District of Columbia

Zoning Regulations Review Fact Sheet

Its Time!
What is zoning?
Zoning is a way for a city to guide and regulate the use of land, and create predictable patterns of development. It is implemented through our zoning code, a document which provides rules and regulations about where different uses can be located and the location, shape, and height of buildings.

Did you know?

The 1958 zoning code has been modified and amended more than 1,000 times since it was adopted.

Did you know?

78% of D.C. residents are younger than the current code. (2010 US Census)

Why update the zoning code?

The zoning code was adopted way back in 1958, and is one of the oldest in the country. The regulations need to be simplified and address the vision for D.C. as a livable, walkable, balanced, and sustainable city in the 21st century. The updates will make sure that zoning is current with existing D.C. policy and the objectives of the Comprehensive Plan a document that provides guidance for future planning and development in the city1 . In fact, the Comprehensive Plan requires that the zoning code be fully updated.

Whats new?
The new code is intended to address citywide goals and objectives such as: Creating and reinforcing distinctive and safe neighborhoods; Promoting transportation choices by updating old parking requirements that contribute to traffic congestion and rising housing costs; Addressing green building and sustainable development; Planning for quality environments and open spaces; Encouraging convenient access to healthy food and convenient access to retail; Supporting more affordable housing choices and the ability for people at all stages in life to find good housing options in their neighborhood; and Making the code clearer and more user-friendly. While a number of important changes are being proposed, about 90% of the regulations will remain the same as they are today.

Did you know?

The current zoning code (1958) is older than: Citys right to vote for president (1963); First man on the Moon (1969); D.C. Home Rule (1973); First cell phones (1973) and first home computers (1977); and Opening of the Metro system (1976).

You can read the D.C. Comp Plan (all 996 pages!) on the OP

website planning.dc.gov

District of Columbia Office of Planning

What is OP proposing to change?

Adding Tables and Pictures The new code will
include tables to make it easier to find information. Illustrations will help to explain how to use the regulations.

We want to hear from you.

This is your city. Whether you were born and raised here, or are a recent addition to the city, you have a stake in how D.C. will change and grow. We have already made many significant changes to previous drafts based on community comments, but our recommendations would be incomplete without your involvement. So please plan to attend one of OPs upcoming community meetings. We will present the same information in each of these meetings, so you can attend the one that is most convenient for you. Bring your questions, your ideas and your experiences. To continue to stay involved, plan to participate in the Zoning Commission public hearings that will begin in 2013. Additional information on the process, including specific text proposals, can be found at www.DCZoningUpdate.org.

Categorizing Uses The code currently includes

more than 600 individual and often outdated use permissions. The new code will consolidate these into a much smaller number of use categories, such as residential and retail.

Keeping Overlay Zone Protections An overlay is just

additional zoning - it sits on top of a zone and provides regulations to achieve localized planning goals. Our goal is to incorporate each overlay and base zoning into one easier to use zone that keeps all of the overlay protections.

What does the zoning review process look like?

January 2008 to June 2011 OP held more than 200
public Task Force, public working group, community and ANC and meetings. The Zoning Commission also had a series of meetings to provide guidance about what the new code would look like and include.

Community meeting dates and locations will be posted at www.DCZoningUpdate.org www.Planning.dc.gov and www.ZoningDC.org

Summer 2010 to Fall 2012 OP wrote a first draft

of the proposed zoning code, with the Task Force providing more feedback.

December 2012 to January 2013 OP will hold eight

community meetings, one in each ward.

Spring, 2013 A revised draft of the zoning code

will go to the Zoning Commission for formal public hearings.

For questions, comments, or more information, please contact us at zoningupdate@dc.gov.

District of Columbia Office of Planning