D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 10, r. 10-A819
Improving open space is part of the District's broader vision of "building green and healthy communities." The following policies seek to increase the amount of open space in the city and protect open space where it exists today. Although these spaces are often small, they collectively make an important contribution to the livability of the city. 819.1
The District's Zoning Regulations currently require "residential recreation space" when multi-family housing is developed in commercial zones. Depending on the zone district, up to 20 percent of a building's floor area may be required to be set aside as residential recreation space, including rooftops, courtyards, and indoor recreational facilities. Additional zoning provisions seek to retain open space by setting lot coverage limits, and front and side yard requirements. The maximum area that may be covered by structures varies from 40 percent to 75 percent in residential zones and from 60 to 100 percent in commercial zones. "Creation or preservation of open space" is also defined as a public benefit or public amenity for the purpose of granting additional density in a planned unit development. 819.2
Policy PROS-4.3.1: Open Space in the Downtown Landscape
Sustain a high quality network of downtown pocket parks, courtyards, arcades, plazas, and rooftop gardens that provide space for recreation, scenic beauty, and outdoor activities for workers, visitors, and residents. 819.3
Podium parks use the air rights of below grade roadways to provide parks and plazas.
Policy PROS-4.3.2: Plazas in Commercial Districts
Encourage the development of outdoor plazas around Metro station entrances, in neighborhood business districts, around civic buildings, and in other areas with high volumes of pedestrian activity. Use the planned unit development process to promote such spaces for public benefit and to encourage tree planting, public art, sculpture, seating areas, and other amenities within such spaces. 819.4
Policy PROS-4.3.3: Common Open Space in New Development
Provide incentives for new and rehabilitated buildings to include "green roofs", rain gardens, landscaped open areas, and other common open space areas that provide visual relief and aesthetic balance. 819.5
Policy PROS-4.3.4: Protection of Open Space in Multi-Family Development
Recognize the implicit value of the lawns, courtyards, gardens, and other open areas that surround many of the District's older high- and medium density residential buildings. Discourage the practice of building on these areas if the historic proportions and character of the original buildings would be compromised. 819.6
Policy PROS-4.3.5: Residential Yards
Recognize the value of residential yards as a component of the city's open space system and discourage increased coverage of such areas by buildings and impervious surfaces. 819.7
Action PROS-4.3.A: Residential Recreation Space and Lot Coverage Requirements
Complete an evaluation of DC Zoning requirements for "residential recreation space" and "lot coverage." Explore the feasibility of requiring residential recreation space in high-density residential zones as well as commercial zones, and establishing specific conditions for lowering or waiving the requirements. Consider a sliding scale for lot coverage requirements which considers parcel size as well as zone district. Incentives for the creation of parkland, including increases in allowable density where parkland is provided, also should be considered. 819.8
The provisions of Title 10, Part A of the DCMR accessible through this web interface are codification of the District Elements of the Comprehensive Plan for the National Capital. As such, they do not represent the organic provisions adopted by the Council of the District of Columbia. The official version of the District Elements only appears as a hard copy volume of Title 10, Part A published pursuant to section 9 a of the District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1994, effective April 10, 1984 (D.C. Law 5-76; D.C. Official Code § 1 -301.66)) . In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions accessible through this site and the provisions contained in the published version of Title 10, Part A, the provisions contained in the published version govern. A copy of the published District Elements is available www.planning.dc.gov.
D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 10, r. 10-A819