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: All Other Buildings & Structures 2.5
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 StE-3
AllowedAgriculture, large and residential Subtitle K §612.1(a)
AllowedAnimal sales, care, and boarding Subtitle K §612.1(b)
AllowedAntennas Subtitle K §612.1(c)
AllowedArts, design, and creation Subtitle K §612.1(d)
AllowedChancery Subtitle K §612.1(e)
AllowedCommunity solar facility (roof-mounted, any size) Subtitle K §612.1(f)(1)
AllowedCommunity solar facility (ground-mounted, up to 20 ft height, up to 1.5 acres panel face area) Must meet yard and height standards; panels sited no less than 40 ft from adjacent R/RF/RA-1 zone; Subtitle K §612.1(f)(2)
AllowedDaytime care Subtitle K §612.1(g)
AllowedEating and drinking establishments Subtitle K §612.1(h)
AllowedEducation uses (public and private schools, colleges/universities, trade schools) Subtitle K §612.1(i)
AllowedEmergency shelter (up to 4 persons, except StE-2 where no numeric limit applies) Not including resident supervisors or staff and their families; StE-2 zone has no numeric limit as matter-of-right; Subtitle K §612.1(j)
AllowedEntertainment, assembly, and performing arts Subtitle K §612.1(k)
AllowedGovernment, large scale and local Subtitle K §612.1(l)
AllowedMedical care Subtitle K §612.1(m)
AllowedInstitutional, general and religious Subtitle K §612.1(n)
AllowedLodging Subtitle K §612.1(o)
AllowedMotor vehicle-related sales and services Subtitle K §612.1(p)
AllowedOffice Subtitle K §612.1(q)
AllowedParking Subtitle K §612.1(r)
AllowedParks and recreation Subtitle K §612.1(s)
AllowedProduction, distribution, and repair Subtitle K §612.1(t)
AllowedResidential Subtitle K §612.1(u)
AllowedRetail Subtitle K §612.1(v)
AllowedService, general and financial Subtitle K §612.1(w)
AllowedTransportation infrastructure Subtitle K §612.1(x)
AllowedUtility (basic) Subtitle K §612.1(y)
AllowedAccessory uses customarily incidental and subordinate to principal uses Subject to development standards of Subtitle K §§602-606; Subtitle K §616.1
AllowedShort-Term Rental (STR) as accessory use to principal residential use Subtitle K §616.2
ConditionalCommunity-based institutional facility (CBIF) for 7–15 persons Special exception (except StE-2 where permitted as matter-of-right); no other CBIF for 7+ persons within 500 ft; adequate screened parking required; must meet code/licensing; BZA may approve more than one within 500 ft only if cumulative effect will not adversely impact neighborhood; BZA may approve for more than 15 persons only if District program goals cannot be achieved at smaller size; Subtitle K §614.1(b)
ConditionalCommunity solar facility (not meeting §612.1(f) matter-of-right conditions) Special exception; landscaped area min 5 ft wide facing public space/residential/parks; native trees maintained; diverse native plantings; trees min 6 ft at planting; application referred to DC Dept of Energy and Environment; Subtitle K §614.1(c)
ConditionalEmergency shelter (5–15 persons) Special exception (except StE-2 where matter-of-right per §612.1(j)); no other emergency shelter for 7+ persons within 500 ft; adequate screened parking required; must meet code/licensing; BZA may approve more than one within 500 ft only if cumulative effect will not adversely impact neighborhood; BZA may approve for more than 15 persons only if District program goals cannot be achieved at smaller size; Subtitle K §614.1(d)
Not AllowedMassage establishment (principal use) Prohibited as both principal and accessory use; Subtitle K §615.1(a)
Not AllowedAny industrial use first permitted in PDR-4 zone Prohibited as both principal and accessory use; Subtitle K §615.1(b)
Not AllowedCorrectional facility Prohibited as both principal and accessory use; Subtitle K §615.1(c)
Not AllowedDrive-through establishment Any establishment where goods are sold/rented or services rendered directly to occupants of motor vehicles while in vehicles; Subtitle K §615.1(d)
Not AllowedFirearm sales (gun store, ammunition sales, pawn shop carrying guns, weaponry store) Prohibited as both principal and accessory use; Subtitle K §615.1(e)
Not AllowedSelf-service storage establishment Prohibited as both principal and accessory use; Subtitle K §615.1(f)
Not AllowedSexually-oriented business establishment Prohibited as both principal and accessory use; Subtitle K §615.1(g)
Not AllowedVehicle repair and servicing (gas stations, car washes, quick lubrication, emission test sites) Includes full-serve and mini-serve gas stations, unattended key card stations, car washes, quick lubrication services, and vehicle emission test sites; Subtitle K §615.1(h)
Not AllowedVehicle sales Prohibited as both principal and accessory use; Subtitle K §615.1(i)
"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.