Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

In order to direct you to the appropriate office to answer your question, please review the information below before making that call.

The Office of the Zoning Administrator (ZA) at the Department of Buildings (DOB) reviews applications for conformity with DC Zoning Regulations (Title 11 DCMR); including building permit applications, Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) applications for allowable uses, occupancy load, verification of address, lot and square, and to determine whether inspections and building plans are required for C of O approval, Subdivision applications to ensure that they meet lot size, lot width, and other requirements, and Home Occupation Permit (HOP) applications for allowable uses, employee and customer visit limits, and verification of the type of dwelling to be used. For any questions concerning what zone districts and overlays allow, illegal construction, permits, certificates of occupancy, or code enforcement, please call or write:

Office of the Zoning Administrator
Department of Buildings
1100 4th Street, SW, Washington, DC 20024
(202) 671-3500 (Option 6 for the ZA)
dob.dc.gov
[email protected]

The DC Office of Zoning (DCOZ) is an independent District agency that provides professional, technical, and administrative assistance to the Zoning Commission (ZC) and the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) in support of their oversight and adjudication of zoning matters in the District. OZ administers the zoning application process for the ZC and BZA. The agency reviews and accepts applications, schedules hearings to determine whether cases meet specified zoning criteria, schedules meetings to make determinations with respect to pending applications, and issues legal orders.

Office of Zoning
441 4th St, NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 727-6311
dcoz.dc.gov
[email protected]

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. Click here for more information regarding BZA.

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 that 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). Click here for more information regarding the ZC.

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.

Yes. For electronically-initiated cases (IZIS), all documents must be filed through IZIS. This includes letters in support/opposition, agency reports, etc. IZIS can be accessed through our website by clicking on "File and Manage Cases online."

For cases not in IZIS, you can e-mail submissions to either [email protected] or [email protected], provided they meet the parameters outlined on our website by clicking on "E-mail Post-Application/Post-Appeal Submissions Policy"

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

ZC and BZA meetings and hearings are currently held virtually. The ZC and BZA calendars can be found at this link. ZC usually meets on Mondays and Tuesdays, at 4:00 PM. BZA usually meets on Wednesdays, at 9:30 AM.

Meetings and hearings can be viewed live on YouTube and Webex. Details on how to watch and participate in live virtual hearings are updated weekly on the Watch Live Virtual ZC/BZA Hearings/Meetings page (link).

Information related to specific BZA or ZC cases may be obtained online using the DCOZ Interactive Zoning Information System (IZIS). In addition to viewing hard copy files, information on most cases can now be found online through the case search function on our website. Also, please note that for new PUD cases (not modifications or time extensions), there is no longer a hard copy file and all the case file information is available online. Should you be unable to access information online, we can assist you with that from our office by appointment. Just call our office at 202-727-6311 and let us know whether you are seeking help with a ZC or BZA case. Information may also 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.

All applicants, parties, and witnesses are requested to be logged on at 9:30 a.m. for cases scheduled for the morning session. The Chairperson, as the presiding officer, has the authority to regulate the course of the hearing, pursuant to Subtitle Y § 408.1 of the Zoning Regulation. This means that the Chairperson may rearrange and announce the lineup of cases.

Meetings and hearings can be viewed live on YouTube and Webex. Details on how to watch and participate in live virtual hearings are updated weekly on the Watch Live Virtual ZC/BZA Hearings/Meetings page (link). To view hearings or meetings that have already occurred, visit the DCOZ YouTube page (link), or visit the DCOZ Video On Demand archive (link).

Copies of zoning orders are available for download and may be printed at no cost from the DCOZ website within 48 to 72 hours after their issuance. In addition, copies of zoning orders can be obtained from the Office of Zoning at 441 4th Street, NW, Suite 200 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).

Please contact the Office of the Surveyor to obtain a copy of a plat:

Office of the Surveyor
1100 4th Street SW, Third Floor
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 442-4566
dcra.dc.gov/page/surveyor-services

To download a copy of the zoning regulations, you can generate a PDF in the interactive regulations viewer (link). Click "TITLE 11 - ZONING" in the Table of Contents, on the left side of the screen. Then click the print icon. Select the subtitles to export, and click the print icon in the resulting menu.

