A special exception is a conditioned, permitted use in a particular zone district; that is, the use is permitted provided certain specific criteria are met to ensure that certain negative impacts will not occur. A Special Exception may be granted for a particular use of land or for a particular building.
Special exceptions are not automatically granted. The applicant is responsible for meeting the burden of proof associated with the particular relief requested. It is required that an applicant review the applicable provisions of the Zoning Regulations as they relate to the request and submit a detailed statement explaining how the application meets the specific tests identified in the Zoning Regulations for a special exception.
Application Requirements, Review Standards, and Other Information
11 DCMR (Zoning Regulations of 2016), Subtitle X (General Procedures), Chapter 9: (Special Exception)