Office of Zoning
       



Zoning Regulations Review (ZRR)

What is the ZRR?

The Zoning Regulations Review, also known as the ZRR, is a project being led by the Office of Planning (OP) to revise the DC Zoning Regulations.

When were the Zoning Regulations last comprehensively revised?

This is the first time the Zoning Regulations have been comprehensively revised since 1958.

Why change the Zoning Regulations?

Many of the problems with the current Zoning Regulations are those that you would expect from a 50-year-old document. Outdated terms like "telegraph office" and "tenement house" still reside in our regulations, concepts like parking standards and antenna regulations are based on 1950s technology, and new concepts like sustainable development had not even been envisioned. For several years, the District has seen a steady increase in the number of text and map amendments presented to the Zoning Commission (ZC). New overlay requests, zoning consistency actions, and changes to the text are increasingly common.

The countless amendments to the ordinance over the last half century have helped to keep the regulations relevant. However, piling amendment on top of amendment over the years creates problems of its own. Even the simplest of text amendments has become extremely complicated as 50 years of changes have made it very difficult to cross-reference interwoven sections and prevent unintended consequences.

All of these issues have led to the recognition that an overhaul is needed. Just like the last time the regulations were updated, the City Council approved a new Comprehensive Plan that calls for "substantial revision and reorganization, ranging from new definitions to updated development and design standards, and even new zones." OP committed to undertake this effort and is leading the public review and revision of our Zoning Regulations.

What is the proposed remaining schedule?

Winter 2013

OP will submit their proposed text to the ZC for setdown. OZ will schedule public hearings.

Spring 2013

Public hearings will be held where the public will have the opportunity to voice their opinions directly with the ZC.

Summer 2013

The ZC will take action on the proposed text.

How can I participate in the process?

  1. Watch archived videos of Zoning Commission hearings on ZRR (Z.C. Case No. 08-06) to learn what has been discussed thus far.

