D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 11, r. 11-3532

Current through Register Vol. 71, No. 49, December 6, 2024

Rule 11-3532 - LOADING (WR)

3532.1

Any building permit application for new construction or an addition to an existing building shall be accompanied by a detailed loading plan demonstrating full compliance with this chapter.

3532.2

All access to loading facilities, whether from a public or private right of way, shall meet DDOT and Public Space Committee standards.

3532.3

The Zoning Administrator may at his or her discretion, request that DDOT review and make a recommendation regarding any item on the loading plan prior to approving the building permit application.

3532.4

No certificate of occupancy shall be issued unless the loading facilities have been constructed in accordance with the approved loading plans.

3532.5

All buildings or structures shall be provided with loading berths and service/delivery spaces as follows, except for structures erected on Kingman and Heritage Islands for which the construction of service delivery loading spaces shall be prohibited:

Use	Minimum Number of Loading Berths Required	Minimum Number of Service/Delivery Spaces Required
Agriculture
None	None
Animal Sales, Care and Boarding
5,000 to 20,000 sq. ft. gross floor area	1	None
More than 20,000 to 100,000 sq. ft. gross floor area	2	1
More than 100,000 sq. ft. gross floor area	3	1
Antennas
None	None
Arts Design and Creation
5,000 to 20,000 sq. ft. gross floor area	1	None
More than 20,000 to 100,000 sq. ft. gross floor area	2	1
More than 100,000 sq. ft. gross floor area	3	1
Basic Utilities
20,000 to 50,000 sq. ft. gross floor area	1	1
More than 50,000 to 200,000 sq. ft. gross floor area	2	1
More than 200,000 sq. ft. gross floor area	3	1
Chancery
30,000 to 100,000 sq. ft. gross floor area	1	1
More than 100,000 sq. ft. gross floor area	2	1
Community-Based Institutional Facility
30,000 to 100,000 sq. ft. gross floor area	1	1
More than 100,000 sq. ft. gross floor area	2	1
Daytime Care
30,000 to 100,000 sq. ft. gross floor area	1	1
More than 100,000 sq. ft. gross floor area	2	1
Education
30,000 to 100,000 sq. ft. gross floor area	1	1
More than 100,000 sq. ft. gross floor area	2	1
Emergency Shelter
30,000 to 100,000 sq. ft. gross floor area	1	1
More than 100,000 sq. ft. gross floor area	2	1
Entertainment, Assembly, and Performing Arts
50,000 to 100,000 sq. ft. gross floor area	1	None
More than 100,000 to 500,000 sq. ft. gross floor area	2	None
More than 500,000 sq. ft. gross floor area	3	None
Firearm Sales
5,000 to 20,000 sq. ft. gross floor area	1	None
More than 20,000 to 100,000 sq. ft. gross floor area	2	1
More than 100,000 sq. ft. gross floor area	3	1
Food and Alcohol Services
5,000 to 20,000 sq. ft. gross floor area	1	None
More than 20,000 to 100,000 sq. ft. gross floor area	2	1
More than 100,000 sq. ft. gross floor area	3	1
Government, Large-Scale
30,000 to 100,000 sq. ft. gross floor area	1	1
More than 100,000 sq. ft. gross floor area	2	1
Government, Local
30,000 to 100,000 sq. ft. gross floor area	1	1
More than 100,000 sq. ft. gross floor area	2	1
Health Care
30,000 to 100,000 sq. ft. gross floor area	1	1
More than 100,000 sq. ft. gross floor area	2	1
Institutional
30,000 to 100,000 sq. ft. gross floor area	1	1
More than 100,000 sq. ft. gross floor area	2	1
Lodging
10,000 to 50,000 sq. ft. gross floor area	1	None
More than 50,000 to 100,000 sq. ft. gross floor area	2	None
More than 100,000 to 500,000 sq. ft. gross floor area	3	None
More than 500,000 sq. ft. gross floor area	4	None
Marine
30,000 to 100,000 sq. ft. gross floor area	1	1
More than 100,000 sq. ft. gross floor area	2	1
Motor Vehicle-related
5,000 to 20,000 sq. ft. gross floor area	1	None
More than 20,000 to 100,000 sq. ft. gross floor area	2	1
More than 100,000 sq. ft. gross floor area	3	1
Office
20,000 to 50,000 sq. ft. gross floor area	1	1
More than 50,000 to 200,000 sq. ft. gross floor area	2	1
More than 200,000 sq. ft. gross floor area	3	1
Parking
None	None
Parks and Recreation
More than 30,000 sq. ft. gross floor area	None	1
Production, Distribution, and Repair
5,000 to 25,000 sq. ft. gross floor area	1	None
More than 25,000 sq. ft. gross floor area	2	None
For each 100,000 sq. ft. gross floor area more than 50,000 sq. ft.	1	None
Residential
More than 50 dwelling units	1	1
Retail
5,000 to 20,000 sq. ft. gross floor area	1	None
More than 20,000 to 100,000 sq. ft. gross floor area	2	1
More than 100,000 sq. ft. gross floor area	3	1
Service
5,000 to 20,000 sq. ft. gross floor area	1	None
More than 20,000 to 100,000 sq. ft. gross floor area	2	1
More than 100,000 sq. ft. gross floor area	3	1
Sexually-oriented Business Est.
5,000 to 20,000 sq. ft. gross floor area	1	None
More than 20,000 to 100,000 sq. ft. gross floor area	2	1
More than 100,000 sq. ft. gross floor area	3	1
Transportation Infrastructure
None	None
Waste-related Services
5,000 to 25,000 sq. ft. gross floor area	1	None
More than 25,000 sq. ft. gross floor area	2	None
For each 100,000 sq. ft. gross floor area more than 50,000 sq. ft.	1	None

