The PDR-5 zone is intended to:
- Permit moderate-density commercial and PDR activities employing a large workforce and requiring some heavy machinery under controls that minimize any adverse impacts on adjacent, more restrictive zones;
- Promote and protect the public health, safety, and general welfare of the U.S. Capitol precinct and the area adjacent to this jurisdiction, in a manner consistent with the goals and mandates of the United States Congress in Title V of the Legislative Branch Appropriation Act, 1976 (Master Plan for Future Development of the Capitol Grounds and Related Areas), approved July 25, 1975 (Pub. L. No. 94-59, 89 Stat. 288), and in accordance with the plan submitted to the Congress pursuant to the Act;
- Reflect the importance of and provide sufficient controls for the area adjacent to the U.S. Capitol;
- Provide particular controls adjacent to properties having a well-recognized general public interest; and
- Restrict some of the permitted uses to reduce the possibility of harming the site, building, or zone to be protected.

Development Standards | |||||||
Floor Area Ratio (max.)1, 2 | Height (ft.)3, 4/ Stories |
Transition Setback | Rear Setback (ft.) | Side Setback (ft.) | Green Area Ratio (min.) | Zoning Regulation Reference | |
PDR-5 | 3.5 | 40 | See Subtitle J § 207 | See Subtitle J § 205 | None unless abutting a residential zone or lot developed for residential use (see Subtitle J § 206) | 0.30 (see Subtitle J § 208) | Subtitle J, Chapter 2 |
2.0 (max. for restricted uses) | 3 (max.) |
Use Permissions | Courts | Parking | Loading | Alley Lots | Inclusionary Zoning |
Subtitle U, Chapter 8 | Subtitle J, § 209 | Subtitle C, Chapter 7 | Subtitle C, Chapter 9 | Subtitle J, Chapter 3 | Subtitle C, Chapter 10 |
1 The following use categories may achieve the maximum FAR: agriculture, large; animal care and boarding and animal shelter; arts, design, and creation; basic utilities; large scale government; production, distribution, and repair; and waste-related services. All other permitted, conditional, or special exception use categories are subject to the maximum restricted uses FAR.
2 Development on a lot that directly abuts a residentially zoned property with a lower height limit, shall not project above a plane drawn at a 1:1 angle subject to the following: (a) the plane shall be measured 10 ft. above the by-right height of the abutting residential property line; and (b) the measuring point shall be established at the middle of the abutting residential property line.
3 A building or other structure may be erected to a height not exceeding 90 ft., provided that the building or structure shall be removed from all lot lines of its lot for a distance equal to the height of the building or structure above the natural grade.
4 An institutional building or structure may be erected to a height not exceeding 90 ft., provided that the building or structure shall be removed from all lot lines of its lot a distance of not less than 1 ft. for each foot of height in excess of that authorized in the zone in which it is located.