Washington, DC · Title 11 DCMR (2016 Zoning Regulations)
The RA-7 zone is DC's highest-density residential apartment zone, with height up to 90 feet (the maximum permitted on residential streets under the Federal Heights Act). It is applied to the most transit-intensive residential locations. IZ mandatory. Represents peak residential redevelopment potential in DC. Note: in the RA-7 zone, Subtitle U §422.2 additionally prohibits (matter-of-right and by special exception) a public utility pumping station, storage of wares and goods on an alley lot, and a telecommunications facility.
Development standards in RA-7
We don't hold published dimensional standards for this zone yet — see the ordinance link below for the authoritative table.
Permitted uses in RA-7
AllowedSingle-family dwelling (detached, semi-detached, or row) Principal dwelling; building type per use group. Subtitle U §201.1(a) via §301.1(a)/§401.1(a).
AllowedResidential flat Up to 2 principal dwelling units. Subtitle U §301.1(b) via §401.1(a).
AllowedHotel in existence as of May 16, 1980 Matter-of-right; gross floor area and function/exhibit/commercial-adjunct area may not be increased (may be repaired, renovated, remodeled, or structurally altered). Subtitle U §401.1(d)(2).
AllowedAccessory dwelling (in an existing accessory building) Conditions on access and a pre-2013 accessory building. Subtitle U §301.1(c) via §401.1(a).
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.
AllowedContinuing care retirement community Subtitle U §401.1(d)(3).
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-7
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.