703.1 This section provides flexibility from the minimum required number of parking spaces when providing the required number of spaces would be:

1. (a) Impractical due to the shape or configuration of the site;
2. (b) Unnecessary due to a lack of demand for parking or the site's proximity to transit options; or
3. (c) Contrary to other District of Columbia regulations.

703.2 The Board of Zoning Adjustment may grant a full or partial reduction in the number of required parking spaces, as a special exception pursuant to Subtitle X, Chapter 9, and subject to the applicant's demonstration to the Board's satisfaction of at least one (1) of the following:

1. (a) Due to the physical constraints of the property, the required parking spaces cannot be provided either on the lot or within six hundred feet (600 ft.) of the lot in accordance with Subtitle C § 701.8;
2. (b) The use or structure is particularly well served by mass transit, shared vehicle, or bicycle facilities;
3. (c) Land use or transportation characteristics of the neighborhood minimize the need for required parking spaces;
4. (d) Amount of traffic congestion existing or which the parking for the building or structure would reasonably be expected to create in the neighborhood;
5. (e) The nature of the use or structure or the number of residents, employees, guests, customers, or clients who would reasonably be expected to use the proposed building or structure at one time would generate demand for less parking than the minimum parking standards;
6. (f) All or a significant proportion of dwelling units are dedicated as affordable housing units;
7. (g) Quantity of existing public, commercial, or private parking, other than on-street parking, on the property or in the neighborhood, that can reasonably be

expected to be available when the building or structure is in use;

(h) The property does not have access to an open public alley, resulting in the only means by which a motor vehicle could access the lot is from an improved public street and either:

(1) A curb cut permit for the property has been denied by the Public Space Committee; or

(2) Any driveway that could access an improved public street from the property would violate any regulation of this chapter, of the parking provisions of any other subtitle in the Zoning Regulations, or of Chapters 6 or 11 of Title 24 DCMR;

(i) The presence of healthy and mature canopy trees on or directly adjacent to the property; or

(j) The nature or location of an Historic Resource precludes the provision of the number of parking spaces required by this chapter; or providing the required number of parking spaces would result in significant architectural or structural difficulty in maintaining the integrity and appearance of the Historic Resource

703.3 Any reduction in the required number of parking spaces granted under Subtitle C § 703.2 shall be:

(a) Proportionate to the reduction in parking demand demonstrated by the applicant;

(b) Limited to the number of spaces that the applicant demonstrates cannot reasonably be provided on the site as proposed to be developed in the application; and

(c) Limited to relief from the minimum number of parking spaces required by this section and shall not provide relief from the location, access, size or layout, screening, or other requirements of this chapter.

703.4 Any request for a reduction of more than four (4) spaces from the required number of parking spaces shall include a transportation demand management plan approved by the District Department of Transportation, the implementation of which shall be a condition of the Board of Zoning Adjustment's approval.

SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 63 DCR 2447, 2712 (March 4, 2016 – Part 2); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 69 DCR 001561 (February 25, 2022).