What are the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) and the Zoning Commission (ZC)? What is the difference between them?

The BZA is a five-member quasi-judicial body charged with hearing cases related to variances, special exceptions, and appeals of administrative decisions. The BZA also hears Foreign Mission cases and civil infractions. Three members of the BZA are residents of the District of Columbia appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Council; one is a member of the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) or its staff; and one is a rotating ZC member.

The ZC is a five-member quasi-judicial body charged with preparing, adopting, and subsequently amending the Zoning Regulations and the Zoning Map. The ZC also hears Planned Unit Development (PUD) cases-a planning tool which allows a developer greater flexibility of development and other incentives, provided that the project offers a commendable number or quality of public benefits and that it protects and advances public health, safety, welfare, and convenience. Three members of the ZC are residents of the District of Columbia appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Council; the fourth member is the Architect of the Capitol (or his/her representative); and the fifth member is the Director of the National Park Service (or his/her representative).

When and where are BZA and ZC meetings and hearings held?

BZA meetings are typically held the first Tuesday of each month, starting at 9:30 a.m. ZC hearings are typically held on the second, third and fourth Tuesday of each month, starting at 9:30 a.m.

ZC meetings are typically held on the second Monday of each month, starting at 6:30 p.m. ZC hearings are typically held Monday and Thursday evenings, starting at 6:30 p.m.

Whom do I contact to obtain zoning district information on a certain property?

Zoning district information on a certain property can be obtained by:

• Referring to the Zoning Map on this website.
• Calling or e-mailing DCOZ and asking for an informal verification of the zoning designation, which will be provided within 3 business days.
• Making a written request to the Director of DCOZ for an official certification of zoning, which will be provided within 14 business days. Per DCOZ procedure, the request must include the name and address of the person making the request, the square and lot numbers of the property, and the address of the property. This process involves a $15 fee and must be accompanied by two copies of a plat of the property prepared by the DC Surveyor or an engineer licensed in the District of Columbia.

How do I obtain information related to a specific BZA or ZC cases?

Information related to a specific BZA or ZC case can be obtained by visiting DCOZ at 441 4th Street, NW (One Judiciary Square), Suite 200-South, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, to review the record related to the specific case. BZA and ZC schedules can be obtained on this website.

Why would a property owner need to certify the zoning on his property and what are the steps to certify the zoning of property?

Developers, architects, lawyers, realtors, tax assessors, land owners, and others in the land use business often require definitive authentication of zoning classification of property for due diligence purposes. A zoning certification is used as a means of gaining official written (notarized) recognition of zoning from the DC Government.

A zoning certification can be obtained by submitting a written request to the Director of the Office of Zoning for an official certification of zoning, which will be provided within 14 business days. Per DCOZ procedure, the request must include the name and address of the person making the request, the square and lot numbers of the property, and the address of the property. This process involves a $15 fee and must be accompanied by two copies of a plat of the property, prepared by the DC Surveyor or an engineer licensed in the District of Columbia.

How do I obtain the names and addresses of all owners of property within a 200 ft radius?

This information is available, at cost, from the DC Department of Tax and Revenue, Tax Assessors, 941 North Capitol Street, NE, 1st Floor, Washington, DC 20002, (202) 727- 4TAX (727-4829).

How can I find out the definition of a specific zoning district?

DCOZ's website offers definitions of specific zoning districts and overlays districts. A more detailed description can be found in the Zoning Regulations. To quickly find all references to the particular zone district in the Zoning Regulations, use the search engine to enter the zone district in question.

What is FAR?

Floor area ratio (FAR) is defined in the Zoning Regulations as a figure that expresses the total gross floor area as a multiple of the area of the lot. This figure is determined by dividing the gross floor area of all buildings on a lot by the area of that lot.

Floor Area Ratio = (Gross Floor Area of Building) / (Lot Area)

Whom do I contact if conditions of a BZA or ZC Order are not being adhered to?

