Washington, DC · Title 11 DCMR (2016 Zoning Regulations)
The W-1 zone applies to the developed waterfront areas of the District, including the Southwest Waterfront (The Wharf) and the Anacostia waterfront. It allows mixed retail, office, hotel, residential, and cultural uses at moderate densities. Heights are constrained both by the Federal Heights Act and by waterfront design guidelines that protect sight lines and public access to water. This is one of DC's most desirable development zones.
Development standards in W-1
We don't hold published dimensional standards for this zone yet — see the ordinance link below for the authoritative table.
Permitted uses in W-1
AllowedHealth care facility for not more than six (6) persons (not including resident supervisors or staff and their families); or for not more than eight (8) persons (including resident supervisors or staff and their families) Number of persons being cared for shall not exceed six (6); Subtitle U §517.1(b)
AllowedTemporary surface parking lot accessory to the Ballpark on specified Squares Permitted on Squares 603, 605, 657, 660, 661, 662, 662E, 664, 665, 700, 701, 882 and specified lots, in accordance with Subtitle C § 718; notwithstanding Subtitle U § 519; Subtitle U §517.1(c)(1)
ConditionalAdditional temporary surface parking spaces accessory to the Ballpark on specified Squares (after cumulative parking limit is met) Permitted as a special exception if approved by the Board of Zoning Adjustment pursuant to Subtitle C § 718.7, when cumulative parking limit under Subtitle C § 718.2 is met; Subtitle U §517.1(c)(1)
AllowedSurface parking lot accessory to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority garage facility (Square 700, Lot 857) on Square 661, Lot 805 Permitted as a temporary use for a maximum of five (5) years from certificate of occupancy issuance; not subject to proximity requirements; five-year period renewable by the Zoning Commission; Subtitle U §517.1(c)(3)
AllowedSurface parking lot accessory to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority garage facility (Square 700, Lot 857) on Square 700, Lot 46 Permitted as a temporary use for a maximum of three (3) years from certificate of occupancy issuance; not subject to proximity requirements; three-year period renewable by the Zoning Commission; Subtitle U §517.1(c)(4)
ConditionalAutomobile or motorcycle sales or repair Must not be objectionable due to noise/fumes, no dangerous traffic, all facilities within building, no portion within 50 ft. of certain residential/mixed-use zones; Subtitle U §518.1(a)
ConditionalAntenna tower or monopole Subtitle U §518.1(b)
ConditionalBowling alley Must not be within 25 ft. of a residential zone unless separated by street or alley; soundproofing may be required; Subtitle U §518.1(c)
ConditionalBuilding service trade, including but not limited to plumber, electrician, exterminator, or air conditioning mechanic Subtitle U §518.1(d)
ConditionalCollege or university (academic institution of higher learning), including a college or university hospital, dormitory, fraternity, or sorority house proposed to be located on the campus Subject to conditions of Subtitle X; Subtitle U §518.1(e)
ConditionalEmergency shelter for five (5) to twenty-five (25) persons Not including resident supervisors or staff and their families; subject to standards and conditions of Subtitle U § 203.1(h); Subtitle U §518.1(f)
ConditionalExperimental research or testing laboratory Subtitle U §518.1(g)
ConditionalHealth care facility for sixteen (16) to three hundred (300) persons Not including resident supervisors or staff and their families; subject to standards and conditions of Subtitle U § 203.1(k); Subtitle U §518.1(h)
ConditionalHospital or clinic use Board must find use appropriate for zone objectives; must not be objectionable due to noise/traffic/parking; demonstrated need required; detailed plan required; Subtitle U §518.1(i)
ConditionalLight manufacturing, processing, fabricating, or milling Must comply with PDR zone external effects standards, no adverse effects on adjoining properties, no dangerous traffic, adequate off-street parking, no outdoor storage of materials; Subtitle U §518.1(j)
ConditionalMetropolitan Police Department vehicle maintenance facility or equestrian unit Must be located so as not to become objectionable to adjoining or nearby property because of noise or fumes; Subtitle U §518.1(k)
ConditionalRetail, large format Subject to conditions of Subtitle U § 511.1(j); Subtitle U §518.1(l)
ConditionalUtilities New freestanding structures for optical transmission nodes must be compatible with surroundings and have no advertisement; Board may impose setback/screening requirements; Subtitle U §518.1(m)
ConditionalWarehouse or wholesaler use Subtitle U §518.1(n)
Not AllowedAny establishment that has as a principal use the administration of massages Principal use massage administration; Subtitle U §519.1(a)
Not AllowedCar wash As a principal use; Subtitle U §519.1(d)
Not AllowedCarting, express, moving, or hauling terminal or yard Except a cooperative central delivery or pick-up system for goods or merchandise solely to serve businesses in the area; Subtitle U §519.1(e)
Not AllowedChemical manufacturing, storage, or distribution Subtitle U §519.1(f)
Not AllowedDrive-through operation As either a principal or accessory use; Subtitle U §519.1(g)
Not AllowedEnameling, plating, or painting As a principal use; except artist's studio; Subtitle U §519.1(h)
Not AllowedFirearms retail sales establishments As a principal or an accessory use; Subtitle U §519.1(i)
Not AllowedGasoline service station Subtitle U §519.1(j)
Not AllowedMaterial salvage Subtitle U §519.1(k)
Not AllowedOutdoor material storage Subtitle U §519.1(m)
Not AllowedPacking or crating operations As a principal use; Subtitle U §519.1(n)
Not AllowedParking lot Except a temporary surface parking lot permitted pursuant to Subtitle U § 517.1(c); Subtitle U §519.1(o)
Not AllowedSexually-oriented business establishment Subtitle U §519.1(p)
Not AllowedSmelting or rendering Subtitle U §519.1(q)
Not AllowedAnimal care and boarding Except for a veterinary office or hospital; Subtitle U §519.1(r)
"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 C, Chapter 11 (Waterfront) and Subtitle I
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.