R-1-BR-1-B / Residential House, Low-Medium Density
Washington, DC · Title 11 DCMR (2016 Zoning Regulations)
The R-1-B zone allows single-family detached houses in established residential neighborhoods with moderate lot sizes. Only one principal dwelling unit per lot; an accessory dwelling unit in an accessory building is permitted by right. The R zones are governed by lot occupancy rather than floor area ratio -- see the development standards for the minimum lot area, height and lot-occupancy limits.
Development standards in R-1-B
Maximum height
40 ft
Maximum stories
3
Maximum lot coverage
40%
Minimum lot size
5000 sq ft
Minimum lot width
50 ft
Max density
1 units/acre
Front setback
15 ft
Side setback
8 ft
Rear setback
25 ft
Development governed by lot occupancy / building form, not FAR (see development-standards matrix).
Federal Heights Act (1910) limits apply: 90 ft on residential streets, 110 ft on commercial streets, 130 ft on Pennsylvania Avenue. These federal limits cannot be exceeded by any local zoning approval or PUD.
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 R-1-B
AllowedAgricultural – large uses (excluding private stable) Private stable is not permitted; Subtitle U §202.1(c)
AllowedAgricultural – residential uses (excluding private stable) Private stable is not permitted; Subtitle U §202.1(d)
AllowedCar-sharing spaces on an unimproved lot No more than two (2) spaces permitted; Subtitle U §202.1(e)
AllowedChancery existing on September 22, 1978 Subject to conditions: limited to government lawfully occupying on February 23, 1990; no additional structures; no expansion; reconstruction limited to chancery site as of February 23, 1990; Subtitle U §202.1(f)
AllowedChild development/elderly development center located in a DC public school or public recreation center operated by DC Government Written permission required from Chancellor of DC Public Schools or Director of managing government agency; Subtitle U §202.1(g)
AllowedEmergency shelter Not more than four (4) persons, not including resident supervisors or staff and their families; Subtitle U §202.1(h)
AllowedGovernment, local uses Subtitle U §202.1(i)
AllowedHealth care facility Permitted for not more than six (6) persons (not including resident supervisors or staff and their families); may accommodate seven (7) to eight (8) persons if no existing health care facility for seven (7) or more persons is within the same square or within 1,000 ft. of the subject property; Subtitle U §202.1(j)
AllowedInstitutional, religious-based uses Rescue mission and temporary revival tents are not permitted; Subtitle U §202.1(k)
AllowedPrivate garage, as a principal use Designed to house no more than two (2) motor vehicles; not exceeding 450 sq. ft.; subject to Subtitle D, Chapter 50; Subtitle U §202.1(l)
AllowedPublic education buildings and structures, public recreation and community centers, and public libraries Subject to development standards of Subtitle C, Chapter 16; Subtitle U §202.1(m)
AllowedPublic schools, reuse of a former District of Columbia public school Subject to conditions of Subtitle U § 252; Subtitle U §202.1(n)
AllowedTemporary buildings for the construction industry Must be incidental to erection of buildings or other structures permitted by this section; Subtitle U §202.1(o)
AllowedTemporary use of premises by fairs, circuses, or carnivals Subject to Title 19 DCMR, Chapter 13 (Amusements, Parks, and Recreation); Subtitle U §202.1(p)
AllowedTransportation infrastructure Must be operated directly or under contract by the District government or the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority; Subtitle U §202.1(q)
Not AllowedCorner store Permitted only in R-Use Group C as a matter of right; R-1B is in R-Use Group A and therefore this use is not permitted; Subtitle U §202.2
AllowedTwo (2) boarders within the principal dwelling Permitted as matter of right in all R zones; Subtitle U §250.1(a)
AllowedCar-sharing spaces (no more than two) Neither space may be devoted to required parking; permitted in all R zones; Subtitle U §250.1(b)
AllowedChild development home or elderly day care home Must be in caregiver's principal residence; max one sign (144 sq. in.); no stock in trade sold; max one non-resident employee; no non-domestic mechanical equipment; Subtitle U §250.1(c)
AllowedHome Occupation Subject to conditions of Subtitle U § 251; Subtitle U §250.1(d)
AllowedBusiness support and technology services Permitted as home occupation; requires Home Occupation Permit (HOP); Subtitle U §251.1(a)
AllowedChild development home (up to 6 individuals) No more than two persons not resident in dwelling unit shall be engaged or employed; Subtitle U §251.1(b)(1)
