Washington, DC · Title 11 DCMR (2016 Zoning Regulations)
Promotes the conservation, enhancement, and stability of the low-density, single household neighborhood for housing and neighborhood uses
Development standards in R-1B/SH
Maximum height
40 ft
Maximum stories
3
Maximum lot coverage
40%
Minimum lot size
5000 sq ft
Minimum lot width
50 ft
Side setback
8 ft
Rear setback
25 ft
Development governed by lot occupancy / building form, not FAR (see development-standards matrix).
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-1B/SH
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 a space 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; permitted in all R zones; Subtitle U §250.1(d)
AllowedBusiness support and technology services Permitted as home occupation; requires HOP; Subtitle U §251.1(a)
AllowedChild development home (up to 6 individuals, 15 years of age or less) No more than 2 non-resident persons engaged or employed; requires HOP; Subtitle U §251.1(b)(1)
AllowedExpanded child development home (7 to 9 individuals, 15 years of age or less) No more than 3 non-resident persons employed; min 35 sq ft floor area per individual; max 320 sq ft of dwelling floor area utilized; requires HOP; Subtitle U §251.1(b)(2)
ConditionalExpanded child development home (10 to 12 individuals, 15 years of age or less) Permitted as special exception by BZA under Subtitle X and Subtitle U § 251.6; min 35 sq ft floor area per individual required; Subtitle U §251.1(b)(3)
AllowedCosmetologist, hair stylist, or barber Permitted as home occupation; requires HOP; Subtitle U §251.1(c)
AllowedCottage food business Permitted as home occupation; requires HOP; Subtitle U §251.1(d)
AllowedDressmaking, sewing, and tailoring Permitted as home occupation; requires HOP; Subtitle U §251.1(e)
AllowedHome crafts, graphic arts, photography, and other fine arts occupations in a home studio No more than 60% of dwelling unit floor area may be devoted to the studio; requires HOP; 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 gathering point for workers on way to another work site; requires HOP; 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 permitted on site; requires HOP; 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 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 meal served to overnight guests; max 2 sleeping rooms by right (may be increased to 4 or up to 6 for historic landmark/district via § 251.6(b)); reduced by 1 for each long-term boarder; no cooking in rented rooms; 1 parking space per 2 guest sleeping rooms required; requires HOP; Subtitle U §251.1(j)
ConditionalLodging – increased sleeping rooms (3 to 4, or up to 6 for historic landmark/contributing structure) Maximum sleeping rooms may be increased to 4, or to 6 for historic landmark or contributing historic district structure, by BZA under § 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; requires HOP; Subtitle U §251.1(k)
AllowedSales directly associated with home occupation (including yard sales, garage sales, home sales parties – up to 5 per 12-month period) Items sold must be directly associated with the home occupation; up to 5 sales per 12-month period by right; general retail sales or sales without appointments not permitted; requires HOP; Subtitle U §251.1(l)
ConditionalSales directly associated with home occupation – 6th sale in 12-month period One additional sale (6th total) may be permitted if approved by BZA pursuant to § 251.6; Subtitle U §251.1(l)(2)
AllowedTutoring and instruction (not more than 5 students at one time) Includes academic tutoring, dance, languages, culinary arts, musical instrument and similar activities; max 5 students at one time; requires HOP; Subtitle U §251.1(m)
AllowedHome occupation in an accessory apartment Max 6 visitors or clients per day; no related sales; no lodging or overnight stays as part of home occupation; requires HOP; Subtitle U §251.1(n)
Not AllowedAnimal sales, care, and boarding Explicitly prohibited as a home occupation under § 251.5; Subtitle U §251.5(a)
Not AllowedEntertainment, assembly, and performing arts Explicitly prohibited as a home occupation under § 251.5; Subtitle U §251.5(b)
Not AllowedFirearms sales Explicitly prohibited as a home occupation under § 251.5; Subtitle U §251.5(c)
Not AllowedMotor vehicle sales, service, or repair Explicitly prohibited as a home occupation under § 251.5; Subtitle U §251.5(d)
Not AllowedProduction, distribution, and repair Explicitly prohibited as a home occupation under § 251.5; Subtitle U §251.5(e)
Not AllowedRetail sales Explicitly prohibited as a home occupation under § 251.5; Subtitle U §251.5(f)
Not AllowedSexually-based business establishment Explicitly prohibited as a home occupation under § 251.5; Subtitle U §251.5(g)
Not AllowedWaste-related services Explicitly prohibited as a home occupation under § 251.5; Subtitle U §251.5(h)
"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.