3532.6

The loading requirements must be met when a new building or structure is constructed.

3532.7

No loading berths are required for buildings or structures with a gross floor area less than the minimum specified in § 3532.5.

3532.8

Each loading berth shall be accompanied by one (1) adjacent loading platform.

3532.9

When a property changes or adds a use category, the following shall apply:

(a) Additional loading berths, loading platforms and service/delivery spaces shall be required only when the minimum number of loading spaces required for the new use category exceeds the number of spaces required for the prior use category that occupied the same floor area;

(b) When determining the amount of additional required loading, it shall be assumed that the previous use provided the minimum number of spaces required; and

(c) Historic resources shall not be required to provide additional loading for a change in use without expansion.

3532.10

An addition to an existing building, or the expansion of a use within a building triggers additional loading requirements only when the gross floor area of the building or use is expanded or enlarged by twenty-five percent (25%) or more beyond the gross floor area on September 4, 2015, or in the case of a new building, the gross floor area used to calculate the initial loading requirement. The additional minimum loading berths and service/delivery spaces required shall be calculated based upon the entire gross floor area added.

3532.11

An addition to a historic resource shall be required to provide additional loading berths, loading platforms, and service/delivery spaces only for the addition's gross floor area and only when the addition results in at least a fifty percent (50%) increase in gross floor area beyond the gross floor area existing on September 4, 2015.

3532.12

Where two (2) or more uses share a building or structure, the uses may share loading as long as internal access is provided from all shared uses requiring loading.

3532.13

For a building or structure having three (3) or more required loading berths in one (1) location, the loading berths may be stacked.

3532.14

No other use shall be conducted from or upon the loading berth or service/delivery space or any portion thereof.

3532.15

Each service/delivery space shall be clearly marked "For Service and Delivery Vehicles Only" and used exclusively for such vehicles.

3532.16

The provision of loading spaces shall be governed by the rules of measurement contained in this subsection:

(a) When two (2) or more non-residential uses in the same use category share a building or structure, all of the uses in the same use category shall be added together to derive the total gross floor area, to determine the required number of berths and spaces for that use category;

(b) When two (2) or more uses in different use categories share a building or structure, the building or structure is only required to provide enough berths and spaces to meet the requirement for the use category with the highest requirement, and not the combination of requirements for all use categories provided that all uses that require loading have access to the loading area;

(c) At least one (1) loading berth shall be provided when the sum of the gross floor area of the separate uses exceeds the minimum gross floor area requiring loading berths for any one (1) of the separate uses; and

(d) For purposes of calculating loading requirements for non-residential uses, gross floor area does not include floor area devoted to off-street parking or loading facilities, including aisles, ramps, and maneuvering space.