An alleged violation of BZA or ZC orders condition(s) may be reported to the Office of Zoning. This process involves filing an OZ Form 300 (Complaint of Non-Compliance with Conditions of a BZA/ZC Order). If a violation is found to exist after DCOZ conducts its investigation, DCOZ will work with the non-complying party to achieve compliance. If unsuccessful at achieving compliance, DCOZ will turn the matter over to the Zoning Administrator (ZA), who is part of the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, with supporting documentation and a recommendation that the BZA/ZC order condition(s) be enforced. Enforcement action may include fines, revocation of building permits, and/or revocation of Certificates of Occupancy.

Complainants may alternatively file a complaint directly with the ZA.

My neighbor is making improvements to his property. What types of improvements require a zoning permit and what types require a zoning hearing?

Persons are required by law to obtain a permit in the District of Columbia for new construction and foundations; additions, alterations, or repair of existing buildings; razes (demolition); construction of shed, garage or vault; erection of a sign and awning; layout of interior space for tenants in new or existing commercial buildings; and construction of some retaining walls and fences.

DCRA's Building and Land Regulation Administration will not issue a building permit unless all aspects of the project comply with the Zoning Regulations. For example, if DCRA receives a request for a building permit for a deck addition to a single-family dwelling and the proposed deck addition encroaches upon the minimum rear yard requirement, DCRA would advise the home owner that he must obtain a variance from the rear yard requirements to get permit approval to build the deck. If the homeowner elects to seek a variance, he would need to submit an application with the BZA through DCOZ, and a public hearing would be scheduled. At this time (but at least 45 days in advance of the hearing), DCOZ would notify the affected Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC), ANC Single Member District (ANCSMD), Ward Council-person, and all property owners within 200 feet in writing about the details of the request and the hearing.

Whom do I notify if illegal construction is being conducted?

Illegal construction is construction without a building permit. Interested parties can verify whether a permit has been obtained by: (a) asking to see the permit at the construction site; (b) calling the DCRA Permit Processing Center at (202) 442-4480 to inquire if a permit has been issued; or (c) visiting the DCRA Permit Processing Center to view a copy of the permit, which is a matter of public record.

If a permit has not been issued, the interested party should contact the ZA's office. The ZA is responsible for administering, interpreting and enforcing the Zoning Regulations, as well as the conditions of BZA and ZC orders. The ZA is responsible for zoning code compliance and assuring the correct permit(s) and certificate(s) of occupancy have been obtained. For any questions concerning illegal construction, certificates of occupancy or code enforcement, please call or write:

Where can I obtain a copy of a zoning order?

Copies of zoning orders can be obtained from the Office of Zoning at 441 4th Street, NW, Suite 210 South, Washington, DC 20001, at a rate of $0.20 per page (only checks and money orders made out to the DC Treasurer are accepted), or from DCOZ's website (these orders can be printed from the DCOZ site at no cost.)

How can I obtain a paper copy of the Zoning Map?

Paper copies of the Zoning Map can be purchased from the Office of Zoning at 441 4th Street, NW, Suite 210 South, Washington, DC 20001, with a check or money order made payable to the DC Treasurer. The cost is $60 for color maps and $10 for black and white maps.

I am unable to view or download any PDF files available at the DCOZ website. What do I do?

If you upgraded your Adobe Acrobat Reader to version 6.0, you may need to adjust the internet settings of your reader's preferences to display PDF files in their own window rather than in your internet browser's window. To accomplish this, initialize your Adobe Acrobat Reader application, and, from the menu bar, click on "Edit" to find "Preferences" in the pop-up window. In the preferences window, find and click on "internet" in the list of menu items on the left side to reveal several options on the right side of the same window. At the top of the right side of the window, find and uncheck the box next to the text "Display PDF in browser." Accept the change by clicking on "OK" at the bottom of the window, and exit the application. You may then return to your browser to re-execute your search and retrieve any PDF documents available at the DCOZ website. If you are still unable to retrieve your information, contact the Office of Zoning for assistance

Whom should I contact if I have additional zoning questions?

If you have further zoning questions, please contact DCOZ through our website or by contacting the office at (202) 727-6311.