Washington, DC · Title 11 DCMR (2016 Zoning Regulations)
Permits low density mixed use development
Development standards in NMU-3A/MW
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 1
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 NMU-3A/MW
AllowedNMU zone designated uses (animal sales/care/boarding, arts/design/creation, eating/drinking, entertainment/performing arts, financial/general services, retail) Designated uses must occupy no less than 50% of ground floor GFA in designated use area; max 20% financial services/travel agencies/ticket offices; eating/drinking max 25% of linear street frontage (except NMU-5A/PAE, NMU-4/H-H, NMU-4/H-A, NMU-4/H-R, NMU-5A/H-H, NMU-5A/H-R, NMU-6B/H-H, NMU-7B/H-H, NMU-7B/ES, NMU-7B/H-A, NMU-8B/H-H zones); drive-through not permitted in any NMU zone; Subtitle H §6001
AllowedAgriculture, large Subtitle H §6003.1(b)
AllowedArts, design, and creation Subtitle H §6003.1(c)
AllowedChancery Subtitle H §6003.1(d)
AllowedCommunity solar facility (roof-mounted, any size) Subtitle H §6003.1(e)(1)
AllowedCommunity solar facility (ground-mounted, up to 20 ft height, up to 1.5 acres panel face area) Must meet yard and height standards of zone; panels sited no less than 40 ft from adjacent R/RF/RA-1 zone; Subtitle H §6003.1(e)(2)
AllowedDaytime care Subtitle H §6003.1(f)
AllowedEducation, private Subtitle H §6003.1(g)
AllowedEducation, public Subtitle H §6003.1(h)
AllowedGovernment, local Subtitle H §6003.1(i)
AllowedInstitutional, general and religious Subtitle H §6003.1(j)
AllowedMedical care Subtitle H §6003.1(k)
AllowedOffice, including chancery Subtitle H §6003.1(l)
AllowedParking Subtitle H §6003.1(m)
AllowedParks and recreation Subtitle H §6003.1(n)
AllowedResidential Subtitle H §6003.1(o)
AllowedRetail Subtitle H §6003.1(p)
AllowedServices, financial Subtitle H §6003.1(q)
AllowedShort-Term Rental (STR) as accessory use to principal residential use Subtitle H §6003.1(r)
AllowedTransportation infrastructure Subtitle H §6003.1(s)
AllowedOther accessory uses customarily incidental and subordinate to principal uses Subtitle H §6000.5
Not AllowedDrive-through or drive-in operation (principal or accessory) Prohibited in all NMU zones; Subtitle H §6001.5
Not AllowedAdditional matter-of-right uses specific to NMU Use Group A (§6004) NOTICE: Subtitle H §6004.1 contains only a placeholder ("Enter text here") as of the current ordinance (Final Rulemaking Order No. 24-10, January 16, 2026). No additional matter-of-right uses beyond the §6003 shared baseline have been enacted for NMU Use Group A. Check encodeplus.com/regs/washington-dc for updates.
ConditionalAnimal boarding (not meeting §6001.4(g)(3) basement/cellar conditions) Special exception; must occur entirely within enclosed building; noise mitigation required; windows/doors kept closed; no external yards; waste in closed containers collected weekly; odor filtration required; impervious floor/wall materials; BZA may impose additional requirements; Subtitle H §6005.1(a)
ConditionalAnimal care uses (not meeting §6001.4(g) designated use conditions) Special exception; shall not abut R/RF/RA zone; no objectionable noise/odor/waste; entirely within enclosed soundproofed building; windows/doors kept closed; HEPA air filtration; no external yards; pet supply sales permitted as accessory; not for housing stray/abandoned animals; BZA may impose additional requirements; Subtitle H §6005.1(b)
ConditionalCommunity solar facility (not meeting §6003.1(e) matter-of-right conditions) Special exception; landscaped area min 5 ft wide facing public space/residential/parks; native trees maintained; diverse native plantings; trees min 6 ft at planting; application referred to DC Dept of Energy and Environment; Subtitle H §6005.1(d)
ConditionalEmergency shelter (up to 15 persons) Special exception; no other emergency shelter for 7+ persons in same square or within 500 ft; adequate screened off-street parking required; must meet code and licensing requirements; shall not adversely impact neighborhood; BZA may approve more than one within 500 ft only if cumulative effect will not adversely impact neighborhood; Subtitle H §6005.1(e)
ConditionalEating and drinking – prepared food shop with more than 24 seats Special exception; Subtitle H §6005.1(f)
ConditionalEducation, college/university Special exception; subject to Subtitle X §102; Subtitle H §6005.1(g)
ConditionalMotor vehicle – gasoline service station (new or enlarged) Special exception; shall not be located within 25 ft of R/RF/RA zone; shall not create dangerous traffic conditions; parking spaces may be arranged so not all accessible at all times; Subtitle H §6005.1(h)(1)
ConditionalUtility (basic) uses other than optical transmission node (excluding EEF) Special exception; use shall not inhibit neighborhood revitalization, reduce vibrant streetscapes, deplete street life, or inhibit pedestrian/vehicular movement as consequence of design, operation, low employee presence, or proximity to other EEFs; Subtitle H §6005.1(i)
ConditionalYouth Rehabilitation Home / Adult Rehabilitation Home (up to 15 persons) Special exception; maximum 15 persons not including resident supervisors or staff and their families; Subtitle H §6005.1(j)
"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.
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.