Washington, DC · Title 11 DCMR (2016 Zoning Regulations)
RA-6 is not a base zone in the 2016 Zoning Regulations -- Subtitle F defines the Residential Apartment zones as RA-1 through RA-5 -- and it does not appear on the current DC zoning layer. It is retained here only so a legacy reference resolves to an honest answer rather than to another zone's standards. If a property is described as RA-6, confirm the current zoning with the DC Office of Zoning. Note: certain grandfathered, site-specific uses may apply to individual parcels (for example, a chancery in existence on September 22, 1978 under Subtitle U §202(f), or a multiple dwelling on specific squares in existence as of December 14, 2015 under §301.1(l)). These depend on parcel-specific facts; verify with the DC Office of Zoning.
Development standards in RA-6
We don't hold published dimensional standards for this zone yet — see the ordinance link below for the authoritative table.
Permitted uses in RA-6
AllowedSingle-family dwelling (detached, semi-detached, or row) Detached and semi-detached single-family are matter-of-right; row dwellings require BZA special exception. Subtitle U §201.1(a) + §421.1. NOTE (S125): ZC Order 25-08 (73 DCR, July 10, 2026) relaxed this in the RA-1 zones only; RA-6 is outside its scope and is unchanged.
ConditionalResidential flat New residential flat requires BZA special exception (only detached/semi-detached single-family is matter-of-right). Subtitle U §421.1.
ConditionalMultiple dwelling (apartment house) New apartment house requires BZA special exception review. Subtitle U §401.1(d) (excluded from matter-of-right in RA-1/RA-6) + §421 (new residential developments).
Not AllowedHotel in existence as of May 16, 1980 Excluded from matter-of-right in RA-1/RA-6 (§401.1(d) applies except in the RA-1 and RA-6 zones).
ConditionalAccessory dwelling (in an existing accessory building) May require BZA special exception as new residential development in RA-1/RA-6. Subtitle U §301.1(c) + §421.
AllowedBoarding house (up to 8 persons) Stays of 90+ days; no in-unit cooking. Subtitle U §301.1(h).
AllowedHome occupation Accessory; resident-operated, up to 4 clients/day. Subtitle U §410.1(e)/§251.
ConditionalContinuing care retirement community Special exception in RA-1/RA-6. Subtitle U §420.1(i).
ConditionalEmergency shelter Up to 4 persons matter-of-right (§202(h)); 5–25 persons by special exception (§203(i)/§420.1(f)).
ConditionalHealth care facility / medical clinic Up to 6 persons matter-of-right (§202(j)/§301.1(k)); 9–300 by special exception (§203(j)).
ConditionalChild, elderly, or daytime-care center Smaller facilities matter-of-right (§202(g)/§401.1(c),(f)/§301.1(n)); larger by special exception (§203(h)).
ConditionalReligious or institutional group residence and uses Up to 15 persons matter-of-right (§201.1(b)/§202(k)); over 15 by special exception (§203(c),(p)).
AllowedCommunity or recreation center, park, playground, or pool Conditions on lighting and parking. Subtitle U §202(m)/§401.1(e).
AllowedPublic education building or public school (including collocation) Subtitle U §202(n),(o).
ConditionalPrivate school (with staff residences) Subtitle U §203(m).
AllowedGovernment (local) use or mass transit facility Subtitle U §202(i),(r).
AllowedReuse of a former DC public school building Per §252 conditions. Subtitle U §202(s)/§252.
AllowedPrivate club with sleeping accommodations Subtitle U §401.1(b).
ConditionalArt gallery or museum Board of Zoning Adjustment conditions. Subtitle U §420.1(b).
ConditionalPerforming arts / live theater (existing theater) Subtitle U §203(l).
ConditionalCommunity service center Subtitle U §320.1(b).
ConditionalCommercial or nonresidential adjunct (in a hotel or apartment house) Hotel under 100 rooms, or apartment-house adjunct. Subtitle U §420.1(d),(g).
AllowedAgricultural use (large or residential, excluding private stable) Subtitle U §202(c),(d).
ConditionalPrivate stable Accessory use. Subtitle U §203(n).
AllowedCommunity solar facility Roof array matter-of-right; ground array has conditions (larger = special exception §203(f)). Subtitle U §201.1(c).
AllowedCar-sharing spaces (up to 2, unimproved lot) Subtitle U §202(e).
AllowedPrivate garage (principal use, up to 2 cars) Subtitle U §202(l).
ConditionalParking (principal or off-site accessory) Subtitle U §203(k).
Not AllowedParking garage (principal use) A principal-use parking garage (on a lot other than an alley lot) is permitted only in RA-5, by special exception; not permitted in other RA zones. Subtitle U §420.1(h).
ConditionalUtility use Subtitle U §202/§203(q).
AllowedTemporary use (construction office; fair, circus, or carnival) Time-limited. Subtitle U §202(p),(q).
ConditionalChancery Special exception in most RA zones (§203(b)); matter-of-right in RA-4/RA-5 (§401.2).
Not AllowedCorner store Not permitted in RA zones. Subtitle U §401.1(a) (excluded) / §420.1(c).
Not AllowedDrive-through accessory to any use Not permitted. Subtitle U §420.1(e).
"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.
Standards as recorded by ZoneScore: 11 DCMR Subtitle F (RA zones), RA-6
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.