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

Where can I put an entertainment, assembly, and performing arts in Washington, D.C.?

“entertainment, assembly, and performing arts” matches 4 uses this ordinance names separately. We do not choose between them — they can have different answers, so every one is shown.

Arts, design, and creation; entertainment/assembly/performing arts; lodging (combined max 1.0 FAR in SEFC-2/3)

Allowed only with a discretionary approval in 2 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
SEFC-2
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
14ConditionalSubtitle K §238.3(b)
Uses within the arts, design, and creation; entertainment, assembly, and performing arts; and the lodging use groups, subject to an overall cap within the SEFC-3 and SEFC-2 zones of 1.0 FAR maximum;
SEFC-3
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
1ConditionalSubtitle K §238.3(b)
Uses within the arts, design, and creation; entertainment, assembly, and performing arts; and the lodging use groups, subject to an overall cap within the SEFC-3 and SEFC-2 zones of 1.0 FAR maximum;

Entertainment, Assembly, and Performing Arts

Allowed by right in 2 districts

DistrictProperties loadedCodeWhat says so
BF-2C
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
1AllowedSubtitle K §1113.3(d)
Entertainment, Assembly, and Performing Arts;
BF-2D
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
4AllowedSubtitle K §1113.3(d)
Entertainment, Assembly, and Performing Arts;

Entertainment, assembly, and performing arts

Allowed by right in 20 districts

DistrictProperties loadedCodeWhat says so
HE-1
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
9AllowedSubtitle K §410.3(h)
Entertainment, assembly, and performing arts;
HE-2
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
5AllowedSubtitle K §410.3(h)
Entertainment, assembly, and performing arts;
HE-3
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
1AllowedSubtitle K §410.3(h)
Entertainment, assembly, and performing arts;
HE-4
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
no parcels loadedAllowedSubtitle K §410.3(h)
Entertainment, assembly, and performing arts;
StE-1
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
1AllowedSubtitle K §612.1(k)
Entertainment, assembly, and performing arts;
StE-11
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
1AllowedSubtitle K §612.1(k)
Entertainment, assembly, and performing arts;
StE-12
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
no parcels loadedAllowedSubtitle K §612.1(k)
Entertainment, assembly, and performing arts;
StE-13
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
no parcels loadedAllowedSubtitle K §612.1(k)
Entertainment, assembly, and performing arts;
StE-15
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
2AllowedSubtitle K §612.1(k)
Entertainment, assembly, and performing arts;
StE-16
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
no parcels loadedAllowedSubtitle K §612.1(k)
Entertainment, assembly, and performing arts;
StE-17
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
2AllowedSubtitle K §612.1(k)
Entertainment, assembly, and performing arts;
StE-18
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
no parcels loadedAllowedSubtitle K §612.1(k)
Entertainment, assembly, and performing arts;
StE-2
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
2AllowedSubtitle K §612.1(k)
Entertainment, assembly, and performing arts;
StE-3
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
1AllowedSubtitle K §612.1(k)
Entertainment, assembly, and performing arts;
StE-4
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
2AllowedSubtitle K §612.1(k)
Entertainment, assembly, and performing arts;
StE-5
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
1AllowedSubtitle K §612.1(k)
Entertainment, assembly, and performing arts;
StE-6
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
1AllowedSubtitle K §612.1(k)
Entertainment, assembly, and performing arts;
StE-7
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
1AllowedSubtitle K §612.1(k)
Entertainment, assembly, and performing arts;
StE-8
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
1AllowedSubtitle K §612.1(k)
Entertainment, assembly, and performing arts;
StE-9
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
1AllowedSubtitle K §612.1(k)
Entertainment, assembly, and performing arts;

Allowed only with a discretionary approval in 3 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
SEFC-1
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
no parcels loadedConditionalSubtitle K §237.4(k)
Entertainment, assembly, and performing arts;
SEFC-1A
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
4ConditionalSubtitle K §237.4(k)
Entertainment, assembly, and performing arts;
SEFC-1B
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
24ConditionalSubtitle K §237.4(k)
Entertainment, assembly, and performing arts;