3532.17

Loading facilities shall be located as described in this subsection:

(a) Except as provided elsewhere in this subsection, all loading berths and service/delivery spaces shall be located within the building or structure the berths or spaces are designed to serve;

(b) Loading may be located in the rear or side yard of the building that it is designed to serve, but must be screened in accordance with § 3532.21;

(c) All loading platforms shall be located contiguous and with unobstructed access to the loading berth and shall have unobstructed access to an entrance to the building or structure;

(d) All uses in the building shall have direct access to required loading platforms or access through a common interior space or corridor;

(e) All loading berths shall be designed so that no vehicle or any part thereof shall project over any lot line, front setback line, or building restriction line; and

(f) Required loading berths may be provided in facilities designed to serve jointly two (2) or more adjoining buildings or structures on lots that share a party wall or lot line or are separated only by an alley within a single square; provided:

(1) The number of berths in the joint facilities shall not be less than that required for the total combined requirement in § 3532.5; and

(2) A binding covenant that is acceptable to the Zoning Administrator, ensuring the joint use of the loading berths and entered into by all property owners concerned, shall be recorded in the land records of the District of Columbia for the affected properties. A certified true copy of the recorded covenant shall be filed with the Zoning Administrator. Joint use of the loading berths by all parties involved shall continue in effect so long as the binding agreement remains in force. If the agreement becomes legally ineffective or inoperable, the loading berths shall be provided as otherwise required by this section.

3532.18

Access to loading facilities shall be provided as required by this subsection:

(a) All loading berths and service/delivery spaces shall be accessible at all times from a driveway meeting the following requirements:

(1) A driveway or access aisle leading to a loading berth or service/delivery space shall have a minimum width of twelve feet (12 ft.), a maximum width of twenty-four feet (24 ft.), and a maximum slope of twelve percent (12%); and

(2) No driveway providing access to a loading berth or service/delivery space shall be located in such a way that a vehicle entering or exiting from the loading berth blocks any street intersection; and

(b) A loading berth or service/delivery space shall be designed so that it is usable and accessible by the vehicles that it is intended to serve.

3532.19

The size, layout, and maintenance of loading facilities shall be as prescribed in this subsection:

(a) All loading berths shall be a minimum of twelve feet (12 ft.) wide, have a minimum depth of thirty feet (30 ft.) and have a minimum vertical clearance of fourteen feet (14 ft.);

(b) All service/delivery spaces shall be a minimum of ten feet (10 ft.) wide, have a minimum depth of twenty feet (20 ft.) and have a minimum vertical clearance of ten feet (10 ft.);

(c) All loading berths shall be accompanied by one (1) adjacent loading platform that meets the following requirements:

(1) A loading berth that is less than fifty-five feet (55 ft.) deep shall have a platform that is at least one hundred square feet (100 sq. ft.) and at least eight feet (8 ft.) wide;

(2) A loading berth that is fifty-five feet (55 ft.) deep or greater shall have a platform that is at least two hundred square feet (200 sq. ft.) and at least twelve feet (12 ft.) wide;

(3) Loading platforms shall have a minimum vertical clearance of ten feet (10 ft.); and

(4) A loading platform floor shall consist of one (1) horizontal level;

(d) No loading platform need be provided for loading berths if the required loading berth is increased in depth for the full width thereof, such that the resulting enlarged loading berth is equal in area to the combined area of a required loading berth and a required loading platform;

(e) The dimensions specified in this section for loading berths and service/delivery spaces are exclusive of access aisles, maneuvering space, and loading platforms;

(f) All loading berths and service/delivery spaces including access aisles, driveways, and maneuvering areas shall be surfaced and maintained with an all-weather surface; and

(g) A loading berth or service/delivery space, including access aisles, driveways, and maneuvering areas, shall be maintained and used as a loading berth or service/delivery space for as long as the use exists that the loading berth or service/delivery space is designed to service.

