Learn today, plan for tomorrow.
Sign up for news and offers from Planetizen Courses, the online learning platform for planners.
Digging Into D.C.'s Zoning Code Changes for Accessory Dwelling Units
Washington, D.C. approved a long-awaited new zoning code in January. Greater Greater Washington digs into one of the new code's more substantive changes: more permissive regulations for accessory dwelling units.
Emily Brown reports on the provision of Washington's D.C.'s new zoning code, that allows homeowners to build accessory dwelling units (ADUs) without special permission. "Allowing ADUs to go up more freely is one of the biggest changes of the new zoning code," according to Brown.
Apartments have always been relatively easy for homeowners to add—consider the classic DC "English Basement." Under the old zoning code they were allowed with a special exception, but now they are allowed by right in residential neighborhoods.
Brown details the definition of ADUs according to the new code, and other considerations, such as rental regulations and financial feasibility, for homeowners planning to add ADUs to properties.
Back in January, Planetizen picked up the news about the new zoning code from Martin Austermuhle at WAMU. David Alpert also provided detailed coverage of the approval for Greater Greater Washington.
Published on Tuesday, May 10, 2016 in
Topics
- Which Cities Are Becoming More Violent?
- Texas Central High-Speed Rail Gets Green Light From Feds
- Landlords Facing Loss of Property and Income During Eviction Bans
- Senate Report Proposes Land Use and Transportation Reforms to Get Americans Out of Cars
- An Online Portal for Designing Accessory Dwelling Units
- Houston Lacks Zoning—Or Does It? The State Supreme Court Will Decide
- Keeping Gentrification From Following Green Space
- The Hypocrisies and Troubles of Local Control
- Mapping the Climate Change Future of the United States
- Constitutional Amendment Would Shift Some Gas Tax Revenue to Transit Spending in Nevada
- Purple Line Construction Halts in Maryland as Contractor Woes Deepen
- How Typical Economic Development Kills Community Character
- $1 Billion in New Affordable Housing Funding Announced for Canada
- Report Quantifies the Effects of Trump's Environmental Policy Changes
- Controversial Rezoning for Industry City Mega-Project Finally Withdrawn in New York City
- Pandemic Reveals the Importance of Open Space to Health and Well-Being
- Moving Forward with Metra's Equity-Guided Transit System Plans
- A New Model for Community-Led Neighborhood Revitalization
- Calthorpe Makes the Case for a Corridor-Based Approach to Affordable Housing
- The Causes of California's Development Malaise
