NMU-5A/PAENMU-5A/PAE / Neighborhood Mixed-Use Zone

Washington, DC · Title 11 DCMR (2016 Zoning Regulations)

Permits mixed-use development at moderate density; implements PAESAP

Development standards in NMU-5A/PAE

We don't hold published dimensional standards for this zone yet — see the ordinance link below for the authoritative table.

Permitted uses in NMU-5A/PAE

• 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
• AllowedAll matter-of-right uses permitted in R, RF, or RA zones
  Full R/RF/RA matter-of-right baseline applies; Subtitle H §6006.1(a)
• AllowedAnimal sales, care, and boarding (subject to §6001.4(g) designated use conditions)
  Veterinary office max 50% GFA for boarding; no abutting residential zone; no external yards; pet grooming/supplies/convalescence boarding permitted as accessory; animal grooming with no boarding permitted; animal boarding in basement/cellar subject to conditions including 25 ft setback from R/RF/RA, no residential on same/immediately above floor, windows/doors kept closed, closed waste containers, odor filtration, impervious floors; Subtitle H §6006.1(c)
• AllowedEating and drinking establishment (excluding fast food and food delivery)
  Prepared food shop permitted with seating for no more than 24 patrons as matter-of-right; fast food establishment and food delivery business not permitted as matter-of-right; Subtitle H §6006.1(d)
• AllowedEmergency shelter (up to 4 persons)
  Not including resident supervisors or staff and their families; Subtitle H §6006.1(e)
• AllowedEducation uses (NMU-5A/H-H, NMU-6B/H-H, and NMU-5A/H-R zones only)
  Matter-of-right only in NMU-5A/H-H, NMU-6B/H-H, and NMU-5A/H-R; other Group B zones require special exception; note: ordinance cites "MU-5A/H-H, MU-6B/H-H, and MU-5A/H-R" which appears to be a drafting error for the NMU equivalents; Subtitle H §6006.1(f)
• AllowedFirearms retail sales establishment
  No portion of establishment may be located within 300 ft of any R/RF/RA/MU-1/MU-2 zone, or within 300 ft of place of worship, public or private school, public library, or playground; Subtitle H §6006.1(g)
• AllowedLodging
  Not permitted in NMU-4/CP and NMU-4/WP zones; note: ordinance cites "MU-4/CP and MU-4/WP" which appears to be a drafting error for NMU equivalents; Subtitle H §6006.1(h)
• AllowedMotor vehicle – automobile rental agency
  Subtitle H §6006.1(i)(1)
• AllowedMotor vehicle – car wash (with stacking spaces for minimum 15 cars)
  Subtitle H §6006.1(i)(2)
• AllowedMotor vehicle – gasoline service station (existing, with valid certificate of occupancy not replaced by another use)
  Subtitle H §6006.1(i)(3)
• AllowedMotor vehicle – gasoline service station as accessory use to parking garage or public storage garage
  All portions must be entirely within garage; no part visible from sidewalk; no exterior signage; Subtitle H §6006.1(i)(4)
• AllowedService (general) – self-service or full-service laundry or dry-cleaning establishment (up to 2,500 sq ft)
  No dry-cleaning chemicals used or stored on site; Subtitle H §6006.1(j)(1)
• Not AllowedService (general) – massage establishment (principal use)
  Any establishment with principal use of administration of massage shall not be permitted as matter-of-right in NMU Use Group B; may be permitted as special exception; Subtitle H §6006.1(j)(2)
• AllowedUtility (basic) – optical transmission nodes
  Limited to optical transmission nodes only; other utility uses require special exception; Subtitle H §6006.1(k)
• ConditionalAnimal care and boarding (not meeting §6001.4(g) conditions)
  Special exception; subject to conditions of Subtitle H §§6005.1(a) and (b); Subtitle H §6007.1(a)
• 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 §6007.1(c)
• ConditionalEmergency shelter (5–25 persons)
  Special exception; subject to conditions of Subtitle H §6005.1(e); Subtitle H §6007.1(d)
• ConditionalEating and drinking – prepared food shop with more than 24 seats
  Special exception; Subtitle H §6007.1(e)(1)
• ConditionalEating and drinking – fast food establishment or food delivery business
  Special exception; not permitted in NMU-4/WP zone (ordinance cites MU-4/WP, apparent drafting error); not within 25 ft of R/RA/RF zone unless separated by street or alley; brick wall required if lot line abuts alley at residential zone boundary; dumpsters in enclosed 3-sided brick enclosure with opaque gate; no drive-through; no customer entrance facing residential zone street/alley; shall not become objectionable due to noise/odors/lights/hours; Subtitle H §6007.1(e)(2)
• ConditionalEducation, college/university (zones other than those permitted as matter-of-right)
  Special exception; subject to Subtitle X §102; applies to all NMU Use Group B zones not permitted as matter-of-right; Subtitle H §6007.1(f)
• ConditionalMotor vehicle – gasoline service station or repair garage (excluding body/fender work)
  Special exception; not permitted in NMU-4/H-A and NMU-4/H-R zones; not 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 §6007.1(g)
• ConditionalMotor vehicle – motorcycle sales and repair
  Special exception; use and all accessory facilities must be within a building; no portion within 50 ft of R/RF/RA/MU-1/MU-2 zone; Subtitle H §6007.1(h)
• ConditionalParking as accessory spaces located off-lot
  Special exception; total spaces shall not exceed minimum required; must demonstrate economic impracticability or unsafety of on-lot parking (strip/shallow zoning, restricted lot size, unusual topography, lack of alley, traffic hazards); spaces shall not be objectionable due to noise/traffic; Subtitle H §6007.1(i)
• ConditionalService (general) – self-service or full-service laundry or dry-cleaning establishment exceeding 2,500 sq ft
  Special exception; Subtitle H §6007.1(j)(1)
• ConditionalService (general) – massage establishment (principal use)
  Special exception; Subtitle H §6007.1(j)(2)
• ConditionalUtility (basic) uses other than optical transmission node (excluding EEF)
  Special exception; BZA must conclude use will 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 §6007.1(k)
• ConditionalYouth Rehabilitation Home / Adult Rehabilitation Home (up to 20 persons)
  Special exception; maximum 20 persons not including resident supervisors or staff and their families; Subtitle H §6007.1(l)

Sources

• Title 11 DCMR (2016 Zoning Regulations) — read the ordinance
• DC Office of Zoning — official zoning map / authority

Other DC zones