5100. GENERAL PROVISIONS

GENERAL PROVISIONS 5100.1 The purposes of this section are to: (a) Facilitate the re-use of existing alley buildings and the use of vacant or underutilized alley lots; (b) Ensure that alley buildings are compatible with the surrounding built environment; (c) Provide for additional housing options and opportunities, and smaller-scale and low-impact non-residential uses; and (d) In low-density zones, ensure adequate open space consistent with those zones. 5100.2 The following development standards shall apply to buildings and structures on Alley Record Lots in the R zones, and are intended to achieve the purposes of Subtitle D § 5100.1. The base zone development standards shall also apply except as specifically modified by this chapter. In the event of a conflict between the provisions of this chapter and other regulations of this title, the provisions of this chapter shall control. TABLE D § 5100.2: ALLEY LOT DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS (R) (a) Maximum Height 25 ft. and 2 stories (b) Maximum Lot Occupancy – Any R-1 or R-2 zone Less than 3,000 sq. ft. of lot area 80% Less than 5,000 sq. ft. of lot area but greater than or equal to 3,000 sq. ft. of lot area 60% 5,000 square feet of lot area or more 40% (c) Maximum Lot Occupancy – Any R-3 zone Less than 1,800 sq. ft. of lot area No maximum Between 1,800 and 2,000 sq. ft. of lot area 90% Over 2,000 sq. ft. of lot area 80% (d) Minimum Yard Dimensions Any R-1 Zone 15 ft. from any lot line that is also the rear lot line of a street-facing lot; 8 ft. from any other lot line abutting another lot Any R-2 Zone 10 ft. from any lot line that is also the rear lot line of a street-facing lot; 5 ft. from any other lot line abutting another lot Any R-3 Zone 5 ft. from any portion of a lot line that abuts any non-Alley Lot; Otherwise none required. (e) Front Setback N/A (f) Minimum Alley Centerline Setback 7.5 ft. from the centerline of all abutting alleys (g) Minimum Pervious Surface Less than 2,000 sq. ft. of lot area 10% 2,000 sq. ft. of lot area or more 20% 5100.3 Uses on Alley Lots shall be as permitted in Subtitle U, Chapter 6. SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 63 DCR 2447, 2834 (March 4, 2016 – Part 2); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 67 DCR 12690 (October 30, 2020); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 73 DCR 010197 (July 17, 2026). District of Columbia Municipal Regulations Zoning Regulations of 2016: Residential House (R) Zones 11-D DCMR § 5100