Entertainment, assembly, and performing arts uses

Allowed by right in 28 districts

DistrictProperties loadedCodeWhat says so
ARTS-1
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
27AllowedSubtitle U §512.1(g)
Entertainment, assembly, and performing arts uses, except that a bowling alley shall be subject to the following conditions: (1) The use shall not be within twenty-five feet (25 ft.) of a residentially zoned property unless separated by a street or alley; and (2) Soundproofing to the extent deemed necessary for the protection of adjoining and nearby property shall be required;
ARTS-2
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
238AllowedSubtitle U §512.1(g)
Entertainment, assembly, and performing arts uses, except that a bowling alley shall be subject to the following conditions: (1) The use shall not be within twenty-five feet (25 ft.) of a residentially zoned property unless separated by a street or alley; and (2) Soundproofing to the extent deemed necessary for the protection of adjoining and nearby property shall be required;
ARTS-3
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
223AllowedSubtitle U §510.1(i)
Entertainment, assembly, and performing arts uses shall be permitted as a matter of right, except for a bowling alley;
BF-1A
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
10AllowedSubtitle U §512.1(g)
Entertainment, assembly, and performing arts uses, except that a bowling alley shall be subject to the following conditions: (1) The use shall not be within twenty-five feet (25 ft.) of a residentially zoned property unless separated by a street or alley; and (2) Soundproofing to the extent deemed necessary for the protection of adjoining and nearby property shall be required;
BF-1B
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
5AllowedSubtitle U §512.1(g)
Entertainment, assembly, and performing arts uses, except that a bowling alley shall be subject to the following conditions: (1) The use shall not be within twenty-five feet (25 ft.) of a residentially zoned property unless separated by a street or alley; and (2) Soundproofing to the extent deemed necessary for the protection of adjoining and nearby property shall be required;
CG-2
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
12AllowedSubtitle U §512.1(g)
Entertainment, assembly, and performing arts uses, except that a bowling alley shall be subject to the following conditions: (1) The use shall not be within twenty-five feet (25 ft.) of a residentially zoned property unless separated by a street or alley; and (2) Soundproofing to the extent deemed necessary for the protection of adjoining and nearby property shall be required;
CG-3
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
1AllowedSubtitle U §510.1(i)
Entertainment, assembly, and performing arts uses shall be permitted as a matter of right, except for a bowling alley;
CG-4
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
130AllowedSubtitle U §510.1(i)
Entertainment, assembly, and performing arts uses shall be permitted as a matter of right, except for a bowling alley;
MU-3
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
no parcels loadedAllowedSubtitle U §510.1(i)
Entertainment, assembly, and performing arts uses shall be permitted as a matter of right, except for a bowling alley;
MU-3A
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
642AllowedSubtitle U §510.1(i)
Entertainment, assembly, and performing arts uses shall be permitted as a matter of right, except for a bowling alley;
MU-3B
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
1AllowedSubtitle U §510.1(i)
Entertainment, assembly, and performing arts uses shall be permitted as a matter of right, except for a bowling alley;
MU-4
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
3,698AllowedSubtitle U §512.1(g)
Entertainment, assembly, and performing arts uses, except that a bowling alley shall be subject to the following conditions: (1) The use shall not be within twenty-five feet (25 ft.) of a residentially zoned property unless separated by a street or alley; and (2) Soundproofing to the extent deemed necessary for the protection of adjoining and nearby property shall be required;
MU-4/CAP
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
38AllowedSubtitle U §512.1(g)
Entertainment, assembly, and performing arts uses, except that a bowling alley shall be subject to the following conditions: (1) The use shall not be within twenty-five feet (25 ft.) of a residentially zoned property unless separated by a street or alley; and (2) Soundproofing to the extent deemed necessary for the protection of adjoining and nearby property shall be required;
MU-4/CAP/CHC
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
94AllowedSubtitle U §512.1(g)
Entertainment, assembly, and performing arts uses, except that a bowling alley shall be subject to the following conditions: (1) The use shall not be within twenty-five feet (25 ft.) of a residentially zoned property unless separated by a street or alley; and (2) Soundproofing to the extent deemed necessary for the protection of adjoining and nearby property shall be required;
MU-4/CHC
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
