Figures marked official zoning GIS record come from the jurisdiction's own zoning map layer, not from the text of the code. That record is dated and linked above, and it is a summary of the ordinance rather than the ordinance itself — where a standard is banded or was recently amended, the code text governs. Figures citing a section are quoted from the code directly.
By-right FAR varies by building type: Residential 2
Read from District of Columbia Zoning Regulations of 2016 (Title 11 DCMR), effective through 2026-04-03. Amendments adopted after that date (most recent 2026-07-17) are not yet reflected.
How complete is this market? Across 134,966 parcels we answer 93.9% of the 6 questions this site is built to answer, each with a source you can check. The rest are shown as “not recorded” rather than filled in — we would rather be short than wrong.
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(a)).
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(c)).
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?
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size, overlays, existing improvements and site conditions. Run a free address lookup to see
what applies to one property.
Every development standard on this page shows where it came from. Figures cited to a section are quoted from Title 11 DCMR itself and verified word for word against the code text. Figures linked to an official zoning GIS record come from the DC Office of Zoning's own mapped zoning data, which is dated and re-queryable but is a summary of the code rather than the code — where a standard is banded or recently amended, the ordinance text governs. Anything we cannot source is shown as “not recorded” rather than filled in. Use permissions follow Subtitle U.