I am unable to view or download any PDF files available at the DCOZ website. What do I do?
If you upgraded your
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on the left side to reveal several options on the right side of the same
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application. You may then return to your browser to re-execute your search and
retrieval of any PDF documents available at the DCOZ website. If you are still unable to retrieve your
information, contact the Office of Zoning
Whom do I contact to obtain zoning district information on a certain property?
Zoning district information on
a certain property can be obtained by:
a. Referring to the Zoning Maps on this website.
(http://dcoz.dc.gov/info/map.shtm)
b. Calling or e-mailing the OZ and asking for an informal
verification of the zoning designation - which will be provided within 3
business days.
c. Making a written request to the Director of the Office of Zoning
for an official certification of zoning - which will be provided within 14
business days. (Per OZ procedure, the request must include the name and address
of the person making the request, the square and lot numbers of the property
and the address of the property. This process involves a $15 fee and must be
accompanied by two copies of a plat of the property prepared by the DC Surveyor
or an engineer licensed in the District.)
What are the Board of Zoning Adjustment and the Zoning Commission and what is the difference between them?
The Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) is a five-member quasi-judicial board created by the Zoning Enabling Act of 1938, as amended, and charged with hearing cases related to variances, special exceptions, and appeals of administrative decisions. The BZA also hears Foreign Mission cases and civil infractions. Three members of the BZA are residents of the District of Columbia appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Council; one is a member of the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) or its staff; and one is a rotating ZC member.
The Zoning Commission (ZC) is a five-member quasi-legislative/quasi-judicial commission created by the Zoning Act of 1920, as amended, and charged with preparing, adopting, and subsequently amending the Zoning Regulations and Map. The ZC also hears Planned Unit Development (PUD) cases—a planning tool which allows a developer greater flexibility of development and other incentives, provided that the project offers a commendable number or quality of public benefits and that it protects and advances public health, safety, welfare, and convenience. Three members of the ZC are residents of the District of Columbia appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Council; the fourth member is the Architect of the Capitol (or his/her representative); and the fifth member is the Director of the National Park Service (or his/her representative).
When and where are BZA and ZC meetings and hearings held?
Board of Zoning Adjustment meetings are held the first Tuesday of each
month from 9:30 am to 12:00 pm. Hearings
are held on the second, third and fourth Tuesday's from 9:30 am to 12:00 pm
(except meeting days) and from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm.
Zoning Commission meetings are typically held on the second Monday of
each month at 1:30 pm. Hearings are held
Mondays at 6:30 pm and/or Thursdays at 6:30 pm.
Whom do I contact if conditions of a Board of Zoning Adjustment or Zoning Commission Order are not being adhered to?
An alleged violation of BZA or ZC orders condition(s) may be reported to the Office of Zoning. This process involves filing an OZ Form 300 (Complaint of Non-Compliance with Conditions of a BZA/ZC Order). If a violation is found to exist after OZ conducts its investigation, OZ will work with the non-complying party to achieve compliance. If unsuccessful at achieving compliance, the OZ will turn the matter over to the Zoning Administrator with supporting documentation and a recommendation that the BZA/ZC order condition(s) be enforced. Enforcement action may include fines, revocation of building permits, and/or revocation of Certificate of Occupancy.
Complainants may alternatively file a complaint directly with the Zoning Administrator (ZA) within District of Columbia Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA).
What is FAR?
Floor area ratio (FAR) is defined in the Zoning Regulations as a figure that expresses the total gross floor area as a multiple of the area of the lot. This figure is determined by dividing the gross floor area of all buildings on a lot by the area of that lot.
| Floor Area Ratio | = |
Gross Floor Area of Building |
 |
| Lot Area |
How do I obtain information related to a specific BZA or ZC case?
You can obtain information related to a specific BZA or ZC case by
visiting the OZ at 441- 4th Street, NW (One Judiciary Square), Suite 210,
between the hours of 8:30 am and 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday to review the
record related to the specific case. BZA schedules or
ZC schedules can be obtained on this
website.
My neighbor is making improvements to their property. What types of improvements require a zoning permit and which require a zoning hearing?
You are required by law to obtain a permit for construction in the
District of Columbia for new construction and foundations; additions,
alterations, or repair of existing buildings; razes (demolition); construction
of shed, garage or vault; erection of a sign and awning; layout of interior
space for tenants in new or existing commercial buildings and construction of
some retaining walls and fences.
The Building and Land Regulation Administration of the DCRA will not
issue a building permit unless all aspects of the project comply with the
Zoning Regulations. Example: DCRA
receives a request for a building permit for a deck addition to a single-family
dwelling and the proposed deck addition encroaches upon the minimum rear yard
requirement. The DCRA would advise the
home owner that he/she would require a variance from the rear yard requirements
in order to get permit approval to build the deck. If the homeowner elects to seek a variance
he/she would make an application with the BZA through the OZ and a public
hearing would be scheduled. At this time
(but at least 45 days in advance of the hearing) the OZ will notify the ANC,
ANCSMD, Ward councilperson, and all property owners within 200 feet in writing
about the details of the request and the hearing.
