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Washington, D.C.

Zoning Reports & Verification Letters in Washington, D.C.

How to request a zoning verification letter in Washington, D.C., what it costs and who to contact, plus ALTA zoning reports for any Washington, D.C. property.

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Direct: (405) 928-9679 [email protected]

How to get a zoning verification letter in Washington, D.C.

  1. Log in to the Office of Zoning's Interactive Zoning Information System (IZIS) and request a Certification of Zoning.
  2. Give the requester's name and address and the property's square, lot and street address.
  3. Upload a PDF plat, no larger than 11 by 17 inches, prepared by the DC Surveyor or a DC-licensed engineer, and pay the $50 fee.
  4. For a Zoning Compliance Letter from the Zoning Administrator instead, request, pay and receive it online through Access DC (citizenaccess.dc.gov).
The Certification of Zoning bears the Office of Zoning Director's certification of the lot's zoning district. The Office of Zoning's FAQ also describes an informal zoning verification within 3 business days and gives 14 business days for the official, notarized certification.
The Zoning Administrator at DOB (1100 4th Street SW, (202) 671-3500) issues zoning determination letters on whether a proposed project conforms; letters issued on or before September 30, 2022 require a FOIA request.
Washington, D.C. zoning letter at a glance
Document
Certification of Zoning (Office of Zoning); Zoning Compliance Letter (DOB)
Office
DC Office of Zoning (certifications); Office of the Zoning Administrator, Department of Buildings (compliance and determination letters)
Address
Office of Zoning: 441 4th Street NW, Suite 200S, Washington, DC 20001
Phone
(202) 727-6311
Email
[email protected]
How
Online request (IZIS)
Fee
$50 for a Certification of Zoning; DC Code § 6-1406.02 sets Zoning Compliance Letter fees at $25 for a single lot and $100 for other requests
Typical time
Certification of Zoning within 10 business days; DOB Zoning Compliance Letter within three business days
Official info
DC Office of Zoning: Request a Certification of Zoning

Zoning in Washington, D.C.

Zoning Regulations of 2016 (11 DCMR)

D.C. is zoned under the Zoning Regulations of 2016, Title 11 of the DC Municipal Regulations, which followed the Zoning Regulations of 1958. The five-member Zoning Commission adopts and amends the regulations and the Zoning Map, and the Zoning Administrator at the Department of Buildings interprets and administers them.

Did you know?

Two of the five Zoning Commission seats are federal: the Architect of the Capitol and the Director of the National Park Service, or their representatives.

HEIGHT ACT

a federal law, not the zoning code, caps how tall D.C. can build The Height of Buildings Act of 1910, signed by President William Howard Taft on June 1, 1910, limits a building in Washington to the width of the street it faces plus 20 feet. It sets caps of 90 feet on residential streets, 130 feet on commercial streets and 160 feet on part of the north side of Pennsylvania Avenue NW. It amended an 1899 act passed after the 164-foot Cairo Hotel went up in 1894.

City letter or ZoningWorx report?

A local zoning letter is often enough for a quick check. Lenders, title companies and counsel usually need more.

Washington, D.C. zoning letter
  • Confirms the zoning district
  • Issued on the government's timeline
  • Format and detail vary
  • Requested and followed up by you
ZoningWorx report
  • Delivered in as little as 24–48 hours
  • Zoning, permitted uses, setbacks, height, parking
  • Nonconforming status and right to rebuild
  • ALTA 3.0 & 3.1 compliant; Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac accepted
  • Certified to your lender, title company and counsel
Order a Washington, D.C. zoning reportSee sample reports

Washington, D.C. zoning questions

How do I get a zoning verification letter in Washington, D.C.?

Log in to the Office of Zoning's Interactive Zoning Information System (IZIS) and request a Certification of Zoning. Give the requester's name and address and the property's square, lot and street address. Upload a PDF plat, no larger than 11 by 17 inches, prepared by the DC Surveyor or a DC-licensed engineer, and pay the $50 fee. For a Zoning Compliance Letter from the Zoning Administrator instead, request, pay and receive it online through Access DC (citizenaccess.dc.gov).

How much does a zoning letter cost in Washington, D.C.?

$50 for a Certification of Zoning; DC Code § 6-1406.02 sets Zoning Compliance Letter fees at $25 for a single lot and $100 for other requests.

How long does it take to get a zoning letter in Washington, D.C.?

Certification of Zoning within 10 business days; DOB Zoning Compliance Letter within three business days.

What type of zoning does Washington, D.C. use?

D.C. is zoned under the Zoning Regulations of 2016, Title 11 of the DC Municipal Regulations, which followed the Zoning Regulations of 1958. The five-member Zoning Commission adopts and amends the regulations and the Zoning Map, and the Zoning Administrator at the Department of Buildings interprets and administers them.

Sources

Fees and processes checked against official sources in October 2026. Governments change them; confirm before you rely on them, or let ZoningWorx handle the request.