ZR 2016 — Zoning Regulations of 2016 (11 DCMR) (DC)
Tracked preemption from the District of Columbia overlay bundle.
Overview
← All state preemptionsDistrict of Columbia overlay roll-upDistrict of Columbia zoning wikiDistrict of Columbia building codesFederal overlaysGlossaryFederal-conflict: Yes
Effective
2016-09-06
Sunset
—
Authority
district
Scope
state:DC
Other District of Columbia preemptions
NCPC Submission Guidelines — tightened federal review staging (in force 2026-01-08)New York Avenue (NYE) text/map amendments — fixed 8% IZ set-asideComprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2021 — District Elements + NCPC Federal ElementsDC Inclusionary Zoning Plus — deeper affordability overlayDC Inclusionary Zoning — mandatory citywide IZ (ZR 2016 Subtitle C Ch. 10)DC Home Rule Act of 1973 — Congressional review & §602(a) reserved mattersNCPC — federal review of DC projects affecting federal interestDC Zoning Enabling Act — Zoning Commission jurisdiction and federal-appointee structure
Primary-source summary
Local zoning (ZR 2016) can set heights **at or below** the Height Act ceiling. In much of downtown, ZR 2016 matter-of-right height is at or near the federal cap — meaning the federal statute is the binding constraint, not local zoning. Outside downtown, local zoning is typically more restrictive and the Height Act is not binding on the parcel.Trigger predicate
When this evaluates true for a parcel, the law's preempted fields take precedence over base zoning.
always true
Preempted fields
3 fields on the base district schema are rewritten when the trigger fires.
| Field | Op | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
zoning_code_version | override | ZR_2016_11_DCMR | Adopted by Zoning Commission effective 2016-09-06, replacing the 1958 regulations |
zoning_code_consistency_with_comp_plan_required | override | True | DC Code §6-641.07 — ZR 2016 amendments and ZC approvals must be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan |
zoning_code_must_not_exceed_height_act | override | True |
Citation
Authority source
11 DCMR (District of Columbia Municipal Regulations), Title 11 — Zoning Regulations; adopted by the Zoning Commission
§ Subtitles A–Z (A: authority; B: definitions; C: general rules incl. Ch. 10 IZ; D–F: residential R/RF/RA; G–H: MU/NC; I: Downtown; J: Special Purpose; K: specific-area overlays; L: Waterfront; M: parking/TDM; N: Upper NW; O: Capitol Gateway; P/Q: relief procedures; S: administration; U: use permissions; X: PUDs; Y: BZA/ZC procedures; Z: zoning map)
Research notes
ZR 2016 IS the citywide zoning code (no lower jurisdiction in DC — no counties, no separately incorporated municipalities). Subtitle K carries specific-area overlays (Capitol Hill, Georgetown, etc.) that function as sub-state geographic overlays within DC. Must conform to Height Act (federal ceiling), be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan, and not infringe NCPC-jurisdictional areas.