The Mixed-Use (MU) zones provide for mixed-use developments that permit a broad range of commercial, institutional, and multiple dwelling unit residential development at varying densities. The MU-5 Zone is a mixed-use zone that is intended to be applied throughout the city consistent with the density designation of the Comprehensive Plan. A zone may be applied to more than 1 density designation.
The MU-5 zones (MU-5A & MU-5B are intended to:
- Permit medium-density, compact mixed-use development with an emphasis on residential use;
- Provide facilities for shopping and business needs, housing, and mixed-uses for large segments of the District of Columbia outside of the central core; and
- Be located on arterial streets, in uptown and regional centers, and at rapid transit stops.
| Development Standards | ||||||||
| Floor Area Ratio (max.) | Height (ft.) | Penthouse Height (ft.)/Stories1 | Lot Occupancy (percentage) |
Rear Yard (ft.) | Side Yard (ft.) | Green Area Ratio | Zoning Regulation Reference | |
| MU-5A | 3.5 | 65 | 12 except 18ft. - 6 in. for penthouse mechanical space | 80 | 152 | No side setback is required; however, if a side setback is provided it shall be at least 2 in. wide for each 1 ft. of height of building but no less than 5 ft.3 | 0.3 | Subtitle G, Chapter 4 |
| 4.2 (IZ) | 70 (IZ) | |||||||
| 1.54 (non-residential) | N/A | 1; Second Story permitted for penthouse mechanical space | 8 ft. for a single-family detached or semi-detached dwelling | |||||
| MU-5-B | 3.5 | 75 | 20 | 80 | 152 | No side setback is required; however, if a side setback is provided it shall be at least 2 in. wide for each 1 ft. of height of building but no less than 5 ft.3 | 0.3 | Subtitle G, Chapter 4 |
| 4.2 (IZ) | ||||||||
| 1.54 (non-residential) | N/A | 1; Second story permitted for penthouse mechanical space | 8 ft. for a single-family detached or semi-detached dwelling | |||||
| Use Permissions | Courts | Parking | Inclusionary Zoning |
| Subtitle U, Chapter 5 | Subtitle G § 202 | Subtitle C, Chapter 7 | Subtitle C, Chapter 10 |
1 Except as prohibited on the roof of a detached dwelling, semi-detached dwelling, rowhouse, or flat in Subtitle C § 1500.4.
2 See Subtitle G § 405.4 and 404.5 for measuring the rear yard.
3 Any portion of a building setback from the side lot line shall be considered a side yard and not a courtyard.
4 In the MU-4 and MU-5 zones, an existing building on a lot with an area 10,000 sq. ft. or less, may have a maximum density of 2.0 FAR for non-residential uses, provided the uses are located in the ground story and the story directly above the ground story. For new construction, any additional use is limited to 0.5 FAR.