Washington, DC · Title 11 DCMR (2016 Zoning Regulations)
Permits high-density commercial and residential development
Development standards in D-6
We don't hold published dimensional standards for this zone yet — see the ordinance link below for the authoritative table.
Permitted uses in D-6
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.
AllowedEating and Drinking Establishments (Restaurant, Bar, Cafe) Permitted without restriction as matter-of-right in D-3 through D-8 zones. MU-Use Group F §515.1(f). In D-1-R and D-2, eating and drinking establishments require special exception and must be on or below ground floor per §303.1(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).
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).
AllowedFinancial Services (bank, loan office, travel agency) Permitted as matter-of-right in all D zones except D-1-R and D-2. Not more than 25% of ground floor area may be devoted to banks, loan offices, financial institutions, travel agencies, or ticket offices. §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.
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).
AllowedMotor Vehicle Sales and Service (no fuel/repair) Permitted as matter-of-right in all D zones except D-1-R and D-2, provided use does not include fuel sales or vehicle repair/service (except as incidental). §302.2(d).
AllowedMotorcycle Sales and Repair Permitted as matter-of-right in all D zones except D-1-R, D-2, and D-4. In D-4, motorcycle sales/repair requires special exception per §303.1(e). §302.2(e).
AllowedMassage Establishment (principal use) Permitted as matter-of-right in all D zones except D-1-R and D-2, provided no portion is within 200 ft of an R, RF, or RA zone. §302.2(c).
AllowedProduction, Distribution, and Repair (PDR) – Limited Permitted as matter-of-right in D zones except D-1-R and D-2. All aspects must be conducted within a fully enclosed building; use including storage limited to 10,000 sq ft; no rock quarrying. Existing D-3 PDR uses with valid CO are conforming but may not expand. §302.2(g).
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).
"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.