Washington, DC · Title 11 DCMR (2016 Zoning Regulations)
Preserves mix of detached, semi-detached and attached dwellings and permits attached row houses on small lots
Development standards in R-3/GT
Maximum height
35 ft
Subtitle D § 1101.1
Maximum stories
3
Subtitle D § 1101.1
Minimum lot size
4000 sq ft
Subtitle D § 202.1
Rear setback
20 ft
Subtitle D § 207.1
Development governed by lot occupancy, not FAR -- and the lot occupancy itself is set by STRUCTURE TYPE rather than one figure for the zone, so no single percentage is served. See the cited table for the tier that applies to what you intend to build.
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 R-3/GT
AllowedAgricultural – large uses (excluding private stable) Private stable is excluded; Subtitle U §202.1(c)
AllowedAgricultural – residential uses (excluding private stable) Private stable is excluded; 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 that lawfully occupied on February 23, 1990; no additional/accessory structures; no expansion of exterior walls, height, bulk, or GFA; reconstruction after destruction limited to chancery site as of February 23, 1990; reconstruction not subject to Subtitle C, Chapter 2; 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(i)
AllowedGovernment, local uses Subtitle U §202.1(j)
AllowedHealth care facility Up to six (6) persons (not including resident supervisors/staff/families) by right; seven (7) to eight (8) persons permitted provided no existing health care facility for seven (7) or more persons is in the same square or within 1,000 ft. of any portion of the subject property; Subtitle U §202.1(k)
AllowedInstitutional, religious-based uses Rescue mission and temporary revival tents are not included; Subtitle U §202.1(l)
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(m)
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(n)
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(p)
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 WMATA; Subtitle U §202.1(r)
AllowedCorner store Corner store is permitted as a matter of right in R-3 (R-Use Group C) subject to the conditions of Subtitle U §254. Subtitle U §202.2.
AllowedTwo (2) boarders within the principal dwelling Permitted as matter of right in all R zones including R-3; Subtitle U §250.1(b)
AllowedCar-sharing spaces (no more than two) Neither space may be a space devoted to required parking; permitted in all R zones including R-3; Subtitle U §250.1(c)
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(d)
AllowedHome Occupation Subject to conditions of Subtitle U § 251; permitted in all R zones including R-3; Subtitle U §250.1(d)
AllowedBusiness support and technology services Permitted as home occupation; subject to general HOP requirements in § 251.2 and § 251.3; Subtitle U §251.1(a)
AllowedChild development home (up to 6 individuals, 15 years of age or less) No more than two (2) non-resident persons may be engaged or employed; Subtitle U §251.1(b)(1)
AllowedExpanded child development home (7 to 9 individuals, 15 years of age or less) No more than three (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, 15 years of age or less) Permitted as special exception by Board of Zoning Adjustment under Subtitle X and § 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; subject to general HOP requirements; Subtitle U §251.1(c)
AllowedCottage food business Permitted as home occupation; subject to general HOP requirements; Subtitle U §251.1(d)
AllowedDressmaking, sewing, and tailoring Permitted as home occupation; subject to general HOP requirements; Subtitle U §251.1(e)
AllowedHome crafts, graphic arts, photography, and other fine arts occupations Practiced by an individual in a home studio; 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 permitted on the site; Subtitle U §251.1(h)
AllowedHome office of a scientist, clergyman, inventor, academician, licensed health care professional (other than § 251.1(h)), or other professional person Permitted as home occupation; subject to general HOP requirements; Subtitle U §251.1(i)
AllowedLodging (bed and breakfast, up to 2 sleeping rooms by right) 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; one parking space per two guest sleeping rooms required in addition to required dwelling parking; Subtitle U §251.1(j)
ConditionalLodging (bed and breakfast, 3 to 4 sleeping rooms, or up to 6 in a qualifying historic landmark/district) Maximum may be increased to 4 sleeping rooms, or 6 in a dwelling that is a historic landmark or in a historic district certified by Historic Preservation Office, via § 251.6(b); number reduced by one for each person rooming/boarding 30+ days; Subtitle U §251.1(j)(4)(A)