211AllowedSubtitle U §512.1(g)
Entertainment, assembly, and performing arts uses, except that a bowling alley shall be subject to the following conditions: (1) The use shall not be within twenty-five feet (25 ft.) of a residentially zoned property unless separated by a street or alley; and (2) Soundproofing to the extent deemed necessary for the protection of adjoining and nearby property shall be required;
MU-4/DC
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
30AllowedSubtitle U §512.1(g)
Entertainment, assembly, and performing arts uses, except that a bowling alley shall be subject to the following conditions: (1) The use shall not be within twenty-five feet (25 ft.) of a residentially zoned property unless separated by a street or alley; and (2) Soundproofing to the extent deemed necessary for the protection of adjoining and nearby property shall be required;
MU-4/NO
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
52AllowedSubtitle U §512.1(g)
Entertainment, assembly, and performing arts uses, except that a bowling alley shall be subject to the following conditions: (1) The use shall not be within twenty-five feet (25 ft.) of a residentially zoned property unless separated by a street or alley; and (2) Soundproofing to the extent deemed necessary for the protection of adjoining and nearby property shall be required;
MU-4/RC
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
4AllowedSubtitle U §512.1(g)
Entertainment, assembly, and performing arts uses, except that a bowling alley shall be subject to the following conditions: (1) The use shall not be within twenty-five feet (25 ft.) of a residentially zoned property unless separated by a street or alley; and (2) Soundproofing to the extent deemed necessary for the protection of adjoining and nearby property shall be required;
MU-5
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
no parcels loadedAllowedSubtitle U §512.1(g)
Entertainment, assembly, and performing arts uses, except that a bowling alley shall be subject to the following conditions: (1) The use shall not be within twenty-five feet (25 ft.) of a residentially zoned property unless separated by a street or alley; and (2) Soundproofing to the extent deemed necessary for the protection of adjoining and nearby property shall be required;
MU-5A
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
489AllowedSubtitle U §512.1(g)
Entertainment, assembly, and performing arts uses, except that a bowling alley shall be subject to the following conditions: (1) The use shall not be within twenty-five feet (25 ft.) of a residentially zoned property unless separated by a street or alley; and (2) Soundproofing to the extent deemed necessary for the protection of adjoining and nearby property shall be required;
MU-5A/DC
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
54AllowedSubtitle U §512.1(g)
Entertainment, assembly, and performing arts uses, except that a bowling alley shall be subject to the following conditions: (1) The use shall not be within twenty-five feet (25 ft.) of a residentially zoned property unless separated by a street or alley; and (2) Soundproofing to the extent deemed necessary for the protection of adjoining and nearby property shall be required;
MU-5A/RC
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
9AllowedSubtitle U §512.1(g)
Entertainment, assembly, and performing arts uses, except that a bowling alley shall be subject to the following conditions: (1) The use shall not be within twenty-five feet (25 ft.) of a residentially zoned property unless separated by a street or alley; and (2) Soundproofing to the extent deemed necessary for the protection of adjoining and nearby property shall be required;
MU-5B
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
34AllowedSubtitle U §512.1(g)
Entertainment, assembly, and performing arts uses, except that a bowling alley shall be subject to the following conditions: (1) The use shall not be within twenty-five feet (25 ft.) of a residentially zoned property unless separated by a street or alley; and (2) Soundproofing to the extent deemed necessary for the protection of adjoining and nearby property shall be required;
MU-6A
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
no parcels loadedAllowedSubtitle U §510.1(i)
Entertainment, assembly, and performing arts uses shall be permitted as a matter of right, except for a bowling alley;
MU-6B
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
69AllowedSubtitle U §510.1(i)
Entertainment, assembly, and performing arts uses shall be permitted as a matter of right, except for a bowling alley;
MU-6B/DC
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
21AllowedSubtitle U §510.1(i)
Entertainment, assembly, and performing arts uses shall be permitted as a matter of right, except for a bowling alley;
MU-7A
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
2AllowedSubtitle U §510.1(i)
Entertainment, assembly, and performing arts uses shall be permitted as a matter of right, except for a bowling alley;
MU-7B
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
490AllowedSubtitle U §510.1(i)
Entertainment, assembly, and performing arts uses shall be permitted as a matter of right, except for a bowling alley;

