Washington, DC · Title 11 DCMR (2016 Zoning Regulations)
Permits low density mixed use development
Development standards in MU-3A
Maximum FAR
1
Subtitle G § 201.1
Maximum height
40 ft
Subtitle G § 203.2
Maximum stories
3
Subtitle G § 203.2
Rear setback
20 ft
Subtitle G § 207.5
By-right FAR varies by building type: Non-Residential 1; Residential (IZ) 1.2; Residential 1
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-3A
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.
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(w)
Not AllowedLarge format retail Explicitly excluded from retail uses; Subtitle U §510.1(w)
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(x)
"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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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.