D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 11, r. 11-771
Except as specified in §§ 771.5 and 771.6 and chapters 20 through 25 of this title, the maximum permitted floor area ratio of a building or structure in a Commercial District shall be as specified in this section.
For a building or structure for which an application for a building permit was filed on or after November 17, 1978, the maximum permitted floor area ratio shall be as set forth in the following table:
ZONE DISTRICT | APARTMENT HOUSE OR OTHER RESIDENTIALUSE OR PUBLIC SCHOOL | OTHER PERMITTED USE | MAXIMUM PERMITTED (FAR) |
| C-1 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 |
| C-2-A | 2.5 | 1.5 | 2.5 |
| C-2-B, C-2-B-1 | 3.5 | 1.5 | 3.5 |
| C-2-C | 6.0 | 2.0 | 6.0 |
| C-3-A | 4.0 | 2.5 | 4.0 |
| C-3-B | 5.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| C-3-C | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| C-4 | 8.5 | 8.5 | 8.5 |
| C-5 (PAD) | 10.0 | 10.0 | 10.0 |
For a building or structure in existence with a valid Certificate of Occupancy prior to November 17, 1978, or for which an application for a building permit was filed prior to November 17, 1978, the maximum floor area ratio to be devoted to an "other permitted use" shall be as shown in the table in § 771.2. An "apartment house or other residential use" may occupy all or any portion of the building or structure.
As an alternative to purchasing transferable development rights to achieve additional density as permitted in the receiving zones described in §§ 1709.15 through 1709.19, a building or structure located in any such zones that is being developed as part of an approved New Community Plan approved by the Council of the District of Columbia or that qualify as a low or moderate income subsidized housing development as defined in § 3042.2 ("Eligible Projects") may utilize the following additional density as a matter of right, provided that the Zoning Administrator determines that the proposed building or structure is not inconsistent with the approved New Community Plan, if applicable, or the Comprehensive Plan:
In the C-4 District, a building or structure that is erected to a height in excess of one hundred ten feet (110 ft.) as permitted in § 770.4 may have a floor area ratio not exceeding ten (10.0), except as provided in § 2405.2.
In the C-5 (PAD) District, the maximum permitted floor area ratio, as specified in §§ 771.1 through 771.3, may be increased as provided in §§ 762.1 and 762.2.
In the computation of gross floor area for a hotel, guestroom areas and service areas shall be charged against the floor area ratio for "apartment house or other residential use," as specified in §§ 771.1 through 771.3.
In the computation of gross floor area for a hotel, function rooms, exhibit space, and commercial adjuncts shall be charged against the floor area ratio for "other permitted use," as specified in §§ 771.1 through 771.3.
For the purposes of this section, an inn or community-based residential facility shall be charged against the floor area ratio for "apartment house or other residential use," as specified in §§ 771.1 through 771.3.
In a C-1 District, the maximum floor area ratio requirements may be increased for specific public school buildings or structures, but shall not exceed the floor area ratio 1.8.
D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 11, r. 11-771