Section 11-405. SIDE YARDS (R)

 

405.1In an R-2, R-3, R-4, or R-5 District, a one-family detached dwelling shall be subject to the side yard requirements of an R-1 District.

 

405.2In an R-3, R-4, or R-5 District, a one-family semi-detached dwelling shall be subject to the side yard requirements of an R-2 District.

 

405.3In R-2, R-3, R-4, and R-5 Districts, when a one-family dwelling, flat, or multiple dwelling is erected that does not share a common division wall with an existing building or a building being constructed together with the new building, it shall have a side yard on each resulting free-standing side.

 

405.4Except as provided in § 405.1, in an R-5-A District, one (1) side yard shall be provided for all structures unless the structure is an apartment house containing three (3) or more dwelling units per floor, in which case two (2) side yards shall be provided, each with the minimum width set forth in § 405.9.

 

405.5A side yard shall not be required along a side street abutting a corner lot in a Residence District.

 

405.6Except as provided in §§ 405.1 and 405.2, a side yard shall not be required in an R-3, R-4, R-5-B, R-5-C, R-5-D, or R-5-E District. However, if the yard is provided, it shall be at least three inches (3 in.) wide per foot of height of building, but not less than eight feet (8 ft.) wide.

 

405.7In the case of a lot located in an R-1 or R-2 District proposed to be used by a public school or a public recreation and community center that abuts or adjoins on one (1) or more side lot lines a public open space, recreation area, or reservation, the required side yard may be reduced or omitted.

 

405.8In the case of a building existing on or before May 12, 1958, with a side yard less than eight feet (8 ft.) wide, an extension or addition may be made to the building; provided, that the width of the existing side yard shall not be decreased; and provided further, that the width of the existing side yard shall be a minimum of five feet (5 ft.).

 

405.9Side yards shall be provided on lots in Residence Districts as set forth in the following table, subject to the special requirements of other provisions of this chapter:

 

 

ZONE DISTRICT	MINIMUM WIDTH OF EACH SIDE YARD
R-1-A,R-1-B, R-2     R-3, R-4       R-5-A     R-5-B, R-5-C, R-5-D, R-5-E	8 feet     None required, except as provided under §§ 405.1, 405.2, and 405.6     3 inches per foot of height of building, but not less than 8 ft.   None required, except as provided under §§ 405.1, 405.2, and 405.6.

 

405.10In the case of a lot in an R District proposed to be used by a public library that abuts or adjoins along one (1) or both side lot lines a public open space, recreation area, or reservation, the required side yards may be reduced or omitted.

 

authority

The Zoning Commission for the District of Columbia (the “Commission”), pursuant to its authority under §§ 1, 3, and 8 of the Zoning Act of 1938, approved June 20, 1938 (52 Stat. 797, 798, and 799; D.C. Official Code §§ 6-641.01, 6-641.03, and 6-641.07).

source

§ 3305 of the Zoning Regulations, effective May 12, 1958; as amended by: Zoning Commission Order No. 17, dated November 17, 1970, published at 17 DCR 305 (November 30, 1970); Final Rulemaking published at 39 DCR 8305, 8307 (November 13, 1992); Final Rulemaking published at 47 DCR 9741-43 (December 8, 2000), incorporating by reference the text of Proposed Rulemaking published at 47 DCR 8335, 8369 (October 20, 2000) ; as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 50 DCR 10137 (November 28, 2003); as amended by Final Rulemaking and Order No. 09-17A published at 57 DCR 1898 (March 5, 2010).