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

Where can I put a hotel in Washington, D.C.?

“hotel” matches 6 uses this ordinance names separately. We do not choose between them — they can have different answers, so every one is shown.

Commercial or nonresidential adjunct (in a hotel or apartment house)

Allowed only with a discretionary approval in 14 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-1
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
17ConditionalSubtitle U §420.1(e)
Commercial adjuncts to a hotel containing less than one hundred (100) rooms or suites subject to the following conditions: City of Washington, D.C. | Title 11 - Zoning SUBTITLE U, CHAPTER 4-4 (1) The total area within the hotel devoted to function rooms, exhibit space, and commercial adjuncts shall not be increased; (2) There shall be no direct entrance to the adjunct from the outside of the building; (3) No part of the adjunct or the entrance to the adjunct shall be visible from a sidewalk; (4) No sign or display indicating the existence of the adjunct shall be visible from the outside of the building; and (5) The hotel shall be of sufficient size and character so that the financial support of the requested adjunct may be expected to be furnished entirely or substantially by the hotel guests;
RA-1
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
8,150ConditionalSubtitle U §420.1(e)
Commercial adjuncts to a hotel containing less than one hundred (100) rooms or suites subject to the following conditions: City of Washington, D.C. | Title 11 - Zoning SUBTITLE U, CHAPTER 4-4 (1) The total area within the hotel devoted to function rooms, exhibit space, and commercial adjuncts shall not be increased; (2) There shall be no direct entrance to the adjunct from the outside of the building; (3) No part of the adjunct or the entrance to the adjunct shall be visible from a sidewalk; (4) No sign or display indicating the existence of the adjunct shall be visible from the outside of the building; and (5) The hotel shall be of sufficient size and character so that the financial support of the requested adjunct may be expected to be furnished entirely or substantially by the hotel guests;
RA-1/NO
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
9ConditionalSubtitle U §420.1(e)
Commercial adjuncts to a hotel containing less than one hundred (100) rooms or suites subject to the following conditions: City of Washington, D.C. | Title 11 - Zoning SUBTITLE U, CHAPTER 4-4 (1) The total area within the hotel devoted to function rooms, exhibit space, and commercial adjuncts shall not be increased; (2) There shall be no direct entrance to the adjunct from the outside of the building; (3) No part of the adjunct or the entrance to the adjunct shall be visible from a sidewalk; (4) No sign or display indicating the existence of the adjunct shall be visible from the outside of the building; and (5) The hotel shall be of sufficient size and character so that the financial support of the requested adjunct may be expected to be furnished entirely or substantially by the hotel guests;
RA-2
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
5,089ConditionalSubtitle U §420.1(e)
Commercial adjuncts to a hotel containing less than one hundred (100) rooms or suites subject to the following conditions: City of Washington, D.C. | Title 11 - Zoning SUBTITLE U, CHAPTER 4-4 (1) The total area within the hotel devoted to function rooms, exhibit space, and commercial adjuncts shall not be increased; (2) There shall be no direct entrance to the adjunct from the outside of the building; (3) No part of the adjunct or the entrance to the adjunct shall be visible from a sidewalk; (4) No sign or display indicating the existence of the adjunct shall be visible from the outside of the building; and (5) The hotel shall be of sufficient size and character so that the financial support of the requested adjunct may be expected to be furnished entirely or substantially by the hotel guests;
RA-2/CAP
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
117ConditionalSubtitle U §420.1(e)
Commercial adjuncts to a hotel containing less than one hundred (100) rooms or suites subject to the following conditions: City of Washington, D.C. | Title 11 - Zoning SUBTITLE U, CHAPTER 4-4 (1) The total area within the hotel devoted to function rooms, exhibit space, and commercial adjuncts shall not be increased; (2) There shall be no direct entrance to the adjunct from the outside of the building; (3) No part of the adjunct or the entrance to the adjunct shall be visible from a sidewalk; (4) No sign or display indicating the existence of the adjunct shall be visible from the outside of the building; and (5) The hotel shall be of sufficient size and character so that the financial support of the requested adjunct may be expected to be furnished entirely or substantially by the hotel guests;
RA-2/DC
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
1,146ConditionalSubtitle U §420.1(e)
Commercial adjuncts to a hotel containing less than one hundred (100) rooms or suites subject to the following conditions: City of Washington, D.C. | Title 11 - Zoning SUBTITLE U, CHAPTER 4-4 (1) The total area within the hotel devoted to function rooms, exhibit space, and commercial adjuncts shall not be increased; (2) There shall be no direct entrance to the adjunct from the outside of the building; (3) No part of the adjunct or the entrance to the adjunct shall be visible from a sidewalk; (4) No sign or display indicating the existence of the adjunct shall be visible from the outside of the building; and (5) The hotel shall be of sufficient size and character so that the financial support of the requested adjunct may be expected to be furnished entirely or substantially by the hotel guests;
RA-2/RC
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
7ConditionalSubtitle U §420.1(e)
Commercial adjuncts to a hotel containing less than one hundred (100) rooms or suites subject to the following conditions: City of Washington, D.C. | Title 11 - Zoning SUBTITLE U, CHAPTER 4-4 (1) The total area within the hotel devoted to function rooms, exhibit space, and commercial adjuncts shall not be increased; (2) There shall be no direct entrance to the adjunct from the outside of the building; (3) No part of the adjunct or the entrance to the adjunct shall be visible from a sidewalk; (4) No sign or display indicating the existence of the adjunct shall be visible from the outside of the building; and (5) The hotel shall be of sufficient size and character so that the financial support of the requested adjunct may be expected to be furnished entirely or substantially by the hotel guests;
