Washington, DC · Title 11 DCMR (2016 Zoning Regulations)
MU-5 and higher-numbered MU zones are DC's highest-intensity mixed-use districts, typically located near major Metro stations and in areas targeted for significant urban infill. Heights approach the Federal Heights Act maximum for the street type. IZ mandatory. PUD is the primary vehicle for negotiating density above base zoning. These zones represent DC's most compelling development opportunities.
Development standards in MU-5
Rear setback
15 ft
Subtitle G § 207.6
By-right FAR varies by building type: Non-Residential 1.5; Residential (IZ) 4.2; Residential 3.5
Heights Act: 110 ft on commercial streets (130 ft on Pennsylvania Ave). This is a federal ceiling that no local approval can exceed.
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-5
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.
AllowedCollege or university uses No MU-5-specific restriction; the MU-4 restriction on ancillary uses does not apply to MU-5; Subtitle U §512.1(d)
AllowedDaytime care uses for not more than twenty (20) persons Limited to not more than 20 persons, not including resident supervisors or staff and their families; Subtitle U §512.1(c)
AllowedEating and drinking establishment uses (general) Permitted in MU-5; no zone-specific seat limitations apply to MU-5; Subtitle U §512.1(e)
AllowedFast food establishment or food delivery service MU-5 is not in the excluded zones (MU-4, MU-17, MU-24, MU-25, MU-26, MU-27); permitted subject to conditions: (A) no part of lot within 25 ft. of a residential zone unless separated by street or alley; (B) continuous brick wall requirement if lot abuts alley with residential zone boundary; (C) refuse dumpster enclosure requirements; (D) no drive-through; (E) subparagraphs (A) and (B) do not apply to fast food establishment in Square 5912; Subtitle U §512.1(d)(2)
AllowedPrepared food shop MU-5 is not among the zones (MU-4, MU-17, MU-24, MU-25, MU-26, MU-27) subject to the 18-seat limitation; no seat restriction applies in MU-5; Subtitle U §512.1(d)(3)
AllowedEducation uses, private No MU-5-specific conditions noted; Subtitle U §512.1(f)
AllowedEntertainment, assembly, and performing arts uses Bowling alley subject to conditions: (1) not within 25 ft. of residentially zoned property unless separated by street or alley; (2) soundproofing required as deemed necessary; Subtitle U §512.1(g)
AllowedFirearms retail sales establishment No portion of establishment may be located within 300 ft. of any R, RF, RA, MU-1, or MU-2 zone, or within 300 ft. of a place of worship, public or private school, public library, or playground; Subtitle U §512.1(h)
AllowedOptical transmission node No MU-5-specific conditions noted; Subtitle U §512.1(j)
AllowedRetail uses, except for a large format retail use Large format retail use is not permitted; off-premises beer and wine sales accessory use in grocery store at Square 2572, Lot 36 may continue subject to 2,078 sq. ft. gross floor area limit; Subtitle U §512.1(k)
Not AllowedLarge format retail use Expressly excluded from retail uses permitted under this section; Subtitle U §512.1(k)
AllowedService (general) uses Laundry or dry cleaning facility limited to 2,500 sq. ft. gross floor area; MU-5 is not among zones (MU-4, MU-17, MU-25, MU-27) where automobile accessories installation is prohibited, so that use is permitted in MU-5; Subtitle U §512.1(l)
AllowedAnimal boarding use located in a basement or cellar space Subject to conditions: (1) not within 25 ft. of R, RF, or RA zone lot; (2) no residential use on same floor or floor immediately above; (3) windows and doors kept closed, solid core doors not facing residential use; (4) no animals in external yard; (5) waste in closed containers collected weekly by licensed company; (6) odor control via air filtration or equivalent; (7) impervious and washable floor and wall finishes to minimum 48 in. from floor; Subtitle U §512.1(b)
AllowedCar wash Prohibition under 514.2 applies only to MU-24 and MU-26; MU-5 is not subject to this prohibition; Subtitle U §514.2(a)
AllowedAutomobile or truck sales Prohibition under 514.2 applies only to MU-24 and MU-26; MU-5 is not subject to this prohibition; Subtitle U §514.2(b)
AllowedAutomobile rental agency Prohibition under 514.2 applies only to MU-24 and MU-26; MU-5 is not subject to this prohibition; Subtitle U §514.2(c)
AllowedBoat or other marine sales Prohibition under 514.2 applies only to MU-24 and MU-26; MU-5 is not subject to this prohibition; Subtitle U §514.2(d)
AllowedDrive-in restaurant Prohibition under 514.2 applies only to MU-24 and MU-26; MU-5 is not subject to this prohibition; Subtitle U §514.2(e)
AllowedElectric substation or natural gas regulator station Prohibition under 514.2 applies only to MU-24 and MU-26; MU-5 is not subject to this prohibition; Subtitle U §514.2(f)
AllowedInstallation of automobile accessories Prohibition under 514.2 applies only to MU-24 and MU-26; MU-5 is not subject to this prohibition; Subtitle U §514.2(h)
AllowedMotorcycle sales and repairs Prohibition under 514.2 applies only to MU-24 and MU-26; MU-5 is not subject to this prohibition; Subtitle U §514.2(i)
AllowedParcel delivery service Prohibition under 514.2 applies only to MU-24 and MU-26; MU-5 is not subject to this prohibition; Subtitle U §514.2(j)
AllowedParking lot, parking garage, or public storage garage Prohibition under 514.2 applies only to MU-24 and MU-26; MU-5 is not subject to this prohibition; Subtitle U §514.2(k)
AllowedPublic utility pumping station Prohibition under 514.2 applies only to MU-24 and MU-26; MU-5 is not subject to this prohibition; Subtitle U §514.2(l)
"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.
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Standards as recorded by Zonescore: 11 DCMR Subtitle G (Mixed Use zones), MU-5+
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.