    Date Event Case No. Description Video
    November 19, 2012 ZC Public Meeting Z.C. Case No. 08-06 CORRESPONDENCE: Letter from Committee of 100 re; ZRR Ward Meetings View
    September 27, 2012 ZC Special Public Meeting Z.C. Case No. 08-06 ZRR GUIDANCE: Update, Guidance & Feedback View
    May 14, 2012 ZC Public Meeting Z.C. Case No. 08-06 ZRR GUIDANCE: Update on Process View
    May 14, 2012 ZC Public Meeting Z.C. Case No. 08-06 CORRESPONDENCE: Letter from Councilmember Michael Brown re; ZRR View
    November 14, 2011 ZC Public Meeting Z.C. Case No. 08-06 ZRR GUIDANCEL: ZRR Update View
    September 12, 2011 ZC Public Meeting Z.C. Case No. 08-06 ZRR GUIDANCE: Update from the Office of Planning View
    July 11, 2011 ZC Public Meeting Z.C. Case No. 08-06 ZRR GUIDANCE: Community Outreach Process and Overall Schedule View
    June 13, 2011 ZC Public Meeting Z.C. Case No. 08-06 FINAL ACTION: ZRR: Green Area Ratio View
    May 23, 2011 ZC Public Meeting Z.C. Case No. 08-06 FINAL ACTION: ZRR: Production, Distribution and Repair Zones View
    April 25, 2011 ZC Public Meeting Z.C. Case No. 08-06 ZRR GUIDANCE: Additional Public Outreach in the Zoning Review Process View
    April 25, 2011 ZC Public Meeting Z.C. Case No. 08-06 FINAL ACTION: ZRR: Parking, etc. View
    March 28, 2011 ZC Public Meeting Z.C. Case No. 08-06 PROPOSED ACTION: ZRR: Production, Distribution, and Repair Zones View
    March 28, 2011 ZC Public Meeting Z.C. Case No. 08-06 FINAL ACTION: ZRR: Parking, Bike Parking, and Loading View
    March 14, 2011 ZC Public Meeting Z.C. Case No. 08-06-15 ZRR GUIDANCE: Administration, Enforcement, and Procedures View
    February 28, 2011 ZC Public Meeting Z.C. Case No. 08-06 PROPOSED ACTION: ZRR: Green Area Ratio View
    February 24, 2011 ZC Public Hearing Z.C. Case No. 08-06 ZRR GUIDANCE: Production, Distribution, and Repair (PDR) Zones View
    February 17, 2011 ZC Public Hearing Z.C. Case No. 08-06-15 ZRR GUIDANCE: Administration, Enforcement, and Procedures View
    February 7, 2011 ZC Public Meeting Z.C. Case No. 08-06 ZRR GUIDANCE: Height Text and Use Text View
    January 10, 2011 ZC Public Meeting Z.C. Case No. 08-06 PROPOSED ACTION: ZRR: Parking, Bike Parking, and Loading View
    January 10, 2011 ZC Public Meeting Z.C. Case No. 08-06-14 ZRR GUIDANCE: Medium and High Density Residential Zones View
    December 20, 2010 ZC Public Hearing Z.C. Case No. 08-06  ZRR GUIDANCE: Green Area Ratio View
    December 9, 2010 ZC Public Hearing Z.C. Case No. 08-06-14 ZRR GUIDANCE: Medium and High Density Residential Zones View
    November 29, 2010 ZC Public Meeting Z.C. Case No. 08-06  HEARING ACTION: ZRR: Production, Distribution and Repair View
    November 29, 2010 ZC Public Meeting Z.C. Case No. 08-06-13 ZRR GUIDANCE: Mixed-Use Zones; Setbacks View
    November 15, 2010 ZC Public Hearing Z.C. Case No. 08-06  ZRR GUIDANCE: Parking, Bike Parking, and Loading (B-15, B-16 & B-17) View
    November 8, 2010 ZC Public Meeting Z.C. Case No. 08-06  PROPOSED ACTION: ZRR: Use and Height Text View
    November 8, 2010 ZC Public Meeting Z.C. Case No. 08-06-12 ZRR GUIDANCE: Planned Unit Development View
    October 25, 2010 ZC Public Hearing Z.C. Case No. 08-06-13 ZRR GUIDANCE: Mixed Use Zones; Setbacks View
    October 18, 2010 ZC Public Meeting Z.C. Case No. 08-06  HEARING ACTION: ZRR: General Green Area Ratio Chapter View
    October 4, 2010 ZC Public Hearing Z.C. Case No. 08-06-12 ZRR GUIDANCE: Planned Unit Development View
    September 20, 2010 ZC Public Hearing Z.C. Case No. 08-06  ZRR GUIDANCE: Chapters B2 (Uses) & B4 (Height) View
    September 16, 2010 ZC Public Meeting and Hearing Z.C. Case No. 08-06  HEARING ACTION: ZRR: Parking, Bike Parking, and Loading View
    September 2, 2010 ZC Public Meeting and Hearing Z.C. Case No. 08-06  HEARING ACTION: ZRR: Use and Height Text View
    February 22, 2010 ZC Public Meeting Z.C. Case No. 08-06-11 ZRR GUIDANCE: Waterfront View
    January 7, 2010 ZC Public Hearing Z.C. Case No. 08-06-11 ZRR GUIDANCE: Waterfront View
    November 2, 2009 ZC Public Hearing Z.C. Case No. 08-06-10 ZRR GUIDANCE: Downtown View
    July 27, 2009 ZC Public Meeting Z.C. Case No. 02-06  FINAL ACTION: Neighborhood Commercial Overlay District View
    June 22, 2009 ZC Public Meeting Z.C. Case No. 08-06-9 ZRR GUIDANCE: Sustainability View
    June 8, 2009 ZC Public Meeting Z.C. Case No. 08-06-8 ZRR GUIDANCE: Low and Moderate Density Residential Requirements View
    May 21, 2009 ZC Public Hearing Z.C. Case No. 08-06-9 ZRR GUIDANCE: Sustainability View
    April 9, 2009 ZC Public Hearing Z.C. Case No. 08-06-8 ZRR GUIDANCE: Low and Moderate Density Residential Requirements View
    February 23, 2009 ZC Special Public Meeting Z.C. Case No. 08-06-7 ZRR GUIDANCE: Campus/Institutional View
     February 9, 2009 ZC Public Meeting Z.C. Case No. 08-06-7 ZRR GUIDANCE: Campus/Institutional View
    February 5, 2009 ZC Public Meeting Z.C. Case No. 08-06  ZRR GUIDANCE: Height-Meeting was postponed until an undetermined date. View
    January 12, 2009 ZC Public Meeting Z.C. Case No. 08-06-6 PROPOSED ACTION: ZRR: Industrial View
    January 5, 2009 ZC Special Public Meeting Z.C. Case No. 08-06-1 ZRR GUIDANCE: Height View
    December 11, 2008 ZC Public Hearing Z.C. Case No. 08-06-7 ZRR GUIDANCE: Campus/Institutional View
    December 8, 2008 ZC Public Meeting Z.C. Case No. 08-06-5 PROPOSED ACTION: ZRR: Commercial View
    November 20, 2008 ZC Public Hearing Z.C. Case No. 08-06-6 ZRR GUIDANCE: Industrial View
    November 10, 2008 ZC Public Meeting Z.C. Case No. 08-06-3 PROPOSED ACTION: ZRR: Loading Transcript
    October 23, 2008 ZC Public Hearing Z.C. Case No. 08-06-5 ZRR GUIDANCE: Commercial Zones: Mapping and Use Principles View
    October 20, 2008 ZC Public Meeting Z.C. Case No. 08-06-3 PROPOSED ACTION: ZRR: Loading View
    October 20, 2008 ZC Public Meeting Z.C. Case No. 08-06-4 PROPOSED ACTION: ZRR: Arts & Culture View
    October 16, 2008 ZC Public Meeting Z.C. Case No. 08-06-2 PROPOSED ACTION: ZRR: Parking View
    September 25, 2008 ZC Public Hearing Z.C. Case No. 08-06-1 ZRR GUIDANCE: Height View
    September 18, 2008 ZC Public Hearing Z.C. Case No. 08-06-4 ZRR GUIDANCE: Arts & Culture View
    September 4, 2008 ZC Public Hearing Z.C. Case No. 08-06-3 ZRR GUIDANCE: Loading Transcript
    July 31, 2008 ZC Public Hearing Z.C. Case No. 08-06-2 ZRR GUIDANCE: Parking Transcript
    April, 14, 2008 ZC Public Meeting Z.C. Case No. 08-06  HEARING ACTION: Comprehensive Zoning Regulations Rewrite Transcript