RA-3
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
86ConditionalSubtitle U §420.1(e)
Commercial adjuncts to a hotel containing less than one hundred (100) rooms or suites subject to the following conditions: City of Washington, D.C. | Title 11 - Zoning SUBTITLE U, CHAPTER 4-4 (1) The total area within the hotel devoted to function rooms, exhibit space, and commercial adjuncts shall not be increased; (2) There shall be no direct entrance to the adjunct from the outside of the building; (3) No part of the adjunct or the entrance to the adjunct shall be visible from a sidewalk; (4) No sign or display indicating the existence of the adjunct shall be visible from the outside of the building; and (5) The hotel shall be of sufficient size and character so that the financial support of the requested adjunct may be expected to be furnished entirely or substantially by the hotel guests;
RA-4
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
1,178ConditionalSubtitle U §420.1(e)
Commercial adjuncts to a hotel containing less than one hundred (100) rooms or suites subject to the following conditions: City of Washington, D.C. | Title 11 - Zoning SUBTITLE U, CHAPTER 4-4 (1) The total area within the hotel devoted to function rooms, exhibit space, and commercial adjuncts shall not be increased; (2) There shall be no direct entrance to the adjunct from the outside of the building; (3) No part of the adjunct or the entrance to the adjunct shall be visible from a sidewalk; (4) No sign or display indicating the existence of the adjunct shall be visible from the outside of the building; and (5) The hotel shall be of sufficient size and character so that the financial support of the requested adjunct may be expected to be furnished entirely or substantially by the hotel guests;
RA-4/DC
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
47ConditionalSubtitle U §420.1(e)
Commercial adjuncts to a hotel containing less than one hundred (100) rooms or suites subject to the following conditions: City of Washington, D.C. | Title 11 - Zoning SUBTITLE U, CHAPTER 4-4 (1) The total area within the hotel devoted to function rooms, exhibit space, and commercial adjuncts shall not be increased; (2) There shall be no direct entrance to the adjunct from the outside of the building; (3) No part of the adjunct or the entrance to the adjunct shall be visible from a sidewalk; (4) No sign or display indicating the existence of the adjunct shall be visible from the outside of the building; and (5) The hotel shall be of sufficient size and character so that the financial support of the requested adjunct may be expected to be furnished entirely or substantially by the hotel guests;
RA-5
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
188ConditionalSubtitle U §420.1(e)
Commercial adjuncts to a hotel containing less than one hundred (100) rooms or suites subject to the following conditions: City of Washington, D.C. | Title 11 - Zoning SUBTITLE U, CHAPTER 4-4 (1) The total area within the hotel devoted to function rooms, exhibit space, and commercial adjuncts shall not be increased; (2) There shall be no direct entrance to the adjunct from the outside of the building; (3) No part of the adjunct or the entrance to the adjunct shall be visible from a sidewalk; (4) No sign or display indicating the existence of the adjunct shall be visible from the outside of the building; and (5) The hotel shall be of sufficient size and character so that the financial support of the requested adjunct may be expected to be furnished entirely or substantially by the hotel guests;
RA-5/DC
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
39ConditionalSubtitle U §420.1(e)
Commercial adjuncts to a hotel containing less than one hundred (100) rooms or suites subject to the following conditions: City of Washington, D.C. | Title 11 - Zoning SUBTITLE U, CHAPTER 4-4 (1) The total area within the hotel devoted to function rooms, exhibit space, and commercial adjuncts shall not be increased; (2) There shall be no direct entrance to the adjunct from the outside of the building; (3) No part of the adjunct or the entrance to the adjunct shall be visible from a sidewalk; (4) No sign or display indicating the existence of the adjunct shall be visible from the outside of the building; and (5) The hotel shall be of sufficient size and character so that the financial support of the requested adjunct may be expected to be furnished entirely or substantially by the hotel guests;
RA-6
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
no parcels loadedConditionalSubtitle U §420.1(e)
Commercial adjuncts to a hotel containing less than one hundred (100) rooms or suites subject to the following conditions: City of Washington, D.C. | Title 11 - Zoning SUBTITLE U, CHAPTER 4-4 (1) The total area within the hotel devoted to function rooms, exhibit space, and commercial adjuncts shall not be increased; (2) There shall be no direct entrance to the adjunct from the outside of the building; (3) No part of the adjunct or the entrance to the adjunct shall be visible from a sidewalk; (4) No sign or display indicating the existence of the adjunct shall be visible from the outside of the building; and (5) The hotel shall be of sufficient size and character so that the financial support of the requested adjunct may be expected to be furnished entirely or substantially by the hotel guests;
RA-7
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
no parcels loadedConditionalSubtitle U §420.1(e)
Commercial adjuncts to a hotel containing less than one hundred (100) rooms or suites subject to the following conditions: City of Washington, D.C. | Title 11 - Zoning SUBTITLE U, CHAPTER 4-4 (1) The total area within the hotel devoted to function rooms, exhibit space, and commercial adjuncts shall not be increased; (2) There shall be no direct entrance to the adjunct from the outside of the building; (3) No part of the adjunct or the entrance to the adjunct shall be visible from a sidewalk; (4) No sign or display indicating the existence of the adjunct shall be visible from the outside of the building; and (5) The hotel shall be of sufficient size and character so that the financial support of the requested adjunct may be expected to be furnished entirely or substantially by the hotel guests;

