Washington, DC · Title 11 DCMR (2016 Zoning Regulations)
MU-3 is a medium-intensity mixed-use zone. Common along major commercial corridors and near Metro stations. Active ground-floor retail with residential above is the typical development pattern. Inclusionary Zoning is mandatory; a PUD is available. See the development standards for height and FAR.
Development standards in MU-3
Maximum FAR
1
Maximum height
40 ft
Maximum stories
3
Maximum lot coverage
60%
Rear setback
20 ft
By-right FAR varies by building type: Non-Residential 1; Residential (IZ) 1.2; Residential 1
Federal Heights Act (1910) limits apply: 90 ft on residential streets, 110 ft on commercial streets, 130 ft on Pennsylvania Avenue. These federal limits cannot be exceeded by any local zoning approval or PUD.
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 MU-3
AllowedAgricultural, both residential and large Subtitle U §510.1(b)
AllowedArts design and creation, including an artist live-work studio Subtitle U §510.1(c)
AllowedArt gallery and museum Subtitle U §510.1(d)
AllowedCollege or university uses A use that would otherwise not be permitted as a matter of right but for the university or college shall not be permitted; Subtitle U §510.1(e)
AllowedDaytime care uses for no more than five (5) persons Not including resident supervisors or staff and their families; child development home or expanded child development home permitted as accessory use; dwelling unit must be principal residence of caregiver; use must meet definition of home occupation; Subtitle U §510.1(f)
AllowedEating and drinking establishment uses (excluding drive-through/drive-in and food delivery service) Drive-through or drive-in operation and food delivery service not permitted; fast food establishment not permitted in MU-3 zone except a fast food establishment with no drive-through is permitted by right in Square 5912, Square 3499 (Lot 3), and Square 3664 (Lot 820); prepared food shop in Square 5912 shall have no limitation on seats; Subtitle U §510.1(g)
Not AllowedFast food establishment (with drive-through) Fast food establishment with drive-through is not permitted in MU-3 zone; Subtitle U §510.1(g)(3)
AllowedFast food establishment (no drive-through) in Square 5912, Square 3499 (Lot 3), and Square 3664 (Lot 820) Permitted by right only at these specific locations within MU-3; fast food establishment otherwise not permitted in MU-3; Subtitle U §510.1(g)(3)
AllowedEmergency shelter for not more than four (4) persons Not including resident supervisors or staff and their families; Subtitle U §510.1(h)
AllowedEntertainment, assembly, and performing arts uses Bowling alley is not permitted; Subtitle U §510.1(i)
Not AllowedBowling alley Explicitly excluded from entertainment, assembly, and performing arts uses; Subtitle U §510.1(i)
AllowedGasoline service station with a valid certificate of occupancy that has not been replaced by another use with a valid certificate of occupancy Subtitle U §510.1(j)
AllowedGroup instruction center or studio Subtitle U §510.1(l)
AllowedInstitutional uses, general, and religious Subtitle U §510.1(m)
AllowedLocal government Subtitle U §510.1(n)
AllowedLodging Subtitle U §510.1(o)
AllowedMarine Subtitle U §510.1(p)
AllowedMedical care facilities, including hospice care Subtitle U §510.1(q)
AllowedOffice uses, including chanceries Subtitle U §510.1(r)
AllowedOptical transmission node Subtitle U §510.1(s)
AllowedParking garage May include a car wash and interior detailing as a permitted accessory use within the permitted parking garage; Subtitle U §510.1(t)
AllowedParks and recreation Subtitle U §510.1(u)
AllowedRetail Large format retail is not permitted; Subtitle U §510.1(v)
Not AllowedLarge format retail Explicitly excluded from retail uses; Subtitle U §510.1(v)
AllowedService uses, financial and general Use must not involve installation of automobile accessories; laundry or dry cleaning facility shall not exceed 2,500 sq. ft. of gross floor area; indoor storage facility not exceeding 2,500 sq. ft. of gross floor area; Subtitle U §510.1(w)
"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.
Standards as recorded by ZoneScore: 11 DCMR Subtitle G (Mixed Use zones), MU-3
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.