Washington, DC · Title 11 DCMR (2016 Zoning Regulations)
Permits medium density residential development with limited ground floor retail in the vicinity of the waterfront park open space area
Development standards in SEFC-3
Maximum FAR
3.5
Maximum height
90 ft
Maximum lot coverage
75%
Rear setback
12 ft
By-right FAR varies by building type: Non-Residential 0.5; Residential 3.5
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 SEFC-3
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.
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.