D-2D-2 / Downtown Mixed Use

Washington, DC · Title 11 DCMR (2016 Zoning Regulations)

The D-2 zone is DC's primary downtown mixed-use zone, allowing retail, office, hotel, and residential uses at the highest densities permitted by the Federal Heights Act. Found in Penn Quarter, Chinatown, and the central business district. Zero parking minimums. IZ mandatory. Historic tax credits widely applicable.

Development standards in D-2

Permitted uses in D-2

• AllowedResidential – Multiple dwelling
  Permitted as matter-of-right in all D zones; density and FAR governed by zone-specific Chapter 5 regulations. 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
• AllowedLodging (Hotel/Hostel)
  Permitted as matter-of-right in D zones (except D-1-R where lodging is prohibited per §304.1(a)). MU-Use Group F §515.1(a); Subtitle I §302.1.
• 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)).
• AllowedOffice (including Chancery)
  Permitted as matter-of-right in D-3 through D-8. Office use is prohibited in the D-1-R zone per §304.1(b). MU-Use Group F §515.1(a); Subtitle I §302.1.
• 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).
• ConditionalService – General (dry cleaning, personal services, etc.)
  General retail services require special exception, on or below the ground floor, in the D-2 zone (Subtitle I §303(h)).
• Not AllowedFinancial Services (bank, loan office, travel agency)
  Not permitted in the D-2 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.
• AllowedFirearms Sales
  Permitted as matter-of-right in all D zones except D-1-R (prohibited per §304.1(c)). Subject to conditions of Subtitle U §512.1(f). §302.2(b).
• ConditionalPet Grooming Establishment
  Special exception per Subtitle I §303(a).
• ConditionalVeterinary Office or Hospital
  Special exception per Subtitle I §303(i).
• ConditionalMotor Vehicle Sales and Service (no fuel/repair)
  Not matter-of-right in the D-2 zone; special exception only (Subtitle I §302.2(d), §303(f)).
• Not AllowedMotorcycle Sales and Repair
  Prohibited in the D-2 zone (Subtitle I §304.2(a)).
• Not AllowedMassage Establishment (principal use)
  Not permitted in the D-2 zone (Subtitle I §302.2(b)).
• Not AllowedProduction, Distribution, and Repair (PDR) – Limited
  Prohibited in the D-2 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).
• ConditionalSexually-Oriented Business Establishment
  Not permitted in D-1-R zone per §304.1(d). In other D zones, requires special exception. Must be 600 ft from R/RF/RA zone or education use; 300 ft from another SOB; no exterior display. §303.1(h).

Sources

• Title 11 DCMR (2016 Zoning Regulations) — read the ordinance
• DC Office of Zoning — official zoning map / authority
• Standards as recorded by ZoneScore: 11 DCMR Subtitle I (Downtown zones), D-2

Other DC zones