AllowedExpanded child development home (7 to 9 individuals age 15 or under) No more than 3 non-resident employees; minimum 35 sq. ft. floor area per individual; no more than 320 sq. ft. of dwelling floor area utilized; Subtitle U §251.1(b)(2)
ConditionalExpanded child development home (10 to 12 individuals age 15 or under) Permitted as special exception by Board of Zoning Adjustment under Subtitle X and Subtitle U § 251.6; minimum 35 sq. ft. floor area per individual required; Subtitle U §251.1(b)(3)
AllowedCosmetologist, hair stylist, or barber Permitted as home occupation; requires Home Occupation Permit (HOP); Subtitle U §251.1(c)
AllowedCottage food business Permitted as home occupation; requires Home Occupation Permit (HOP); Subtitle U §251.1(d)
AllowedDressmaking, sewing, and tailoring Permitted as home occupation; requires Home Occupation Permit (HOP); Subtitle U §251.1(e)
AllowedHome crafts, graphic arts, photography, and other fine arts occupations in a home studio Practiced by an individual; no more than 60% of dwelling unit floor area may be devoted to the studio; Subtitle U §251.1(f)
AllowedHome office of a businessperson, non-profit organization, sales person, or manufacturer's representative Dwelling shall not be used as a gathering point for workers on the way to another work site; Subtitle U §251.1(g)
AllowedHome office of a physician, dentist, or other health care or licensed medical professional No other medical or dental practice shall be on the site; Subtitle U §251.1(h)
AllowedHome office of a scientist, clergyman, inventor, academician, licensed health care professional (other than physician/dentist), or other professional person Permitted as home occupation; requires Home Occupation Permit (HOP); Subtitle U §251.1(i)
AllowedLodging (bed and breakfast) Dwelling must be owner-occupied as principal residence; not permitted in multiple dwelling building; breakfast only served to overnight guests; maximum 2 sleeping rooms by right (may be increased to 4 or up to 6 for historic landmark/district via § 251.6(b)); 1 parking space per 2 guest sleeping rooms required in addition to dwelling parking; Subtitle U §251.1(j)
ConditionalLodging (bed and breakfast) with more than 2 sleeping rooms (up to 4, or up to 6 for historic landmark/district) Maximum sleeping rooms may be increased to 4, or to 6 for a dwelling that is a historic landmark or in a historic district certified by Historic Preservation Office, pursuant to § 251.6(b); Subtitle U §251.1(j)(4)(A)
AllowedPractitioner performing and being paid for a service resulting in creation of a product Permitted as home occupation; applies to all home occupation practitioners; Subtitle U §251.1(k)
AllowedSales directly associated with home occupation (including yard sales, garage sales, home sales parties) Items sold must be directly associated with home occupation; up to 5 such sales per 12-month period by right; general retail sales or sales to customers without appointments prohibited; Subtitle U §251.1(l)
AllowedTutoring and instruction of not more than 5 students at one time (academic tutoring, dance, languages, culinary arts, musical instrument, and similar activities) No more than 5 students at any one time; Subtitle U §251.1(m)
AllowedHome occupation in an accessory apartment No more than 6 visitors or clients per day; no related sales; no lodging or overnight stays as part of the home occupation; Subtitle U §251.1(n)
Not AllowedAnimal sales, care, and boarding Explicitly prohibited as a home occupation use; Subtitle U §251.5(a)
Not AllowedEntertainment, assembly, and performing arts Explicitly prohibited as a home occupation use; Subtitle U §251.5(b)
Not AllowedFirearms sales Explicitly prohibited as a home occupation use; Subtitle U §251.5(c)
Not AllowedMotor vehicle sales, service, or repair Explicitly prohibited as a home occupation use; Subtitle U §251.5(d)
Not AllowedProduction, distribution, and repair Explicitly prohibited as a home occupation use; Subtitle U §251.5(e)
Not AllowedRetail sales Explicitly prohibited as a home occupation use; Subtitle U §251.5(f)
Not AllowedSexually-based business establishment Explicitly prohibited as a home occupation use; Subtitle U §251.5(g)
Not AllowedWaste-related services Explicitly prohibited as a home occupation use; Subtitle U §251.5(h)
AllowedAccessory apartment in principal dwelling Permitted as matter of right in R-1B. House must have minimum 2,000 sq. ft. gross floor area (exclusive of garage space). Accessory apartment unit may not exceed 35% of gross floor area. Additional entrance, if created, shall not face a street.; Subtitle U §253.2, 253.7(a), 253.7(b), 253.7(c)
ConditionalBalcony or projecting windows for accessory apartment Board of Zoning Adjustment may approve as special exception in R-1B.; Subtitle U §253.11
"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 D, Chapter 3
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.