Washington, DC · Title 11 DCMR (2016 Zoning Regulations)
Permits high density housing with a limited amount of commercial uses permitted on only the ground floor
Development standards in D-1-R
Maximum FAR
2
Maximum height
90 ft
By-right FAR varies by building type: Residential 2
Development standards for this market are not yet checked against a committed copy of the ordinance. Use the ordinance link below as the authoritative source.
Permitted uses in D-1-R
AllowedResidential – Multiple dwelling Matter-of-right; residential use is REQUIRED in this R-suffix zone (Subtitle I §301.1, §305.1). Subtitle I §302.1; MU-Use Group F §515.1(a).
AllowedShort-Term Rental (STR) STR is matter-of-right per Subtitle U §250.1(f). DC STR law (D.C. Law 22-307) requires host to be a DC primary resident and to hold a valid STR license. Owner-occupied and unhosted rentals are both permitted. Verify at: https://dcra.dc.gov/str
Not AllowedLodging (Hotel/Hostel) Prohibited in the D-1-R zone (Subtitle I §304.1(a)).
AllowedCommunity Residence Facility Permitted as matter-of-right under MU-Use Group F §515.1(e). Subtitle I §302.1.
ConditionalEating and Drinking Establishments (Restaurant, Bar, Cafe) Special exception, on or below the ground floor (Subtitle I §303(b)).
Not AllowedOffice (including Chancery) Prohibited in the D-1-R zone (Subtitle I §304.1(b)).
AllowedRetail (general) Permitted as matter-of-right under MU-Use Group F §515.1(a). Large format retail (50,000+ sq ft single tenant) requires special exception per §303.1(g).
ConditionalLarge Format Retail (50,000+ sq ft) Requires special exception approval by Board of Zoning Adjustment. Subject to design, parking, and traffic conditions per §303.1(g).
AllowedService – General (dry cleaning, personal services, etc.) Permitted as matter-of-right under MU-Use Group F §515.1(a). Laundry/dry cleaning limited to 5,000 sq ft as matter-of-right; larger requires special exception §516.1(e).
Not AllowedFinancial Services (bank, loan office, travel agency) Not permitted in the D-1-R zone (Subtitle I §302.2(f)).
AllowedMedical Care (clinic, doctor office, urgent care) Permitted as matter-of-right under MU-Use Group F §515.1(j). Health Care Facility of any size is matter-of-right in D zones. Subtitle I §302.1.
Not AllowedFirearms Sales Prohibited in the D-1-R zone (Subtitle I §304.1(c)).
Not AllowedPet Grooming Establishment Not permitted in the D-1-R zone (Subtitle I §303(a)).
Not AllowedVeterinary Office or Hospital Not permitted in the D-1-R zone (Subtitle I §303(i)).
Not AllowedMotor Vehicle Sales and Service (no fuel/repair) Not permitted in the D-1-R zone; excluded from matter-of-right (§302.2(d)) and special exception (§303(f)).
Not AllowedMotorcycle Sales and Repair Prohibited in the D-1-R zone (Subtitle I §304.2(a)).
Not AllowedMassage Establishment (principal use) Not permitted in the D-1-R zone (Subtitle I §302.2(b)).
Not AllowedProduction, Distribution, and Repair (PDR) – Limited Prohibited in the D-1-R zone (Subtitle I §304.2(b)).
AllowedPrinting, Lithographing, or Photoengraving Permitted as matter-of-right with no GFA limitation under MU-Use Group F §515.1(n). Subtitle I §302.1.
AllowedAmusement Enterprise Permitted as matter-of-right under MU-Use Group F §515.1(b). Subtitle I §302.1.
AllowedEntertainment, Assembly, and Performing Arts Permitted as matter-of-right under MU-Use Group F §515.1(a) (via MU-Use Group E §512.1(g)). Subtitle I §302.1.
AllowedArts, Design, and Creation (including artist live-work studio) Permitted as matter-of-right under MU-Use Group F §515.1(a) (via MU-Use Group E/D). Additional arts uses per Subtitle U §700 apply in D zones. Subtitle I §302.1.
AllowedGovernment and Institutional Uses Local government, general institutional, and religious institutional uses permitted as matter-of-right. Large scale government uses require special exception per §303.1(c). MU-Use Group F §515.1(a); Subtitle I §302.1.
AllowedCollege or University Permitted as matter-of-right under MU-Use Group F §515.1(c). Includes hospital, dormitory, fraternity, or sorority on campus. Subtitle I §302.1.
AllowedPrivate Education (schools) Permitted as matter-of-right under MU-Use Group F §515.1(a) (via MU-Use Group E §512.1(f)). Subtitle I §302.1.
AllowedEmergency Shelter Permitted as matter-of-right under MU-Use Group F §515.1(h). Subtitle I §302.1.
AllowedParks and Recreation Permitted as matter-of-right under MU-Use Group F §515.1(a). Subtitle I §302.1.
AllowedParking Facility Vehicle parking spaces not required in D zones other than areas west of centerline of 20th Street NW. Parking facilities permitted matter-of-right if providing short-term or residential parking; all-day commuter parking requires BZA variance. Subtitle I §212.
Not AllowedMarine Uses Prohibited in all D zones as matter-of-right or special exception. §304.3(a).
Not AllowedWaste-Related Services Prohibited in all D zones as matter-of-right or special exception. §304.3(b).
Not AllowedSexually-Oriented Business Establishment Prohibited in the D-1-R zone (Subtitle I §304.1(d)).
"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.
Development standards are derived from the DC Office of Zoning's published development-standards table and checked against Title 11 DCMR; use permissions follow Subtitle U.