Figures marked official zoning GIS record come from the jurisdiction's own zoning map layer, not from the text of the code. That record is dated and linked above, and it is a summary of the ordinance rather than the ordinance itself — where a standard is banded or was recently amended, the code text governs. Figures citing a section are quoted from the code directly.
By-right FAR varies by building type: Non-Residential 0.5; Residential 6
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 SEFC-2
AllowedAll uses permitted as matter-of-right or special exception in RA-5 zone (Subtitle U Chapter 4, §401 and §420) SEFC-2 and SEFC-3 follow RA-5 use provisions per Subtitle K §238.1, except as modified by §238.2 and §238.3. See RA-5 zone entries for the full inherited use list.
Not AllowedDetached, semi-detached, or rowhouse dwelling Notwithstanding RA-5 baseline, not permitted in SEFC-2 and SEFC-3; Subtitle K §238.2(a)
Not AllowedParking lot or garage as principal use at or above grade (except temporary use per §238.3) Notwithstanding RA-5 baseline, not permitted except as temporary use by Zoning Commission approval per §238.3; Subtitle K §238.2(b)
Not AllowedSanitarium Notwithstanding RA-5 baseline, not permitted in SEFC-2 and SEFC-3; Subtitle K §238.2(c)
Not AllowedRA-5 special exception uses not listed in §238.3 (unless permitted as preferred uses per §236) RA-5 special exception uses not specifically listed for Zoning Commission approval in §238.3 are not permitted in SEFC-2/3 unless they qualify as preferred uses per §236; Subtitle K §238.2(d)
ConditionalBuildings/structures abutting SEFC-4 open space area (Zoning Commission approval required) Zoning Commission review and approval required per §241-242; excludes buildings abutting SEFC-4 development area including Building 160 and additions; Subtitle K §238.3(a)
ConditionalArts, design, and creation; entertainment/assembly/performing arts; lodging (combined max 1.0 FAR in SEFC-2/3) Zoning Commission approval required; overall cap of 1.0 FAR maximum for these use groups within SEFC-2/3; Subtitle K §238.3(b)
ConditionalMedical care Zoning Commission approval required; Subtitle K §238.3(c)
ConditionalInstitutional, religious based (including parsonage, vicarage, rectory, Sunday school, related programs) Zoning Commission approval required; Subtitle K §238.3(d)
ConditionalPrivate club, lodge, fraternity house, sorority house, or dormitory Zoning Commission approval required; Subtitle K §238.3(e)
ConditionalEducation, private and public (including trade school; except trapeze school) Zoning Commission approval required; trapeze school has separate provisions per §238.5; Subtitle K §238.3(f)
ConditionalTemporary parking lot or garage as principal use at or above grade (maximum 5-year approval, renewable) Zoning Commission approval required; max 5-year approval period, renewable; Subtitle K §238.3(g)
ConditionalSolid, freestanding wall and/or security gate exceeding 4 ft height Zoning Commission approval required; Subtitle K §238.3(h)
ConditionalEducation, college/university Zoning Commission approval required; Subtitle K §238.3(i)
ConditionalDaytime care Zoning Commission approval required; Subtitle K §238.3(j)
ConditionalOffice uses including chanceries (SEFC-3 zone only) Zoning Commission approval required; permitted in SEFC-3 zone only, not SEFC-2; Subtitle K §238.3(k)
ConditionalTrapeze school and aerial performing arts center (Parcel O only, until December 31, 2015 as matter-of-right; thereafter ZC approval) Matter-of-right on Parcel O until December 31, 2015 (no parking required during that period); continuation after December 31, 2015 requires Zoning Commission approval per §238.6; Subtitle K §238.5-238.6
"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.
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.