A First Look at Washington, D.C.'s New Zoning Code

"Last week, the D.C. Zoning Commission quietly approved an overhaul of the existing zoning code," according to an article by Martin Austermuhle, "bringing to an end proceedings that began in 2007, spanning three mayoral administrations and involving hundreds of residents and stakeholders in dozens upon dozens of public meetings."

After setting the context for the process to create the new zoning code (the city's old code was created in 1958, though changes made since then made the code confusing, according to some observers), the article digs into the significant changes included in the new zoning code. Austermuhle notes the following provisions in the new code: more permissive use of accessory dwelling units, lower parking requirements, more corner stores in residential neighborhoods, and multiple other use designation changes around the city.

The article concludes by digging into the causes behind the zoning code updates long, laborious process.