately located, and screened off-street parking to provide for the needs of occupants, employees, and visitors to the facility; (3) The proposed shelter shall meet all applicable code and licensing requirements; (4) The shelter shall not have an adverse impact on the neighborhood because of traffic, noise, operations, or the number of similar facilities in the area; and (5) The Board of Zoning Adjustment may approve more than one (1) Emergency Shelter use in a square or within five hundred feet (500 ft.) from the property only when the Board of Zoning Adjustment finds that the cumulative effect of the shelters will not have an adverse impact on the neighborhood because of traffic, noise, or operations;

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This answer is good through April 3, 2026 — that is the date the ordinance we hold runs to, as published by DC Office of Documents and Administrative Issuances. The District has since adopted something newer that we have not taken in yet, so parts of this may already be out of date.

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