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
PDR-1
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
935ConditionalSubtitle U §802.1(e)
Entertainment, assembly, and performing arts uses, subject to the following conditions: (1) The use shall be located and designed so that it is not likely to become objectionable to neighboring property because of noise, traffic, parking, loading, number of attendees, waste collection, or other objectionable conditions; (2) The property shall not abut a residential use or residential zone; City of Washington, D.C. | Title 11 - Zoning SUBTITLE U, CHAPTER 8-8 (3) There is no property containing a live performance, night club or dance venue either in the same square or within a radius of one thousand (1,000 ft.) from any portion of the subject property; (4) External performances or external amplification shall not be permitted; and (5) The Board of Zoning Adjustment may impose additional requirements as it deems necessary to protect adjacent or nearby residential properties, including but not limited to: (A) Soundproofing; (B) Limitations on the hours of operation; and (C) Expiration on the duration of the special exception approval;
PDR-1/CAP
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
16ConditionalSubtitle U §802.1(e)
Entertainment, assembly, and performing arts uses, subject to the following conditions: (1) The use shall be located and designed so that it is not likely to become objectionable to neighboring property because of noise, traffic, parking, loading, number of attendees, waste collection, or other objectionable conditions; (2) The property shall not abut a residential use or residential zone; City of Washington, D.C. | Title 11 - Zoning SUBTITLE U, CHAPTER 8-8 (3) There is no property containing a live performance, night club or dance venue either in the same square or within a radius of one thousand (1,000 ft.) from any portion of the subject property; (4) External performances or external amplification shall not be permitted; and (5) The Board of Zoning Adjustment may impose additional requirements as it deems necessary to protect adjacent or nearby residential properties, including but not limited to: (A) Soundproofing; (B) Limitations on the hours of operation; and (C) Expiration on the duration of the special exception approval;
PDR-1/FT
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
19ConditionalSubtitle U §802.1(e)
Entertainment, assembly, and performing arts uses, subject to the following conditions: (1) The use shall be located and designed so that it is not likely to become objectionable to neighboring property because of noise, traffic, parking, loading, number of attendees, waste collection, or other objectionable conditions; (2) The property shall not abut a residential use or residential zone; City of Washington, D.C. | Title 11 - Zoning SUBTITLE U, CHAPTER 8-8 (3) There is no property containing a live performance, night club or dance venue either in the same square or within a radius of one thousand (1,000 ft.) from any portion of the subject property; (4) External performances or external amplification shall not be permitted; and (5) The Board of Zoning Adjustment may impose additional requirements as it deems necessary to protect adjacent or nearby residential properties, including but not limited to: (A) Soundproofing; (B) Limitations on the hours of operation; and (C) Expiration on the duration of the special exception approval;
PDR-3
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
41ConditionalSubtitle U §802.1(e)
Entertainment, assembly, and performing arts uses, subject to the following conditions: (1) The use shall be located and designed so that it is not likely to become objectionable to neighboring property because of noise, traffic, parking, loading, number of attendees, waste collection, or other objectionable conditions; (2) The property shall not abut a residential use or residential zone; City of Washington, D.C. | Title 11 - Zoning SUBTITLE U, CHAPTER 8-8 (3) There is no property containing a live performance, night club or dance venue either in the same square or within a radius of one thousand (1,000 ft.) from any portion of the subject property; (4) External performances or external amplification shall not be permitted; and (5) The Board of Zoning Adjustment may impose additional requirements as it deems necessary to protect adjacent or nearby residential properties, including but not limited to: (A) Soundproofing; (B) Limitations on the hours of operation; and (C) Expiration on the duration of the special exception approval;
PDR-4
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
165ConditionalSubtitle U §802.1(e)
Entertainment, assembly, and performing arts uses, subject to the following conditions: (1) The use shall be located and designed so that it is not likely to become objectionable to neighboring property because of noise, traffic, parking, loading, number of attendees, waste collection, or other objectionable conditions; (2) The property shall not abut a residential use or residential zone; City of Washington, D.C. | Title 11 - Zoning SUBTITLE U, CHAPTER 8-8 (3) There is no property containing a live performance, night club or dance venue either in the same square or within a radius of one thousand (1,000 ft.) from any portion of the subject property; (4) External performances or external amplification shall not be permitted; and (5) The Board of Zoning Adjustment may impose additional requirements as it deems necessary to protect adjacent or nearby residential properties, including but not limited to: (A) Soundproofing; (B) Limitations on the hours of operation; and (C) Expiration on the duration of the special exception approval;
PDR-4/FT
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
33ConditionalSubtitle U §802.1(e)
Entertainment, assembly, and performing arts uses, subject to the following conditions: (1) The use shall be located and designed so that it is not likely to become objectionable to neighboring property because of noise, traffic, parking, loading, number of attendees, waste collection, or other objectionable conditions; (2) The property shall not abut a residential use or residential zone; City of Washington, D.C. | Title 11 - Zoning SUBTITLE U, CHAPTER 8-8 (3) There is no property containing a live performance, night club or dance venue either in the same square or within a radius of one thousand (1,000 ft.) from any portion of the subject property; (4) External performances or external amplification shall not be permitted; and (5) The Board of Zoning Adjustment may impose additional requirements as it deems necessary to protect adjacent or nearby residential properties, including but not limited to: (A) Soundproofing; (B) Limitations on the hours of operation; and (C) Expiration on the duration of the special exception approval;

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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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