5201. SPECIAL EXCEPTION RELIEF FROM CERTAIN REQUIRED DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS

SPECIAL EXCEPTION RELIEF FROM CERTAIN REQUIRED DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS 5201.1 For an addition to a principal residential building on a non-alley lot or for a new principal residential building on a substandard non-alley record lot as described by Subtitle C § 301.1, the Board of Zoning Adjustment may grant relief from the following development standards of this subtitle as a special exception, subject to the provisions of this section and the general special exception criteria at Subtitle X, Chapter 9: (a) Lot occupancy up to a maximum of seventy percent (70%) for all new and existing structures on the lot; (b) Yards, including front setback and alley centerline setback; (c) Courts; and (d) Pervious surface. 5201.2 For a new or enlarged accessory structure to a residential building on a non-alley lot, the Board of Zoning Adjustment may grant relief from the following development standards as a special exception, subject to the provisions of this section and the general special exception criteria at Subtitle X, Chapter 9: (a) Lot occupancy up to a maximum of seventy percent (70%) for all new and existing structures on the lot; (b) Maximum building area of an accessory building; (c) Yards, including front setback and alley centerline setback; (d) Courts; and (e) Pervious surface. 5201.3 For a new or enlarged building on an Alley Record Lot, the Board of Zoning Adjustment may grant relief from the following development standards as a special exception, subject to the provisions of this section and the general special exception criteria at Subtitle X, Chapter 9: (a) Height, to a maximum of thirty-five feet (35 ft.) and three (3) stories; (b) Lot occupancy; (c) Yards, including alley centerline setback; and (d) Pervious surface. An application for special exception relief under this section shall demonstrate that the proposed addition, new building, or accessory structure shall not have a substantially adverse effect on the use or enjoyment of any abutting or adjacent dwelling or property, specifically: The light and air available to neighboring properties shall not be unduly affected; The privacy of use and enjoyment of neighboring properties shall not be unduly compromised; The proposed addition or accessory structure, together with the original building, or the proposed new building, as viewed from the street, alley, and other public way, shall not substantially visually intrude upon the character, scale, and pattern of houses along the street and alley frontage; and In demonstrating compliance with paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of this subsection, the applicant shall use graphical representations such as existing and proposed plans, elevations and section drawings, as well as photographs including ones demonstrating the overall streetscape and pattern and character, sufficient to represent the relationship of the proposed addition, new building, or accessory structure to adjacent buildings and views from public ways. The Board of Zoning Adjustment may require special treatment in the way of design, screening, exterior or interior lighting, building materials, or other features for the protection of adjacent and nearby properties. This section shall not be used to permit the introduction or expansion of a nonconforming use, lot occupancy beyond what is authorized in this section, height, or number of stories, as a special exception, except as permitted for alley lots pursuant to E § 5201.3. 5201.7 Where an application requests relief from the alley centerline setback requirements under this section, or relief from any alley lot provision of E § 5201.3, the Office of Zoning shall refer the application to the following agencies for their review and recommendations, to be filed in the case record within the forty (40)-day period established by Subtitle A § 211: (a) District Department of Transportation (DDOT); (b) Department of Public Works (DPW); (c) Metropolitan Police Department (MPD); (d) Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department (FEMS); (e) Department of Energy and the Environment (DOEE); and (f) If a historic district or historic landmark is involved, the Historic Preservation Office (HPO). SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 63 DCR 2447, 2887 (March 4, 2016 – Part 2); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 67 DCR 8068 (July 3, 2020); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 73 DCR 009999 (July 10, 2026); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 73 DCR 010197 (July 17, 2026). District of Columbia Municipal Regulations Zoning Regulations of 2016: Residential Flat (RF) Zones 11-E DCMR § 5201