D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 11, r. 11-400
Except as specified in this chapter and in Chapters 20 through 25 of this title, the height of buildings or structures, not including the penthouse, in a Residence District shall not exceed that given in the following table:
ZONE DISTRICT | MAXIMUM HEIGHT (Feet) | MAXIMUM HEIGHT (Stories) |
R-1-A, R-1-B, R-2, R-3, R-5-A R-5-B R-5-C R-5-D R-5-E | 40 50 60 90 90 | 3 no limit no limit no limit no limit |
R-4 ZONE DISTRICT | ||
New construction of 3 or more immediately adjoining one- or two-family row dwellings built concurrently on separate record lots All other structures | 40 35 | 3 3 |
Except as provided in § 2510, the height of buildings or structures specified in § 400.1 may be exceeded as provided in §§ 400.3 through 400.13 and § 400.23.
A spire, tower, dome, pinnacle, minaret serving as an architectural embellishment, or antenna may be erected to a height in excess of that which this section otherwise authorizes in the district in which it is located.
A chimney or smokestack may be erected to a height in excess of that authorized in the district in which it is located when required by other municipal law or regulation.
A penthouse may be erected to a height in excess of that authorized in the district in which it is located. The height of a penthouse, except as restricted in § 400.6 and as prohibited on the roof of a detached dwelling, semi-detached dwelling, rowhouse, or flat in any zone in § 411.5, as measured from the surface of the roof upon which the penthouse is located, shall not exceed that given in the following table:
| ZONE DISTRICT | MAXIMUM PENTHOUSE HEIGHT | MAXIMUM PENTHOUSE STORIES |
| R-1-A, R-1-B, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5-A | 12 ft. | 1 |
| R-5-B | 12 ft. except 15 ft. for penthouse mechanical space | 1; second story permitted for penthouse mechanical space |
| R-5-C | 12 ft., except 18 ft. 6 in. for penthouse mechanical space | 1; second story permitted for penthouse mechanical space |
| R-5-D | 20 ft. | 1 plus mezzanine; second story permitted for penthouse mechanical space |
| R-5-E | 20 ft. | 1 plus mezzanine; second story permitted for penthouse mechanical space |
A non-residential building constructed pursuant to §§ 400.7 through 400.12 shall be permitted a mechanical penthouse to a maximum height of eighteen feet six inches (18 ft. 6. in.).
A building or other structure may be erected to a height not exceeding ninety feet (90 ft.); provided, that the building or structure shall be removed from all lot lines of its lot for a distance equal to the height of the building or structure above the natural grade.
A church may be erected to a height of sixty feet (60 ft.); provided, that it shall not exceed the number of stories permitted in the district in which it is located.
An institutional building or structure may be erected to a height not exceeding ninety feet (90 ft.); provided, that the building or structure shall be removed from all lot lines of its lot a distance of not less than one foot (1 ft.) for each foot of height in excess of that authorized in the district in which it is located.
In an R-1, R-2, R-3, and R-4 District, a public school building or structure may be erected to a height not exceeding sixty feet (60 ft.).
In an R-5-A, R-5-B, and R-5-C District, a public school building or structure may be erected to a height not exceeding ninety feet (90 ft.).
In an R-5-B District, a college or university building or structure covered by an approved campus plan may be erected to a height not exceeding sixty feet (60 ft.).
Where required by An Act To Regulate the Height of Buildings in the District of Columbia, approved June 1, 1910 (36 Stat. 452, as amended; D.C. Official Code §§ 6-601.01 to 6-601.09 (formerly codified at D.C. Code §§ 5-401 to 5-409 (1994 Repl. & 1999 Supp.))), a height in excess of that permitted shall be authorized by the Mayor.
A public recreation and community center in any residential zone may be erected to a height not to exceed forty-five feet (45 ft.).
The height of buildings in R zones shall be measured in accordance with the rules provided in §§ 400.16 through 400.21. If more than one (1) of these subsections applies to a building, the rule permitting the greater height shall apply.
The building height measuring point (BHMP) shall be established at the existing grade at the mid-point of the building façade of the principal building that is closest to a street lot line.
The height of a building with a flat roof shall be measured from the BHMP to the highest point of the roof excluding parapets and balustrades not exceeding four feet (4 ft.) in height.
The height of a building with a roof that is not a flat roof shall be measured as follows:
The height of a building permitted to be ninety feet (90 ft.) shall be measured from the BHMP to the highest point of the roof excluding parapets and balustrades not exceeding four feet (4 ft.) in height.
Where a building is removed from all lot lines by a distance equal to its proposed height above grade, the height of building shall be measured from the BHMP to the highest point of the roof or parapet.
If a building fronts on more than one (1) street, any front may be used to determine street frontage; but the basis for measuring the height of the building shall be established by the street selected as the front of the building.
A conforming structure in existence on June 14, 2013 that would have been rendered nonconforming as a result of the adoption of amendments to this section made in Z.C. Order No. 12-11 shall be deemed conforming; provided that the height of the structure may neither be increased or extended.
In an R-4 Zone District, a building or other structure may be erected to a height not exceeding forty feet (40 ft.) if approved by the Board of Zoning Adjustment as a special exception, under § 3104, subject to the following conditions, except that if the building is being converted to an apartment house, special exception relief from the thirty-five foot (35 ft.) height limitation is only available pursuant to §§ 336 or 337 as applicable:
In an R-4 Zone District, the following provisions shall apply:
In an R 4 Zone District, relief from the design requirements of § 400.24 may be approved by the Board of Zoning Adjustment as a special exception under § 3104, subject to the conditions of § 400.23(a), (b), and (c). If relief is granted from compliance with § 400.24(b) or (c), the special exception shall not be conditioned upon compliance with that same requirement as stated in § 400.23(a)(3) or (4).
D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 11, r. 11-400