207. REAR YARD

207 REAR YARD 207.1 Except as provided elsewhere in this title, in any of the MU-1 through MU-15 zones, the minimum required rear yard shall be as set forth in this section. 207.2 In all MU zones, where a lot does not abut an alley, the rear yard shall be measured from the rear lot line to the rear wall of the building or other structure. 207.3 Except as provided in Subtitle G § 207.4, in any of the MU-1 and MU-2 zones, a minimum rear yard of two and one-half inches (2.5 in.) per one foot (1 ft.) of vertical distance from the mean finished grade at the middle of the rear of the structure to the highest point of the main roof or parapet wall, but not less than twelve feet (12 ft.). 207.4 In any of the MU-1 and MU-2 zones, the depth of rear yard required in Subtitle G § 207.4 may be measured as follows: (a) Where a lot abuts an alley, from the center line of the alley to the rear wall of the building or other structure. A rear yard on the lot need not be provided below a horizontal plane twenty feet (20 ft.) above the mean finished grade measured at the middle of the rear wall of that portion of the building or other structure below the twenty foot (20 ft.) plane; or (b) Where a lot does not abut an alley, the depth of rear yard shall be measured as specified in the definition of "rear yard," except a rear yard need not be provided below a horizontal plane twenty feet (20 ft.) above the mean finished grade measured at the middle of the rear wall of that portion of the building or other structure below the twenty foot (20 ft.) plane. 207.5 Except as provided in Subtitle G § 207.8, in any of the MU-3 zones, a minimum rear yard of twenty feet (20 ft.) shall be provided. 207.6 Except as provided in Subtitle G § 207.8, in any of the MU-4 through MU-6 zones, a minimum rear yard of fifteen feet (15 ft.) shall be provided. 207.7 Except as provided in Subtitle G § 207.8, in any of the MU-7 zones, a minimum rear yard of two and one-half inches (2.5 in.) per one foot (1 ft.) of vertical distance from the mean finished grade at the middle of the rear of the structure to the highest point of the main roof or parapet wall, but not less than twelve feet (12 ft.) shall be provided. 207.8 In any of the MU-3 through MU-7 zones, the depth of rear yard required in Subtitle G §§ 207.5 through 207.7 may be measured as follows: (a) For that portion of the structure below a horizontal plane twenty feet (20 ft.) above the mean finished grade at the middle of the rear of the structure from the center line of the alley to the rear wall of the portion; and (b) For that portion of the structure above the horizontal plane described in Subtitle G § 207.8(a), the depth of rear yard shall be measured from the rear lot line to the rear wall of that portion immediately above the plane. 207.9 Except as provided in Subtitle G § 207.10, in any of the MU-8, MU-9, and MU-15 zones, a minimum rear yard of two and one-half inches (2.5 in.) per one foot (1 ft.) of vertical distance from the mean finished grade at the middle of the rear of the structure to the highest point of the main roof or parapet wall, but not less than twelve feet (12 ft.) shall be provided. 207.10 In any of the MU-8, MU-9, and MU-15 zones, the depth of rear yard required in Subtitle G § 207.9 may be measured as follows: (a) Where a lot abuts an alley, from the center line of the alley to the rear wall of the building or other structure. A rear yard on the lot need not be provided below a horizontal plane twenty feet (20 ft.) above the mean finished grade measured at the middle of the rear wall of that portion of the building or other structure below the twenty foot (20 ft.) plane; or (b) Where a lot does not abut an alley, the depth of rear yard shall be measured as specified in the definition of "rear yard," except a rear yard need not be provided below a horizontal plane twenty feet (20 ft.) above the mean finished grade measured at the middle of the rear wall of that portion of the building or other structure below the twenty foot (20 ft.) plane. 207.11 Except as provided in Subtitle G § 207.12, in any of the MU-10 zones, a minimum rear yard of two and one-half inches (2.5 in.) per one foot (1 ft.) of vertical distance from the mean finished grade at the middle of the rear of the structure to the highest point of the main roof or parapet wall, but not less than twelve feet (12 ft.) shall be provided. 207.12 In any of the MU-10 zones, rear yards are required only for residential uses and shall be established subject to the following conditions: (a) A rear yard shall be established no lower than the first level of residential use; and (b) Where a lot abuts an alley, the rear yard may be measured from the centerline of the alley to the rear wall of the building or other structure. 207.13 In any of the MU-11 through MU-14 zones, a minimum rear yard of twelve feet (12 ft.) shall be provided subject to the following conditions: (a) A rear yard is required only for residential uses and shall be established no lower than the first level of residential use; (b) Where a lot abuts an alley, the rear yard may be measured from the centerline of the alley to the rear wall of the building or other structure; and Where a lot does not abut an alley, the rear yard shall be measured from the rear lot line to the rear wall of the building or other structure. 207.14 Relief from the rear yard requirements of Subtitle G § 207 may be permitted if approved by the Board of Zoning Adjustment as a special exception pursuant to Subtitle X, Chapter 9, and subject to the following conditions and the general special exception criteria at Subtitle X, Chapter 9: (a) Provision shall be included for service functions, including parking and loading access and adequate loading areas; and (b) Upon receiving an application for relief from rear yard requirements of this section, the Board of Zoning Adjustment shall submit the application to the Office of Planning for coordination, review, report, and impact assessment, along with coordination of reviews in writing from all relevant District of Columbia departments and agencies, including: (1) The District Department of Transportation; (2) The Department of Housing and Community Development; and (3) The Historic Preservation Office if the application involves a historic district or historic landmark. SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 70 DCR 011297 (August 25, 2023); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 73 DCR 009999 (July 10, 2026). District of Columbia Municipal Regulations Zoning Regulations of 2016: Mixed-Use (MU) Zones 11-G DCMR § 207