D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 10, r. 10-C302
Preliminary review is not required before application for a permit, but may be appropriate in occasional circumstances. Conceptual review is recommended as the preferred method of obtaining guidance on whether a proposal is consistent with the purposes of the Act.
The purpose of preliminary review is to allow applicants to obtain an official preliminary finding of compliance from the Mayor's Agent in advance of a permit application. Before making this finding, the Mayor's Agent shall obtain the recommendations of the Board or CFA in accordance with D.C. Official Code §§ 6-1104 through 6-1108 and the procedures in this chapter.
Since a preliminary finding of compliance can only be made on the basis of plans meeting D.C. zoning requirements, zoning approval is required before an application for preliminary review is submitted to the Mayor's Agent for consideration.
An application for preliminary review does not constitute a permit application, but is subject to the required review period in D.C. Official Code § 6-1108.
D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 10, r. 10-C302