D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 11, § 400
400.1 Except as specified in this chapter and in chapters 20 through 25 of this title, the height of buildings or structures in a Residence District shall not exceed that given in the following table:
| ZONE DISTRICT | MAXIMUM HEIGHT (Feet) | MAXIMUM HEIGHT (Stories) |
|---|---|---|
| R-1-A,R-1-B,R-2 | 40 | 3 |
| R-3,R-4, R-5-A | ||
| R-5-B | 50 | no limit |
| R-5-C | 60 | no limit |
| R-5-D | 90 | no limit |
| R-5-E | 90 | no limit |
400.2 Except as provided in § 2510, the height of buildings or structures specified in § 400.1 may be exceeded as provided in §§ 400.3 through 400.13.
400.3 A spire, tower, dome, pinnacle, minaret serving as an architectural embellishment, or antenna may be erected to a height in excess of that which this section otherwise authorizes in the district in which it is located.
400.4 A chimney or smokestack may be erected to a height in excess of that authorized in the district in which it is located when required by other municipal law or regulation.
400.5 A building or other structure may be erected to a height not exceeding ninety feet (90 ft.); provided, that the building or structure shall be removed from all lot lines of its lot for a distance equal to the height of the building or structure above the natural grade.
400.6 A church may be erected to a height of sixty feet (60 ft.); provided, that it shall not exceed the number of stories permitted in the district in which it is located.
400.7 If housing for mechanical equipment or a stairway or elevator penthouse is provided on the roof of a building or structure, it shall be erected or enlarged as follows:
400.8 Housing for mechanical equipment, a stairway, or elevator penthouse may be erected to a height in excess of that authorized in the district in which it is located.400.9 An institutional building or structure may be erected to a height not exceeding ninety feet (90 ft.); provided, that the building or structure shall be removed from all lot lines of its lot a distance of not less than one foot (1 ft.) for each foot of height in excess of that authorized in the district in which it is located.400.10 In an R-1, R-2, R-3, and R-4 District, a public school building or structure may be erected to a height not exceeding sixty feet (60 ft.).400.11 In an R-5-A, R-5-B, and R-5-C District, a public school building or structure may be erected to a height not exceeding ninety feet (90 ft.).400.12 In an R-5-B District, a college or university building or structure covered by an approved campus plan may be erected to a height not exceeding sixty feet (60 ft.).400.13 Where required by An Act To Regulate the Height of Buildings in the District of Columbia, approved June 1, 1910 (36 Stat. 452, as amended; D.C. Official Code §§ 6-601.01 to 6-601.09 (formerly codified at D.C. Code §§ 5-401 to 5-409 (1994 Repl. & 1999 Supp.))), a height in excess of that permitted shall be authorized by the Mayor.400.14 A public recreation and community center in any residential zone may be erected to a height not to exceed forty-five feet (45 ft.).400.15 The height of buildings in R zones shall be measured in accordance with the rules provided in §§ 400.16 through 400.21. If more than one (1) of these subsections applies to a building, the rule permitting the greater height shall apply.400.16 The building height measuring point (BHMP) shall be established at the existing grade at the mid-point of the building façade of the principal building that is closest to a street lot line.400.17 The height of a building with a flat roof shall be measured from the BHMP to the highest point of the roof excluding parapets and balustrades not exceeding four feet (4 ft.) in height.400.18 The height of a building with a roof that is not a flat roof shall be measured as follows:- (a) From the BHMP to the average level between the highest eave, not including the eave of a dormer and the highest point of the roof; and
- (b) Where there are no eaves, the average level shall be measured between the top of the highest wall plate and the highest point of the roof.
400.19 The height of a building permitted to be ninety feet (90 ft.) shall be measured from the BHMP to the highest point of the roof excluding parapets and balustrades not exceeding four feet (4 ft.) in height.
400.20 Where a building is removed from all lot lines by a distance equal to its proposed height above grade, the height of building shall be measured from the BHMP to the highest point of the roof or parapet.
400.21 If a building fronts on more than one (1) street, any front may be used to determine street frontage; but the basis for measuring the height of the building shall be established by the street selected as the front of the building.
400.22 A conforming structure in existence on June 14, 2013 that would have been rendered nonconforming as a result of the adoption of amendments to this section made in Z.C. Order No. 12-11 shall be deemed conforming; provided that the height of the structure may neither be increased or extended.
SOURCE: §§ 3201.1 3201.2, and 3201.3 of Zoning Regulations, effective May 12, 1958; as amended by: Final Rulemaking published at 33 DCR 3975 (July 4, 1986); Final Rulemaking published at 36 DCR 1509, 1522-23 (February 24, 1989); Final Rulemaking published at 39 DCR 8305, 8306 (November 13, 1992); Final Rulemaking published at 47 DCR 9741-43 (December 8, 2000), incorporating by reference the text of Proposed Rulemaking published at 47 DCR 8335, 8336-67 (October 20, 2000) ; as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 50 DCR 10137 (November 28, 2003); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 53 DCR 9580 (December 1, 2006); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 60 DCR 8967 (June 14, 2013).