101.1 The Residential House (R) zones are residential zones, designed to provide for stable, low- to moderate-density residential areas suitable for family life and supporting uses.

101.2 The R zones are intended to:

1. (a) Provide for the orderly development and use of land and structures in areas predominantly characterized by low- to moderate-density residential development;
2. (b) Recognize and reinforce the importance of neighborhood character, walkable neighborhoods, housing affordability, aging in place, preservation of housing stock, improvements to the overall environment, and low- and moderate-density housing to the overall housing mix and health of the city;
3. (c) Allow for limited compatible accessory and non-residential uses;
4. (d) Allow for the matter-of-right development of existing lots of record;
5. (e) Establish minimum lot area and lot width for the subdivision and creation of new lots of record; and
6. (f) Discourage multiple dwelling unit development.

101.3 The purposes of the R-1A and R-1B zones are to:

1. (a) Protect quiet residential areas now developed with detached houses and adjoining vacant areas likely to be developed for those purposes; and
2. (b) Stabilize the residential areas and promote a suitable environment for family life.

101.4 The R-1A zone is intended to provide for areas predominantly developed with detached houses on large lots.

101.5 The R-1B zone is intended to provide for areas predominantly developed with detached houses on moderately sized lots.

101.6 The purpose of the R-2 zone is to:

1. (a) Provide for areas with semi-detached houses; and Zoning Regulations of 2016: Residential House (R) Zones

(b) Protect these areas from invasion by denser types of residential development.

101.7 The R-2 zone is intended to provide for areas predominantly developed with semi-detached houses on moderately sized lots that also contain some detached houses.

101.8 The purpose of the R-3 zone is to allow for row houses, while including areas within which row houses are mingled with detached houses, semi-detached houses, and groups of three (3) or more row houses.

101.9 The R-3 zone is intended to permit attached row houses on small lots.

SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 63 DCR 2447, 2834 (March 4, 2016 – Part 2); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 63 DCR 10932 (August 26, 2016); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 70 DCR 011297 (August 25, 2023).