Height of Buildings Act

Aerial view of Pennsylvania Avenue facing U.S. Capitol building

Is it Time to Revise D.C.’s Height Act?

The century-old rule has shaped the District’s iconic horizontal skyline, but some Council members say it need revision in light of the region’s growing housing crisis.

May 12, 2023 - WTOP

D.C.’s Height Limits: Are You Ready for Some Football?

Congress is working on increasing height limits in Washington D.C. Rep. Darrell Issa (R-California) based pitching increased the limits by appealing to that fundamental American passion: football.

March 21, 2014 - Roll Call

Congress Inching Toward Small Changes to D.C. Height Restrictions

A strange scene this week: members of Congress discussing height restrictions in one of the country's largest urban centers. In the end, a House committee approved a bill that would loosen D.C.’s century-old Height of Buildings Act.

March 13, 2014 - Washington Business Journal

D.C.'s Neighborhood Committees Exert a "Great Weight" on Development: For Better or Worse?

Although they're not decision-making bodies, D.C.'s Advisory Neighborhood Committees (ANC’s) exert a powerful influence on the city's development process. David M. Schwarz Architects examine whether that's for better or for worse.

September 30, 2013 - Parchment

Not So Fast Feds, Say D.C. Planners, We Want Major Changes to Height Limits

In D.C.'s ongoing height limit saga, the other shoe has dropped. Just two weeks after the federal government recommended minimal changes to the limits, their partner in the study - D.C.'s Office of Planning - has come to a very different conclusion.

September 25, 2013 - Washington City Paper

Study Likely to Recommend Few Changes to D.C. Height Limits

A congressionally mandated study into potentially altering D.C.'s Height of Buildings Act of 1910, which has kept the city's skyline uniquely low, will recommend small tweaks to the rules and further study of relaxing limits outside downtown.

September 12, 2013 - Greater Greater Washington

New Study Makes Economic Case for Increasing D.C. Height Limits

As part of a study into potential changes to D.C.'s Height of Buildings Act requested by Congress, the results of an economic feasibility analysis were presented this week. Relaxing limits would create jobs and several thousand new housing units.

July 25, 2013 - The Washington Post

Discussion on Increasing D.C. Height Limits Becomes One-Sided Debate

A public presentation by the D.C. Office of Planning on the potential for amending the city's controversial height limits revealed residents' many concerns, and little support, for the Congressionally mandated review.

May 16, 2013 - Washington City Paper

NCPC to Study Relaxing D.C. Building Height Limits

In response to a formal request from Congress, the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) has agreed to study potential changes to D.C.'s Height of Buildings Act of 1910, a step that could result in the eventual change of the controversial law.

November 8, 2012 - The Washington Post

Push to Loosen D.C. Height Limits Gains Momentum

Tim Craig reports on a new push by federal and city officials to relax Washington D.C.'s building height restrictions, reopening decades-old debates about the look, feel and character of the city.

April 13, 2012 - The Washington Post

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