Whom do I notify if illegal construction is being conducted?
Illegal construction is
construction without a building permit. Verify whether a permit has been
obtained by the following ways: (a) ask to see the permit at the construction
site; (b) call the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs Permit Processing
Center at (202) 442-4480 to inquire if a permit has been issued; or (c) visit
the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs Permit Processing Center to
view a copy of the permit, which is a matter of public record.
If a permit has not been
issued, you should contact the Zoning Administrator's (ZA's) office. The ZA is
responsible for administering, interpreting and enforcing the DC Zoning
Regulations, as well as the conditions of Board of Zoning Adjustment and Zoning
Commission orders. The ZA is responsible for zoning code compliance and
assuring the correct permit(s) and certificate(s) of occupancy have been
obtained. For any questions concerning illegal construction, certificates of
occupancy or code enforcement, please call or write:
Zoning
Administrator
Department
of Consumer & Regulatory Affairs
941 N.
Capitol Street, NE, Suite 2000
Washington,
DC 20002
(202)
442-4576
(202)
442-4571-fax
dcra.dc.gov
Why would a property owner need to certify the zoning on his/her property and what are the steps to certify the zoning of property?
Developers, architects, lawyers, realtors, tax assessors, land owners and
others in the land use business often require definitive authentication of
zoning classification of property for due diligence purposes. A zoning certification is used by the above
as a means of gaining official written (notarized) recognition of zoning from
the District of Columbia government.
A zoning certification can be obtained through a request in writing to
the Director of the Office of Zoning for an official certification of zoning -
which will be provided within 14 business days. (Per OZ procedure, the request
must include the name and address of the person making the request, the square
and lot numbers of the property and the address of the property. This process
involves a $15 fee and must be accompanied by two copies of a plat of the
property, prepared by the DC Surveyor or an engineer licensed in the District.)
How do I obtain the names and addresses of all owners of property within a 200 ft radius?
This information is available, at cost, from the DC Department of Tax and
Revenue, Tax Assessors, 941 North Capitol Street, NE, 1st Floor, Washington,
DC 20002.
If I am having problems viewing the online zoning maps, how can I view these maps?
Maps on the Office of Zoning's (OZ) website can best be viewed with Adobe
Acrobat Reader. In order to view all PDF
files on our website (including the Zoning Maps), you may need to upgrade your
Acrobat Reader to version 5.0 or a later version. To do this, you may follow
the links provided at the site to complete your upgrade. OZ is working to remedy this problem for
users with earlier versions of Acrobat Reader.
If you have any questions, please contact the OZ at (202) 727-6311,
between the hours of 8:30 am and 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday.
How can I find out the definition of a specific zoning district?
The DC Office of Zoning’s website offers definitions of specific zoning districts and overlays districts. A more detailed description can be found in the Zoning Regulations. To quickly find all references to the particular zone district in the Zoning Regulations, use the search engine at the top of the page and enter the zone district in question.
How can I obtain a paper copy of the Zoning Regulations and Map?
Paper copies of the Title 11 DCMR Zoning Regulations may be obtained from
the Office of Documents. To obtain a copy:
· To order by mail:
Send a check or money order for
$35.00 (made payable to the DC Treasurer) and the order specifications to:
Office of Documents and Administrative Issuances
441 4th Street, NW, Room 520S
Washington, DC 20001
· Over-the-counter
sales:
Go to 441 4th Street, NW, Room
520.
Select document and pay with
cash, check, or money order.
Paper copies of the Zoning Map can be purchased from the Office of Zoning
at 441 4th Street, NW, Suite 210-S, Washington, DC 20001 with a check or money
order made payable to the DC Treasurer. $60 for color maps and $10 for black
and white.
Where can I obtain a copy of a zoning order?
Copies of zoning orders
can be obtained from the Office of Zoning (OZ) at 441 4th Street, NW, Suite
210-S, Washington, DC 20001, at a rate
of $0.20 per page (only checks and money orders made out to the DC Treasurer
are accepted), or from the OZ website (these orders can be printed from site at
no cost.)
Whom should I contact if I have additional zoning questions?
If you have further zoning questions please contact the Office of Zoning through our 'How May We Help You' forms or contact the office at (202) 727-6311.
Unable to access the zoning maps since renovation of site? Maps do not appear to the left? Previously successfully downloaded maps are not downloading anymore?
You may have recently updated your Adobe Acrobat Reader to version 6.0,
and need to adjust your new installation to allow you to view PDF files at the
DCOZ website. Please contact the Office
of Zoning through our 'How May We Help You' webmaster form. Be sure to send your name and phone number
and someone will be in touch with you to walk you through the process.
Agencies