Section 10-A507. H-1.5 REDUCING BARRIERS TO PRODUCTION

 

507.1The development of housing may be hampered by both governmental and non-governmental constraints. Governmental constraints include lengthy delays in permit processing and plan approval, insufficient coordination among agencies and utilities, zoning regulations which may not reflect contemporary housing trends, and even prohibitions on certain types of housing. Non-governmental constraints include the high cost of land and rising interest rates. Although much progress has been made in the last five years, serious barriers still exist. Fear of these barriers keeps some developers from undertaking projects in the city at all. 507.1

 

507.2Policy H-1.5.1: Land and Building Regulations

 

Ensure that the District’s land regulations, including its housing and building codes, its zoning regulations, its construction standards, and its permitting fees, enable the production of housing for all income groups. Avoid regulations which make it prohibitively expensive or difficult to construct housing. 507.2

 

507.3Policy H-1.5.2: Permitting Procedures

 

Minimize the cost and time associated with development processing, while still addressing community and environmental concerns. Explore measures to improve the permitting process, provided that such measures are consistent with other provisions of the Comprehensive Plan. 507.3

 

507.4Policy H-1.5.3: Modular Construction

 

Ensure that the District’s building and housing codes permit the appropriate use of modular and manufactured construction techniques, and other construction methods which may reduce housing costs without compromising design quality. 507.4

 

507.5Policy H-1.5.4: Financial Incentives

 

Consider tax incentives, reduced permitting and infrastructure fees, underwriting land costs, and other financial measures to reduce the cost of affordable housing construction. 507.5

 

507.6Action H-1.5.A: Administrative Improvements

 

Undertake the administrative changes outlined by the 2006 Comprehensive Housing Strategy to streamline the production and preservation of assisted and mixed income housing. These changes include the designation of a “chief of housing” to coordinate, facilitate, enable and implement city housing policy, including the policies of independent city housing and public development agencies. 507.6

 

507.7Action H-1.5.B: Changes to the Zoning Regulations

 

Explore changes which would facilitate development of accessory apartments (also called “granny flats” or in-law units), English basements, and single room occupancy housing units. Any changes to existing regulations should be structured to ensure minimal impacts on surrounding uses and neighborhoods. 507.7

 

507.8Action H-1.5.C: Smart Housing Codes

 

Update and modernize the DC Housing Code to reflect the current trend toward “smart” housing codes, which are structured to encourage building rehabilitation and reuse of housing units built before modern building codes were enacted. 507.8

 

“Take the risk of giving home ownership loans to low income renters to encourage as many renters to become owners as possible.” - Participant at a Comprehensive Plan workshop.

 

507.9Action H-1.5.D: Data Management

 

Maintain electronic inventories on existing housing and potential development sites for the benefit of residents, developers, and policy makers. This information should be used to track housing development and should be used to promote better-informed choices regarding public investment and affordable housing development. 507.9

 

notation

The provisions of Title 10, Part A of the DCMR accessible through this web interface are codification of the District Elements of the Comprehensive Plan for the National Capital. As such, they do not represent the organic provisions adopted by the Council of the District of Columbia. The official version of the District Elements only appears as a hard copy volume of Title 10, Part A published pursuant to section 9a of the District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1994, effective April 10, 1984 (D.C. Law 5-76; D.C. Official Code § 1 -301.66)) . In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions accessible through this site and the provisions contained in the published version of Title 10, Part A, the provisions contained in the published version govern. A copy of the published District Elements is available www.planning.dc.gov.