Washington, DC · Title 11 DCMR (2016 Zoning Regulations)
Supports the Development of the Union Station North Comprehensive Plan
Development standards in USN
Maximum FAR
6.5
Maximum height
130 ft
By-right FAR varies by building type: Non-Residential 5.5; Residential 6.5
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 USN
AllowedAll uses permitted as matter-of-right in R, RF, and RA zones, and all MU-Use Group E matter-of-right uses MU-Use Group F inherits full R/RF/RA and MU-Use Group E baseline; Subtitle U §515.1(a)
AllowedAmusement enterprise Subtitle U §515.1(b)
AllowedCollege or university (including hospital, dormitory, fraternity, sorority on campus) Academic institution of higher learning; Subtitle U §515.1(c)
AllowedYouth Rehabilitation Home / Adult Rehabilitation Home Subtitle U §515.1(d)
AllowedCommunity Residence Facility Subtitle U §515.1(e)
AllowedEating and drinking establishments (no restrictions) All eating and drinking establishments permitted without restriction; Subtitle U §515.1(f)
AllowedElectronic Equipment Facility (EEF) – up to 25% of above-ground GFA Subtitle U §515.1(g)(1)
AllowedElectronic Equipment Facility (EEF) – located below ground floor Subtitle U §515.1(g)(2)
AllowedEmergency shelter Subtitle U §515.1(h)
AllowedGasoline service station (MU-15 zone only; not within 25 ft of R/RF/RA unless separated by street or alley) Permitted only in MU-15 zone; this zone (USN/NHR/NYE) is not MU-15, so this use is not applicable as matter-of-right here; Subtitle U §515.1(i)
AllowedHealth Care Facility Subtitle U §515.1(j)
AllowedLaundry or dry cleaning establishment (up to 5,000 sq ft) Subtitle U §515.1(k)
AllowedMassage establishment as principal use (MU-9 zone only; not within 200 ft of R/RF/RA) Permitted only in MU-9 zone; this zone (USN/NHR/NYE) is not MU-9, so this use is not applicable as matter-of-right here; may be permitted as special exception per §516.1(f); Subtitle U §515.1(l)
AllowedMotorcycle sales and repair (MU-9 zone only; within building; not within 50 ft of R/RF/RA/MU-1/MU-2) Permitted only in MU-9 zone; this zone (USN/NHR/NYE) is not MU-9, so this use is not applicable as matter-of-right here; Subtitle U §515.1(m)
AllowedPrinting, lithographing, or photoengraving establishment (no GFA limit) Subtitle U §515.1(n)
AllowedAccessory uses customarily incidental and subordinate to permitted uses Subtitle U §515.1(o)
AllowedYouth Residential Care Home Subtitle U §515.1(p)
ConditionalAny MU-Use Group F matter-of-right use that does not comply with required conditions Special exception; except firearms retail sales establishments; Subtitle U §516.1(a)
ConditionalAnimal care and animal sales (not otherwise permitted as matter-of-right or special exception) Special exception; not within 25 ft of residential use or residential zone; no objectionable noise/odor/waste; industry-standard sound-absorbing materials; impervious floor/wall materials; no external yards (except Animal Shelter min 200 ft from residential); closed waste containers; HEPA air filtration; BZA may impose additional requirements; Subtitle U §516.1(b)
ConditionalElectronic Equipment Facility (EEF) exceeding 25% of above-ground GFA Special exception; max 50% of GFA unless in planned unit development; must not inhibit neighborhood revitalization, reduce vibrant streetscapes, deplete street life, or inhibit pedestrian movement; BZA considers absence of retail, security elements impairing street life, inability to adapt for future uses; BZA may impose design/landscaping/parking requirements; Subtitle U §516.1(c)
ConditionalGasoline service station (new or enlarged, where not permitted as matter-of-right) Special exception; not within 25 ft of residential zone; shall not create dangerous traffic conditions; parking spaces may be arranged so not all accessible at all times; Subtitle U §516.1(d)
ConditionalLaundry or dry cleaning establishment exceeding 5,000 sq ft Special exception; noise/odor shall not adversely affect neighborhood; no dangerous traffic conditions; BZA may impose additional requirements; Subtitle U §516.1(e)
ConditionalMassage establishment as principal use (where not permitted as matter-of-right) Special exception; not within 200 ft of R/RF/RA zone; compatible with other uses; not objectionable due to noise/traffic; no adverse impact on religious/educational/governmental facilities; Subtitle U §516.1(f)
ConditionalPublic utility pumping station Special exception; BZA may require setbacks, screening, or other safeguards; Subtitle U §516.1(g)
ConditionalRetail, large format (50,000+ sq ft single tenant) Special exception; subject to conditions of Subtitle U §511.1(h); Subtitle U §516.1(h)
ConditionalSexually-oriented business establishment (MU-9 or MU-15 zone only) Special exception; not within 600 ft of R/RF/RA/MU-1/MU-2 zone; not within 600 ft of church/school/library/playground; not within 300 ft of any other SOB; no exterior display; compatible with area; not objectionable due to noise/traffic; no adverse impact on religious/educational/governmental facilities; NOTE: USN/NHR/NYE are not MU-9 or MU-15 -- this use is likely not applicable; Subtitle U §516.1(i)
ConditionalVeterinary boarding hospital Special exception; max 50% GFA for boarding; no objectionable noise/odor/waste; shall not abut residential use or zone unless in mixed-use building with noise mitigation; no external yards; closed waste containers; HEPA air filtration; impervious floor/wall materials; pet grooming/supplies/convalescence boarding permitted as accessory; BZA may impose additional requirements; Subtitle U §516.1(j)
AllowedArts – Art exhibition areas (curated by gallery/professional, open 5 days/week 50 weeks/year) Max 5% of 0.5 FAR; open to public 5 days/week 50 weeks/year; exhibitions change min 4 times/year; min 2 public sales annually; Subtitle U §700.6(a)
AllowedArts – Artisan production (architectural production, glass working, jewelry making, metalworking, woodworking/furniture) Subtitle U §700.6(b)
AllowedArts – Arts-retail (art gallery, art services, art supplies, bookstores, musical instruments, recordings, picture framing, printmaking, darkroom/photographic) Subtitle U §700.6(c)
AllowedArts – Artist living and production (artist live-work space, artist studio, multi-artist live-work space) Subtitle U §700.6(d)
AllowedArts – Eating and drinking establishments Subtitle U §700.6(f)
AllowedArts – Education and multi-function (art center, art incubator, art/performing arts school, library) Subtitle U §700.6(g)
AllowedArts – Multi-media studio Subtitle U §700.6(h)
AllowedArts – Museum Subtitle U §700.6(i)
AllowedArts – Performing arts (administrative offices, cabaret, movie theater, dinner theater, legitimate theater, ticket office/booking agency, theater/assembly/concert hall/auditorium) Subtitle U §700.6(j)
"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.