AllowedProfessional service resulting in creation of a product (practitioner performing and being paid for a service) A practitioner may perform and be paid for a service even if the service results in the creation of a product; Subtitle U §251.1(k)
AllowedSales directly associated with home occupation (yard sales, garage sales, home sales parties — up to 5 per 12-month period) Up to 5 such sales per 12-month period as matter of right; items sold must be directly associated with home occupation; general retail sales or sales without appointments prohibited; Subtitle U §251.1(l)
ConditionalSales directly associated with home occupation (6th sale in a 12-month period) One additional sale (total of 6) may be permitted if approved by the Board of Zoning Adjustment 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; limited to no more than 5 students at any one time; Subtitle U §251.1(m)
AllowedHome occupation in an accessory apartment Limited to 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 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; general retail or sales without appointments also prohibited under § 251.1(l)(3); 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)
AllowedAccessory apartment in a principal dwelling Permitted as a matter of right in R-3 (not excluded like R-19/R-20). Minimum GFA of 1,200 sq. ft. required. Accessory apartment unit may not exceed 35% of gross floor area. Additional entrance may be located on a street-facing wall if below main level of house; if in historic district, requires compatibility determination.; Subtitle U §253.2, 253.7(a), 253.7(b), 253.7(c), 253.7(d)
ConditionalBalcony or projecting windows for accessory apartment Inclusion of a balcony or projecting windows for the accessory apartment requires special exception approval by the Board of Zoning Adjustment.; Subtitle U §253.11
AllowedCorner Store – Fresh Food Market or Grocery Store (devoted primarily to retail sale of food) Permitted as matter of right in R-3 subject to: max 1,200 sq ft (ground story/cellar), location at intersection of two generally perpendicular streets, not within 500 ft of more than 1 other eating/drinking corner store or more than 3 other retail/general service/arts corner stores, not within 500 ft of MU or NC zone property line, on interior or through lot with building built prior to May 12 1958 for nonresidential use (if on interior/through lot), no alley lot, no more than 1 DU in building, no on-site cooking or grease traps, no alcohol for on-site consumption, no external storage, no dry cleaning chemicals, one non-illuminated flush-mounted sign only, hours 7am–9pm, min 40% sales area for general food products, min 20% retail for perishables.; Subtitle U §254.1, 254.13
ConditionalCorner Store – Fresh Food Market or Grocery Store: alcohol for off-site consumption (max 15% of ground floor gross floor area) Within a by-right fresh food market/grocery corner store in R-3, up to 15% of ground floor gross floor area may be devoted to sale of alcohol for off-site consumption only when approved as a special exception by the Board of Zoning Adjustment.; Subtitle U §254.13(e)
ConditionalCorner Store – Retail, General Service, Arts Design and Creation, or Eating and Drinking Establishment (not qualifying as fresh food market/grocery) Permitted in R-3 as a special exception approved by the Board of Zoning Adjustment under Subtitle X, Chapter 9. Must meet location and operational requirements of 254.5–254.12, including: max 1,200 sq ft, intersection lot, not within 500 ft of MU or NC zone property line, on interior/through lot built prior to May 12 1958 for nonresidential use (if interior/through lot), no alley lot, no more than 1 DU in building, no on-site cooking or grease traps, no alcohol for on-site consumption, no external storage, no dry cleaning chemicals, one non-illuminated flush-mounted sign. Alcohol for off-site consumption limited to max 15% of ground floor gross floor area.; Subtitle U §254.1, 254.14
Not AllowedCorner Store – on an alley lot Prohibited in all zones including R-3 per 254.7(a).; Subtitle U §254.7(a)
Not AllowedCorner Store – on a lot or within a building containing more than one dwelling unit or another corner store Prohibited in all zones including R-3 per 254.7(b).; Subtitle U §254.7(b)
Not AllowedCorner Store – on an R-zoned lot within Squares 1327, 1350, 1351, 1352, or 1353 Prohibited in R-3 (and all R zones) if the lot falls within these specific squares per 254.7(d).; Subtitle U §254.7(d)
"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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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.