DC's Alley Lot Zoning Overhaul Is Set to Become Law

• 9:11 AM EDT

by UrbanTurf Staff

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A sweeping set of zoning changes aimed at unlocking DC's roughly 1,900 alley lots for more housing is on the verge of becoming law.

The Zoning Commission is expected to take final rulemaking action on June 11, capping a process that drew over 200 letters of support and involved 15 community meetings spanning more than a year. The changes would represent the most significant update to alley lot regulations in six years.

The centerpiece of the proposal is opening up residential development on alley lots in R-1 and R-2 zones, which had previously been off-limits for housing. The Office of Planning estimates that around 511 vacant alley lots meet the minimum size threshold of 450 square feet and could realistically see new homes built under the amended rules. On the development standards side, the matter-of-right building height for alley structures would increase from 20 feet to 25 feet, parking requirements would be eliminated for most alley lot uses, and a second unit would be permitted on lots meeting minimum area thresholds.

One closely watched issue during the process was alley width. The Office of Planning had originally proposed dropping the minimum subdivision width from 24 feet to 15 feet, but the Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department pushed back on safety grounds. The Commission sided with FEMS, retaining the 24-foot matter-of-right standard while creating a new special exception pathway for narrower alleys.

The Commission voted 5-0 in March to publish the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, and if the June vote goes as expected, the rules could take effect shortly thereafter.

This article originally published at https://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/dcs_alley_lot_zoning_overhaul_is_set_to_become_law/24689.