Hotel

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(e)
Hotel;
SEFC-1A
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
4ConditionalSubtitle K §237.4(e)
Hotel;
SEFC-1B
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
24ConditionalSubtitle K §237.4(e)
Hotel;

Lodging (Hotel)

Allowed by right in 6 districts

DistrictProperties loadedCodeWhat says so
CG-5
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
29AllowedSubtitle U §507.1(a)(11)
Lodging;
CG-6
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
no parcels loadedAllowedSubtitle U §507.1(a)(11)
Lodging;
CG-7
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
1AllowedSubtitle U §507.1(a)(11)
Lodging;
MU-12
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
310AllowedSubtitle U §507.1(a)(11)
Lodging;
MU-13
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
77AllowedSubtitle U §507.1(a)(11)
Lodging;
MU-14
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
58AllowedSubtitle U §507.1(a)(11)
Lodging;

Lodging (Hotel/Hostel)

Allowed by right in 11 districts

DistrictProperties loadedCodeWhat says so
D-1
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
no parcels loadedAllowedSubtitle I §304.1(a)
Lodging;
D-2
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
78AllowedSubtitle I §304.1(a)
Lodging;
D-3
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
116AllowedSubtitle I §304.1(a)
Lodging;
D-4
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
131AllowedSubtitle I §304.1(a)
Lodging;
D-4-R
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
194AllowedSubtitle I §304.1(a)
Lodging;
D-5
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
506AllowedSubtitle I §304.1(a)
Lodging;
D-5-R
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
148AllowedSubtitle I §304.1(a)
Lodging;
D-6
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
316AllowedSubtitle I §304.1(a)
Lodging;
D-6-R
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
113AllowedSubtitle I §304.1(a)
Lodging;
D-7
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
141AllowedSubtitle I §304.1(a)
Lodging;
D-8
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
30AllowedSubtitle I §304.1(a)
Lodging;

