208. SIDE YARD

208 SIDE YARD 208.1 Except as provided elsewhere in this title, the minimum side yard shall be as set forth in this section. 208.2 A side yard shall not be required along a side street abutting a corner lot in any of the RA-1, RA-2, RA-3, RA-4, and RA-5 zones. 208.3 Existing conforming side yards shall not be reduced to a nonconforming width or eliminated. 208.4 In the case of a lot proposed to be used by a public library or public recreation and community center where a side lot line abuts or adjoins a public open space, recreation area, or reservation, no side yard shall be required. 208.5 In any of the RA-1 zones, side yards for buildings containing six (6) Dwelling Units or less shall be as follows: (a) Side yards for detached buildings shall be a minimum of five feet (5 ft.); (b) Side yards for semi-detached buildings shall be a minimum of five feet (5 ft.); and (c) No side yards shall be required for row buildings; and (d) In the case of a building with a non-conforming side yard, an extension or addition may be made to the building; provided, that the width of the existing side yard shall not be reduced or eliminated; and provided further, that the width of the side yard adjacent to the extension or addition shall be a minimum of three feet (3 ft.). 208.6 In the RA-1 zones, Multiple Dwellings containing seven (7) units or more shall provide: Two side yards of a minimum of eight feet (8 ft.); and In the case of a building with a non-conforming side yard, an extension or addition may be made to the building; provided, that the width of the existing side yard shall not be reduced or eliminated; and provided further, that the width of the side yard adjacent to the extension or addition shall be a minimum of five feet (5 ft.). 208.7 In any of the RA-2, RA-3, RA-4, and RA-5 zones, the following side yard rules apply: A detached building containing one (1) or two (2) Dwelling Units shall provide two (2) side yards a minimum of eight feet (8 ft.); A semi-detached building containing one (1) or two (2) Dwelling Units shall provide one (1) side yard a minimum of eight feet (8 ft.); No side yards shall be required for a row building containing one (1) or two (2) Dwelling Units; For all other buildings no side yards are required; however, if a side yard is provided, it shall be a minimum of four feet (4 ft.); and In the case of a building with a non-conforming side yard, an extension or addition may be made to the building; provided, that the width of the existing side yard shall not be reduced or eliminated; and provided further, that the width of the side yard adjacent to the extension or addition shall be a minimum of three feet (3 ft.). SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 70 DCR 011297 (August 25, 2023); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 73 DCR 009981 (July 10, 2026). District of Columbia Municipal Regulations Zoning Regulations of 2016: Residential Apartment (RA) Zones 11-F DCMR § 208