101.1The Mixed-Use (MU) zones provide for mixed-use developments that permit a broad range of commercial, institutional, and multiple dwelling residential development at varying densities.
101.2 The MU zones are designed to provide facilities for housing, shopping, and business needs, including residential, office, service, and employment centers.
101.3 The MU zones are intended to:
(a) Provide for the orderly development and use of land and structures in the MU zones, characterized by a mixture of land uses;(b) Provide for a varied mix of residential, employment, retail, service, and other related uses at appropriate densities and scale throughout the city;(c) Reflect a variety of building types, including, but not limited to, shop-front buildings which may include a vertical mixture of residential and non-residential uses, buildings made up entirely of residential uses, and buildings made up entirely of non-residential uses;(d) Encourage safe and efficient conditions for pedestrian and motor vehicle movement;(e) Ensure that infill development is compatible with the prevailing development pattern within the zone and surrounding areas;(f) Preserve and enhance existing commercial nodes and surroundings by providing an appropriate scale of development and range of shopping and service opportunities; and(g) Ensure that buildings and developments around fixed rail stations, transit hubs, and streetcar lines are oriented to support active use of public transportation and safety of public spaces.101.4 The purposes of the MU-1 and MU-2 zones are to:
(a) Act as a buffer between adjoining non-residential and residential areas, and to ensure that new development is compatible in use, scale, and design with the transitional function of this zone;(b) Preserve and protect areas adjacent to non-residential uses or zones that contain a mix of row houses, apartments, offices, and institutions at a medium to high density, including buildings of historic and architectural merit; and(c) Permit new residential development at a higher density than new office or institutional developments.101.5 The MU-1 zone is intended to permit moderate-density development in areas predominantly developed with residential buildings but also permitting non-residential buildings.
101.6 The MU-2 zone is intended to permit medium-density development in areas predominantly developed with residential buildings but also permitting non-residential buildings.
101.7 The MU-3 through MU-10 and MU-15 zones are mixed-use zones that are intended to be applied throughout the city consistent with the density designation of the Comprehensive Plan. A zone may be applied to more than one (1) density designation.
101.8 The MU-3 zones are intended to:
(a) Permit low-density mixed-use development; and(b) Provide convenient retail and personal service establishments for the day-to-day needs of a local neighborhood, as well as residential and limited community facilities with a minimum impact upon surrounding residential development.101.9 The MU-4 zone is intended to:
(a) Permit moderate-density mixed-use development;(b) Provide facilities for shopping and business needs, housing, and mixed uses for large segments of the District of Columbia outside of the central core; and(c) Be located in low- and moderate-density residential areas with access to main roadways or rapid transit stops, and include office employment centers, shopping centers, and moderate bulk mixed-use centers.101.10 The MU-5 zones are intended to:
(a) Permit medium-density, compact mixed-use development with an emphasis on residential use;(b) Provide facilities for shopping and business needs, housing, and mixed uses for large segments of the District of Columbia outside of the central core; and(c) Be located on arterial streets, in uptown and regional centers, and at rapid transit stops.101.11 The MU-6 zones are intended to:
(a) Permit medium- to high-density mixed-use development with a focus on residential use; and(b) Provide facilities for shopping and business needs, housing, and mixed uses for large segments of the District of Columbia outside of the central core.101.12 The MU-7 zones are intended to:
(a) Permit medium-density mixed-use development; and(b) Be located on arterial streets, in uptown and regional centers, and at rapid transit stops.101.13 The MU-8 zones are intended to:
(a) Permit medium-density mixed-use development with a focus on employment and residential use;(b) Be located in uptown locations, where a large component of development will be office-retail and other non-residential uses; and(c) Be located in or near the Central Employment Area, on arterial streets, in uptown and regional centers, and at rapid transit stops.101.14 The MU-9 zones are intended to:
(a) Permit high-density mixed-use development including office, retail, and housing, with a focus on employment and residential use; and(b) Be located in or near the Central Employment Area, on arterial streets, in uptown and regional centers, and at rapid transit stops.101.15 The MU-10 zone is intended to:
(a) Permit medium- to high-density mixed-use development with a balance of uses conducive to a higher quality of life and environment for residents, businesses, employees, and institutions;(b) Be applied to areas where a mixture of uses and building densities is intended to carry out elements of the Comprehensive Plan, small area plans, or framework plans, including goals in employment, population, transportation, housing, public facilities, and environmental quality;(c) Require a level of public space at the ground level; and(d) Allow residential and non-residential bulk to be apportioned between two (2) or more lots in the same square.101.16The MU-15 zone is intended to:
(a) Permit high-density mixed-use development including office, retail, and housing, with a focus on employment; and(b) Be located in or near the downtown core that comprises the retail and office centers for both the District of Columbia and the metropolitan area.101.17 The MU-11, MU-12, MU-13, and MU-14 zones are mixed-use zones that are intended to be applied generally in the vicinity of the waterfront.
101.18 The MU-11 zone is intended to:
(a) Permit open space, park, and low-density and low-height waterfront-oriented retail and arts uses; and(b) Be applied in undeveloped waterfront areas.101.19 The MU-12 zone is intended to permit moderate-density mixed-use development generally in the vicinity of the waterfront.
101.20 The MU-13 zone is intended to permit medium-density mixed-use development generally in the vicinity of the waterfront.
101.21 The MU-14 zone is intended to permit high-density mixed-use development generally in the vicinity of the waterfront.
D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 11, r. 11-G101
Final Rulemaking published at 63 DCR 2447 (9/6/2016); amended by Final Rulemaking published at 63 DCR 10932 (9/6/2016); amended by Final Rulemaking published at 64 DCR 000022 (1/6/2017); amended by Final Rulemaking published at 70 DCR 11297 (8/25/2023)