Lodging / Hotel (any number of guests)

Allowed only with a discretionary approval in 4 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(f)
Lodging for any number of guests, subject to the following conditions: (1) The height, bulk, and design of the lodging use shall be in harmony with existing uses and structures on neighboring property; (2) To ensure that the height, bulk, and design is in harmony with existing uses and structures on neighboring property, the Board of Zoning Adjustment may require special treatment in the way of design, building setbacks, screening, landscaping, sign controls, and other features as it deems necessary to protect neighboring property; (3) The approval of the lodging use shall result in a balance of residential, office, and lodging uses in the applicable zones in the vicinity of the lodging use; (4) The gross floor area devoted to function rooms and exhibit space shall not exceed fifteen percent (15%) of the gross floor area of the hotel; (5) The lodging use shall be located within one thousand three hundred feet (1,300 ft.) of the Central Employment Area or a Metrorail station as measured from the entrance of the lodging use closest to the main lobby and guest registration desk to the edge of the Central Employment Area or the entrance to the Metrorail station, following public rights-of-way; City of Washington, D.C. | Title 11 - Zoning SUBTITLE U, CHAPTER 5-4 (6) The Board of Zoning Adjustment may require more or less off-street parking spaces and loading berths than required by this title to accommodate the activities of the lodging use, so as to avoid unduly impacting parking or traffic on the surrounding streets; and (7) The location and design of driveways, access roads, and other circulation elements of the lodging use shall be located to avoid dangerous or other objectionable traffic conditions;
MU-1/DC
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
176ConditionalSubtitle U §504.1(f)
Lodging for any number of guests, subject to the following conditions: (1) The height, bulk, and design of the lodging use shall be in harmony with existing uses and structures on neighboring property; (2) To ensure that the height, bulk, and design is in harmony with existing uses and structures on neighboring property, the Board of Zoning Adjustment may require special treatment in the way of design, building setbacks, screening, landscaping, sign controls, and other features as it deems necessary to protect neighboring property; (3) The approval of the lodging use shall result in a balance of residential, office, and lodging uses in the applicable zones in the vicinity of the lodging use; (4) The gross floor area devoted to function rooms and exhibit space shall not exceed fifteen percent (15%) of the gross floor area of the hotel; (5) The lodging use shall be located within one thousand three hundred feet (1,300 ft.) of the Central Employment Area or a Metrorail station as measured from the entrance of the lodging use closest to the main lobby and guest registration desk to the edge of the Central Employment Area or the entrance to the Metrorail station, following public rights-of-way; City of Washington, D.C. | Title 11 - Zoning SUBTITLE U, CHAPTER 5-4 (6) The Board of Zoning Adjustment may require more or less off-street parking spaces and loading berths than required by this title to accommodate the activities of the lodging use, so as to avoid unduly impacting parking or traffic on the surrounding streets; and (7) The location and design of driveways, access roads, and other circulation elements of the lodging use shall be located to avoid dangerous or other objectionable traffic conditions;
MU-2
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
99ConditionalSubtitle U §504.1(f)
Lodging for any number of guests, subject to the following conditions: (1) The height, bulk, and design of the lodging use shall be in harmony with existing uses and structures on neighboring property; (2) To ensure that the height, bulk, and design is in harmony with existing uses and structures on neighboring property, the Board of Zoning Adjustment may require special treatment in the way of design, building setbacks, screening, landscaping, sign controls, and other features as it deems necessary to protect neighboring property; (3) The approval of the lodging use shall result in a balance of residential, office, and lodging uses in the applicable zones in the vicinity of the lodging use; (4) The gross floor area devoted to function rooms and exhibit space shall not exceed fifteen percent (15%) of the gross floor area of the hotel; (5) The lodging use shall be located within one thousand three hundred feet (1,300 ft.) of the Central Employment Area or a Metrorail station as measured from the entrance of the lodging use closest to the main lobby and guest registration desk to the edge of the Central Employment Area or the entrance to the Metrorail station, following public rights-of-way; City of Washington, D.C. | Title 11 - Zoning SUBTITLE U, CHAPTER 5-4 (6) The Board of Zoning Adjustment may require more or less off-street parking spaces and loading berths than required by this title to accommodate the activities of the lodging use, so as to avoid unduly impacting parking or traffic on the surrounding streets; and (7) The location and design of driveways, access roads, and other circulation elements of the lodging use shall be located to avoid dangerous or other objectionable traffic conditions;
MU-2/DC
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
39ConditionalSubtitle U §504.1(f)
Lodging for any number of guests, subject to the following conditions: (1) The height, bulk, and design of the lodging use shall be in harmony with existing uses and structures on neighboring property; (2) To ensure that the height, bulk, and design is in harmony with existing uses and structures on neighboring property, the Board of Zoning Adjustment may require special treatment in the way of design, building setbacks, screening, landscaping, sign controls, and other features as it deems necessary to protect neighboring property; (3) The approval of the lodging use shall result in a balance of residential, office, and lodging uses in the applicable zones in the vicinity of the lodging use; (4) The gross floor area devoted to function rooms and exhibit space shall not exceed fifteen percent (15%) of the gross floor area of the hotel; (5) The lodging use shall be located within one thousand three hundred feet (1,300 ft.) of the Central Employment Area or a Metrorail station as measured from the entrance of the lodging use closest to the main lobby and guest registration desk to the edge of the Central Employment Area or the entrance to the Metrorail station, following public rights-of-way; City of Washington, D.C. | Title 11 - Zoning SUBTITLE U, CHAPTER 5-4 (6) The Board of Zoning Adjustment may require more or less off-street parking spaces and loading berths than required by this title to accommodate the activities of the lodging use, so as to avoid unduly impacting parking or traffic on the surrounding streets; and (7) The location and design of driveways, access roads, and other circulation elements of the lodging use shall be located to avoid dangerous or other objectionable traffic conditions;

