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: Non-Residential 5; Residential (IZ) 7.2; Residential 6
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 MU-14
AllowedPrincipal dwelling unit (residential), by right A principal dwelling unit is a matter-of-right use in the R zones (Subtitle U §201.1(a)), and any use permitted as a matter of right in any R, RF, or RA zone is permitted as a matter of right in the MU zones except MU-11 (Subtitle U §501.2). Subject to any modification by this zone's own chapter and by Subtitle U §§513 and 514.
AllowedResidential (all dwelling types, including multiple dwelling / apartments) Any residential use permitted matter-of-right in an R, RF, or RA zone is matter-of-right in MU-12. Subtitle U §501.2.
AllowedAccessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Matter-of-right as an R/RF/RA use carried into MU. Subtitle U §501.2 (via §301.1(c)).
AllowedHome Occupation Accessory; resident-operated per Subtitle U §251. Matter-of-right in MU via §501.2.
AllowedShort-Term Rental (STR) Licensed accessory use to a principal residence; host must be the DC primary resident (D.C. Law 22-307). Matter-of-right accessory to residential per Subtitle U §501.2. Verify licensing at https://str.dc.gov.
AllowedRetail Matter-of-right in MU-Use Group C. Subtitle U §507.1(a)(17).
AllowedOffice (including chancery) Matter-of-right in MU-Use Group C. Subtitle U §507.1(a)(14).
AllowedEating and Drinking Establishment Matter-of-right except a drive-through operation is not permitted. Subtitle U §507.1(a)(6); drive-through barred by §509.1(f).
AllowedLodging (Hotel) Matter-of-right in MU-Use Group C. Subtitle U §507.1(a)(11).
AllowedService (financial and general) Matter-of-right in MU-Use Group C. Subtitle U §507.1(a)(18).
AllowedMedical Care Facility (including hospice) Matter-of-right in MU-Use Group C. Subtitle U §507.1(a)(13); a facility not meeting the conditions may seek special exception under §508.1(g).
AllowedArts, Design, and Creation (including artist live-work studio) Matter-of-right in MU-Use Group C. Subtitle U §507.1(a)(2).
AllowedArt Gallery and Museum Matter-of-right in MU-Use Group C. Subtitle U §507.1(a)(3).
AllowedTheater / Performing Arts Theater for entertainment, assembly, and performing arts is matter-of-right. Subtitle U §507.1(a)(19); assembly uses within 25 ft. of residential require special exception (§508.1(f)).
AllowedInstitutional (general and religious) Matter-of-right in MU-Use Group C. Subtitle U §507.1(a)(10).
AllowedLocal Government Use Matter-of-right in MU-Use Group C. Subtitle U §507.1(a)(9).
AllowedParks and Recreation Matter-of-right in MU-Use Group C. Subtitle U §507.1(a)(15).
AllowedCommunity Residence Facility (up to 6 persons) Up to 6 persons matter-of-right; 7-15 with a 500 ft. spacing condition. Subtitle U §507.1(a)(4).
AllowedDaytime Care Matter-of-right in MU-Use Group C. Subtitle U §507.1(a)(5).
AllowedEmergency Shelter (up to 4 persons) Up to 4 persons matter-of-right; 5-25 persons by special exception (§508.1(e)). Subtitle U §507.1(a)(7).
AllowedGroup Instruction Center or Studio Matter-of-right in MU-Use Group C. Subtitle U §507.1(a)(8).
AllowedPet Grooming Establishment Matter-of-right in MU-Use Group C. Subtitle U §507.1(a)(16).
AllowedAgricultural (residential and large) Matter-of-right in MU-Use Group C. Subtitle U §507.1(a)(1).
AllowedMarine Matter-of-right in MU-Use Group C. Subtitle U §507.1(a)(12).
ConditionalCollege or University Special exception, incl. college/university hospital, dormitory, fraternity or sorority on campus. Subtitle U §508.1(b).
ConditionalYouth or Adult Rehabilitation Home (1 to 20 persons) Special exception; no other such home within 500 ft. Subtitle U §508.1(c).
ConditionalEducation (private) Special exception, subject to design and impact conditions. Subtitle U §508.1(d).
ConditionalEmergency Shelter (5 to 25 persons) Special exception (up to 4 persons is matter-of-right, §507.1(a)(7)). Subtitle U §508.1(e).
ConditionalProduction, Distribution, and Repair (PDR) Special exception, subject to external-effects and no-outdoor-storage conditions. Subtitle U §508.1(j).
ConditionalUtility Uses Special exception, subject to setbacks/screening conditions. Subtitle U §508.1(k).
ConditionalVeterinary Office or Hospital Special exception; boarding limited to <=50% of GFA, with noise/odor conditions. Subtitle U §508.1(l).
ConditionalYouth Residential Care Home (16 to 25 persons) Special exception; no other such home within 500 ft. Subtitle U §508.1(m).
Not AllowedAutomobile or Motorcycle Sales or Repair Not permitted as matter-of-right or special exception. Subtitle U §509.1(b).
Not AllowedGasoline Service Station Not permitted as matter-of-right or special exception. Subtitle U §509.1(i).
Not AllowedDrive-Through Operation Not permitted as a principal or accessory use. Subtitle U §509.1(f).
Not AllowedFirearms Retail Sales Establishment Not permitted as matter-of-right or special exception. Subtitle U §509.1(h).
Not AllowedMassage Establishment (principal use) A principal-use massage establishment not part of a health facility is not permitted. Subtitle U §509.1(a).
Not AllowedSexually-Oriented Business Establishment Not permitted as matter-of-right or special exception. Subtitle U §509.1(p).
"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.
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.