Copies of the Zoning Map are available online using the DCOZ interactive zoning map. This interactive system allows users to determine the zoning classification for any property in the District. Searches may be completed using the address, square and lot, parcel, Zoning Commission (ZC) case, Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) case, or Planned Unit Development (PUD), where applicable. Please note, given the fluidity of the map, if you require definitive authentication of zoning classification on any property for due diligence purposes or to satisfy a legal requirement please visit the Office of Zoning to request a certification of zoning. Instructions on how to make the request can be found on the DCOZ website.

The Zoning Handbook offers summaries of specific zone 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.

The DC Office of Zoning (DCOZ) is pleased to present a real-time search tool that provides the ability to view Zoning Commission (ZC) and Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) case-related information as well as certain supporting documents. This search tool can be accessed through our website by clicking on "Zoning Case Record Search" in the "Search" tab on the top left of the page.

You can set up an IZIS account through our website by clicking on "File and Manage Cases online" on the left-hand side of our home page or under the "Online Services" tab at the top of the page. You will see the login page for IZIS and to set up an account, click on "Create an IZIS Account."

Yes, the maximum size is 8MB. If you have a document that is larger than that, you will need to break it down into smaller files in order to submit the document.

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

1. Referring to the Interactive Zoning Map.
2. Calling or e-mailing DCOZ and asking for an informal verification of the zoning designation, will be provided within 3 business days.
3. Submitting a request through IZIS (https://app.dcoz.dc.gov/). The response will be provided within 10 business days. Per OZ 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 $50 fee and must be accompanied by a PDF copy of a plat (no larger than 11" x 17") of the property, prepared by the DC Surveyor or an engineer licensed in the District of Columbia.

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 $50 fee and must be accompanied by two copies of a plat (no larger than 11" x 17") of the property, prepared by the DC Surveyor or an engineer licensed in the District of Columbia.

This information is most readily available from the D.C. Department of Tax and Revenue, Tax Assessors by using the following link:  https://mytax.dc.gov/_/ .  Select “View More Options” under the Real Property section, then “Request a Radius Map” under the Real Property Quick Links section.

Any person seeking to undertake new construction in the District of Columbia or to make major repairs, alterations, or additions to existing buildings should first consult with the Department of Buildings (DOB) to determine whether the proposed project conforms to the Zoning Regulations and the Zoning Map. If the proposed project does not conform, the Zoning Administrator (ZA), who is part of DOB and has the authority to interpret and administer the Zoning Regulations as adopted by the Zoning Commission, will indicate the required zoning relief.

Therefore, your first step will be to submit your architectural drawings to the permits division at DOB. For information on permits, please visit DOB online at dcra.dc.gov, or write a letter to:

Office of the Zoning Administrator
Department of Buildings
1100 4th Street, SW, Washington, DC 20024
(202) 671-3500 (Option 6 for the ZA)
dob.dc.gov
[email protected]

If it is determined by DOB that you require zoning relief, you will be referred to file an application with the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) at OZ. If relief is required, please feel free to contact the Office of Zoning at (202) 727-6311, we will be happy to assist you in this process and answer any questions you may have.

Any construction done without required building permits is illegal construction. Illegal construction is a public danger: it can hurt people and property. Interested parties can verify whether a permit has been obtained by: (a) asking to see the permit at the construction site; (b) searching the Scout portal on DOB's website at https://scout.dcra.dc.gov/login; or (c) visiting the DOB in person to view a copy of the permit, which is a matter of public record.

To report illegal construction, visit the DOB Report Illegal Construction website (link).

1. Become a Party - those interested must apply at least 14 days before the hearing and demonstrate that they would be more significantly or uniquely affected than a member of the general public.
2. Become a Witness - anyone can appear and give testimony in support or in opposition to a case.
3. Submit a letter for the record (while the record is open).