Retail and general service as accessory use to apartment house or hotel

Allowed by right in 4 districts

DistrictProperties loadedCodeWhat says so
MU-1
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
1AllowedSubtitle U §503.1
503.1 Retail and general service uses shall be permitted as accessory uses and appropriate adjuncts to an apartment house or hotel, subject to the following conditions: (a) The uses shall be oriented for the service and convenience of the tenants or guests of the building; (b) There shall be no direct entrance to the commercial establishment from the outside of the building; (c) There shall be no direct entrance to the commercial establishment from the outside of the building; and City of Washington, D.C. | Title 11 - Zoning SUBTITLE U, CHAPTER 5-2 (d) No sign or display indicating the existence of the adjunct shall be visible from the outside of the building.
MU-1/DC
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
176AllowedSubtitle U §503.1
503.1 Retail and general service uses shall be permitted as accessory uses and appropriate adjuncts to an apartment house or hotel, subject to the following conditions: (a) The uses shall be oriented for the service and convenience of the tenants or guests of the building; (b) There shall be no direct entrance to the commercial establishment from the outside of the building; (c) There shall be no direct entrance to the commercial establishment from the outside of the building; and City of Washington, D.C. | Title 11 - Zoning SUBTITLE U, CHAPTER 5-2 (d) No sign or display indicating the existence of the adjunct shall be visible from the outside of the building.
MU-2
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
99AllowedSubtitle U §503.1
503.1 Retail and general service uses shall be permitted as accessory uses and appropriate adjuncts to an apartment house or hotel, subject to the following conditions: (a) The uses shall be oriented for the service and convenience of the tenants or guests of the building; (b) There shall be no direct entrance to the commercial establishment from the outside of the building; (c) There shall be no direct entrance to the commercial establishment from the outside of the building; and City of Washington, D.C. | Title 11 - Zoning SUBTITLE U, CHAPTER 5-2 (d) No sign or display indicating the existence of the adjunct shall be visible from the outside of the building.
MU-2/DC
the ordinance paragraph quoted here
39AllowedSubtitle U §503.1
503.1 Retail and general service uses shall be permitted as accessory uses and appropriate adjuncts to an apartment house or hotel, subject to the following conditions: (a) The uses shall be oriented for the service and convenience of the tenants or guests of the building; (b) There shall be no direct entrance to the commercial establishment from the outside of the building; (c) There shall be no direct entrance to the commercial establishment from the outside of the building; and City of Washington, D.C. | Title 11 - Zoning SUBTITLE U, CHAPTER 5-2 (d) No sign or display indicating the existence of the adjunct shall be visible from the outside of the building.

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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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