Zoning Documents
What We Do
The Zoning Administrator reviews applications for conformance with DC Zoning Regulations, under Title 11 DCMR, including:
- Building permit applications submitted to the Permit Center
- Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) applications for allowable uses, occupancy load, verification of address, lot and square, and to determine whether inspections and building plans are required for C of O approval
- Subdivision applications to ensure that they meet lot size, lot width and other requirements
- Home Occupation Permit (HOP) applications for allowable uses, employee and customer visit limits, and verification of the type of dwelling to be used
- The Zoning Administrator writes letters of denial, referring developers to the Board of Zoning Adjustment and the Zoning Commission if they want to seek special exceptions or zoning variances to the Administrator’s rulings
- The Office of the Zoning Administrator is offering interpretive guidance of Subtitle A, Section 102 to inform the public about the applicable "vesting", also called "grandfathering", rules found in ZR16 to assist with the transition from the old (1958 Zoning Regulations) to the new zoning code (ZR16), Vesting Guidance.
The Office of the Zoning Administrator also provides these services:
- Zoning compliance letters, to answer questions about zoning district and zoning regulation compliance information on a specific property
- General zoning information, such as which zone a property is in
- Preliminary Design Review Meetings (PDRMs) for developers or property owners who want to know how zoning applies to a proposed project prior to a building permit application submittal (fee applies)
- Zoning information on a specific property for homeowners, through the Homeowners Center
Important Zoning Information
- Administrative Bulletins
- Childcare Permitting and Regulations
- DC Zoning Map
- Zoning Data Summary Form
- Zoning Regulations Guidance Documents
- Zoning Regulations, Title 11 DCMR
- Reporting Zoning Violations
- Residential District Development Standards
- DC Office of Zoning (DCOZ) Website
- Zoning Administrator Determination Letters
- Zoning Administration Interpretations
- Zoning & Eating/Drinking Establishments in DC Brochure
- Tree & Slope Information Form
Zoning Services
Certificate of Occupancy
The purpose of the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) is to ensure that the use of building, structure or land in the District of Columbia conforms to the Zoning Regulations, DCMR Title 11, and to the provisions of the DC Building Code, DCMR Title 12A. In most cases, no person can use a building, structure or land in the District of Columbia for any purpose other than a single family dwelling until a valid C of O has been issued.
Certificate of Occupancy Documents:
- Application for the Certificate of Occupancy
- Certificate of Occupancy Information
- Certificate of Occupancy Authorization Form
- Certificate of Occupancy Instructions and General Information
- Certificate of Occupancy Frequently Asked Questions
- Certificate of Occupancy Application
- Certificate of Occupancy Checklist
- Eating Establishment Questionnaire
- Guidelines for the Issuance of Conditional Certificates of Occupancy
- Conditional Certificate of Occupancy Checklist
- Establishing a District of Columbia Child Development Center
Home Occupancy Permit
This permit is required for operating a business from your home. (You must live in the District of Columbia and it must be your primary residence)
Subdivision Plat
Applicants must provide the lot and square number(s) and a sketch of the provided layout of the lot(s) for the location where the subdivision is needed. If the subdivisions involves a tax (for example: 800 series numbers) then a deed will be required.
Get a Wall Check
Are you in compliance with District wall check requirements? Failure to comply with District wall check requirements may result in DCRA stopping the work on your project.
Preliminary Design Review Meeting (PDRM)
Do you have a large-scale project, such as construction of a new residential or office building? Let us help you today with a Preliminary Design Review Meeting (PDRM).
Report a Zoning Violation
When the OZA receives a complaint, the Zoning Enforcement Division will initially assess the validity of the complaint to ensure that it is zoning related.