  2. Attend the public outreach/neighborhood meetings being held by OP to understand what changes to the Zoning Regulations are being proposed and how these may or may not affect you. Give OP feedback and comments on the proposed text, as it may be used to fine tune the text.

  3. Check out the ZRR website – www.dczoningupdate.org and the new ZRR blogsite – www.zoningdc.org for more information and to comment on proposals.

  4. Use the Office of Zoning's website at www.dcoz.dc.gov as a resource. Once the proposed text for the new Zoning Regulations has been filed with the ZC, we encourage you to review the case file online using the Interactive Zoning Information System (IZIS). You will be able to view all the documents that have been filed as well as submit your own testimony into the record.

  5. Let your voice be heard by testifying before the ZC at the public hearings that are tentatively being set for spring of 2013.

  6. Watch the ZC ZRR hearings live when they air, if you cannot attend the public hearings.

Accommodation of Persons with Special Needs [X]

District government agencies provide auxiliary aids/services or language interpretation/translation when and as necessary to ensure that communication with individuals with vision, hearing and speech disabilities and/or limited English proficiency is as effective as communication with non-disabled individuals and/or English-speaking individuals. Persons with disabilities and persons needing language interpretation to participate in hearings and meetings held by the Zoning Commission (ZC) or the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA), or to communicate with the DC Office of Zoning (DCOZ), should contact Sara Bardin at (202) 727-5372, sara.bardin@dc.gov, or visit the Office at 441 4th Street, NW Suite 200-S, Washington, 20001, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Please provide at least one week's notice to DCOZ to guarantee the best possible customer service.