District of Columbia • US zoning
Washington zoning guide
An introduction to DC Zoning Regulations of 2016, selected zoning districts, overlays and the review process in Washington. Confirm the current zoning designation and applicable provisions for the parcel.
Use this overview to plan your research. Verify current requirements and site-specific conditions against the relevant primary sources. Read our data sources, coverage and limits guide.
Official ordinance and source-check scope
Official-versus-courtesy code source distinction and the conditional Height Act framework checked. The blanket height and Pennsylvania Avenue claims have been removed. District use descriptions, dimensions and project approval routes have not been verified. Checked 2026-09-12.
Before applying a number to a parcel
Confirm the current mapped district, lot geometry, permitted use, qualifying housing category, special districts and overlays. A listed FAR example is not a buildable floor-area calculation. Height, setbacks, exclusions, bonuses and other controls require their own checks.
Selected district references
| Code | District reference | FAR source example | Height | Review limits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| R-1-A | Single Family Detached | Check current code; no verified value here | Check mapped height/bulk district and applicable exceptions | Confirm the mapped district, permitted uses, special provisions and project eligibility in the official source. |
| RF-1 | Residential Flat | Check current code; no verified value here | Check mapped height/bulk district and applicable exceptions | Confirm the mapped district, permitted uses, special provisions and project eligibility in the official source. |
| RA-2 | Residential Apartment Moderate | Check current code; no verified value here | Check mapped height/bulk district and applicable exceptions | Confirm the mapped district, permitted uses, special provisions and project eligibility in the official source. |
| MU-4 | Mixed-Use Moderate Density | Check current code; no verified value here | Check mapped height/bulk district and applicable exceptions | Confirm the mapped district, permitted uses, special provisions and project eligibility in the official source. |
| D-3 | Downtown Sub-Area C | Check current code; no verified value here | Check mapped height/bulk district and applicable exceptions | Confirm the mapped district, permitted uses, special provisions and project eligibility in the official source. |
| PDR-3 | Production, Distribution, Repair | Check current code; no verified value here | Check mapped height/bulk district and applicable exceptions | Confirm the mapped district, permitted uses, special provisions and project eligibility in the official source. |
Overlay and approval questions
- Does a special district, historic designation, shoreline or flood rule apply?
- Which discretionary approvals or project-specific streamlining criteria must be satisfied?
- Are state or federal provisions relevant, and what conditions or exclusions do they impose?
Review-process context
Use the current Zoning Regulations of 2016 and mapped district to establish the proposal's approval route. The Office of Zoning identifies its interactive viewer as a courtesy version and directs readers to the Office of Documents and Administrative Issuances for the official amended text. Separately, the Height of Buildings Act has street-width, street-type and other conditions: a blanket 130-foot rule is not a parcel height entitlement. The specific approval route has not been verified for your project.
Questions
What zoning ordinance applies in Washington?
DC Zoning Regulations of 2016
How does the review process work in Washington?
Use the current Zoning Regulations of 2016 and mapped district to establish the proposal's approval route. The Office of Zoning identifies its interactive viewer as a courtesy version and directs readers to the Office of Documents and Administrative Issuances for the official amended text. Separately, the Height of Buildings Act has street-width, street-type and other conditions: a blanket 130-foot rule is not a parcel height entitlement. The specific approval route has not been verified for your project.
Explore a site in Washington
Start with the parcel location and inspect the available site context. Confirm zoning and development requirements with the responsible local authority.
Explore site analysisReview current plans and usage and source coverage for your project.