3532.20

Trash rooms and trash receptacles shall meet the following requirements:

(a) Buildings requiring loading must have a designated trash area either within the building or within a loading berth or within an accessory building or structure immediately adjacent to the loading area or within an enclosed receptacle in a designated trash area within the loading area. All new developments over two thousand square feet (2,000 sq. ft.) of gross floor area, other than buildings with only one (1) or two (2) dwelling units, must clearly show the area for the building's trash receptacles on the building plans; and

(b) Trash receptacles external to a building shall be screened and covered.

3532.21

Screening and lighting for loading facilities shall meet the requirements of this subsection:

(a) All loading berths or service/delivery spaces that are not enclosed within a building shall have screening around the entire perimeter, subject to the standards of §§ 3532.21(c) and (d);

(b) Screening is not required if the loading area is in a rear yard and separated from all contiguous property by at least twenty-five feet (25 ft.);

(c) The screening required by § 3532.21(a) shall be a solid masonry wall at least twelve inches (12 in.) thick and seventy-two inches (72 in.) high. The wall shall harmonize with the main structure in architectural character, material, and color;

(d) Gaps in the screening are allowed only to provide driveways and pedestrian exits or entrances that open directly onto a street or alley. No individual gap may exceed twenty feet (20 ft.) in width;

(e) Any lighting used to illuminate a loading berth, loading platform, or service/delivery space shall be arranged so that all direct light rays are confined to the surface of the berth, platform, or space; and

(f) Any loading berths or service/delivery spaces that are not enclosed within a building, if potentially visible from a public right-of-way, shall have, in addition to the wall required by this subsection, a screen of evergreen trees, planted at a distance of no more than fifteen feet (15 ft.) on center, of a species that at maturity would have a typical height of at least fifteen feet (15 ft.).

3532.22

The Board of Zoning Adjustment may grant a special exception from the requirements of this section when providing the number of spaces required is impractical or contrary to other District regulations, subject to the criteria of this subsection:

(a) The Office of Zoning shall refer any application under this section to the Office of Planning and the District Department of Transportation for review and report.

(b) The Board of Zoning Adjustment may grant, as a special exception, a full or partial reduction of the number of loading berths or service/delivery spaces required by § 3532.5 if, in addition to meeting the general requirements of § 3104, the applicant demonstrates that:

(1) The only means by which a motor vehicle could access the lot is from a public street, and provision of a curb cut or driveway on the street would violate any regulation in this section, or in Chapters 6 or 11 of Title 24 DCMR; or

(2) For an historic resource, providing the required loading facilities would result in significant architectural or structural difficulty in maintaining the integrity and appearance of the historic resource;

(c) The Board of Zoning Adjustment may grant, as a special exception, a waiver of the access requirements of § 3532.18 if, in addition to meeting the general requirements of § 3104, the applicant demonstrates that:

(1) The lot has unusual topography, grades, shape, size, or dimensions; or

(2) Alternate access arrangements would improve site design, landscaping, or traffic patterns or provide safer ingress or egress;

(d) The Board of Zoning Adjustment may grant, as a special exception, modifications or waivers of the screening requirements of § 3532.21 if, in addition to meeting the general requirements of § 3104, the applicant demonstrates that:

(1) Existing protective and screening walls on the lot or on adjacent property are adequate to prevent adverse impacts on adjacent property; or

(2) Provision of protective screening walls would result in the removal of healthy trees or other landscaping, or architectural features determined by the Board of Zoning Adjustment to be worthy of protection or to provide equal screening benefits; and

(e) When granting a special exception under this subsection, the Board of Zoning Adjustment may impose conditions as to screening, lighting, coping, setbacks, fences, location of entrances and exits, widening of abutting alleys, loading management or transportation demand management practices, or any other requirement it deems necessary to protect adjacent or nearby property and promote the public health, safety, and welfare.

D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 11, r. 11-3532

Final Rulemaking published at 62 DCR 12168 (9/4/2015)