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: Residential (IZ) 4.2; Residential 3.5
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-5A/RC
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 MU-4 restriction does not apply to MU-5A; no zone-specific restriction noted; Subtitle U §512.1(d)
AllowedDaytime care uses for not more than twenty (20) persons Not including resident supervisors or staff and their families; Subtitle U §512.1(c)
AllowedEating and drinking establishment uses (general) MU-5A is not excluded from eating and drinking establishments generally; Subtitle U §512.1(e)
AllowedFast food establishment or food delivery service MU-5A is not in the excluded list (MU-4, MU-17, MU-24, MU-25, MU-26, MU-27), so permitted subject to conditions: no part of lot within 25 ft. of residential zone unless separated by street or alley; brick wall requirement if lot abuts alley with residential zone boundary; refuse dumpster enclosure requirements; no drive-through; Subtitle U §512.1(d)(2)
AllowedPrepared food shop MU-5A is not in the 18-seat restriction list (MU-4, MU-17, MU-24, MU-25, MU-26, MU-27); no seat limitation applies to MU-5A; Subtitle U §512.1(d)(3)
AllowedEducation uses, private Subtitle U §512.1(f)
AllowedEntertainment, assembly, and performing arts uses Bowling alley subject to conditions: not within 25 ft. of residentially zoned property unless separated by street or alley; soundproofing required as necessary; Subtitle U §512.1(g)
AllowedFirearms retail sales establishments No portion of establishment may be 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 Subtitle U §512.1(j)
AllowedRetail uses (excluding large format retail use) Large format retail use is excluded; off-premises beer and wine sales accessory use condition applies to specific Square 2572, Lot 36 grocery store; Subtitle U §512.1(k)
Not AllowedLarge format retail use Explicitly excluded from retail uses permitted under this section; Subtitle U §512.1(k)
AllowedService (general) uses Laundry or dry cleaning facility shall not exceed 2,500 sq. ft. gross floor area; MU-5A is not in the list prohibiting automobile accessories installation (MU-4, MU-17, MU-25, MU-27), so automobile accessories installation is permitted in MU-5A; Subtitle U §512.1(l)
AllowedAnimal boarding use located in a basement or cellar space Subject to conditions: not within 25 ft. of R, RF, or RA zone lot; no residential use on same floor or floor immediately above; windows and doors kept closed; no animals in external yard; closed waste disposal containers collected weekly; odor control system required; impervious and washable floor and wall finish materials to 48 in. height; Subtitle U §512.1(b)
"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.