Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Streetsblog

Zoning Reform Will Boost Housing Affordability and Walkability in D.C.

A change to D.C.'s zoning code will allow homeowners to build and rent out a basement apartment, or an apartment over the garage, without the long, expensive hassle of obtaining special permission.

Advocates in many high-rent cities, like Austin, have fought for this kind of legislation. It not only helps alleviate the housing crunch, it also creates better conditions for transit and a mix of uses as more people live closer together.

Garage apartments: Now legal in D.C. Photo: D.C. Office of Planning via Greater Greater Washington
Garage apartments: Now legal in D.C. Photo: D.C. Office of Planning via Greater Greater Washington
false

Emily Brown at Greater Greater Washington explains how this will work:

It used to be that to build a small apartment or detached building, called an accessory dwelling unit (ADU), onto the larger property a house sits on, homeowners in DC had to prove they needed it. Under DC's new zoning code, they have the right to build them without seeking special permission.

An ADU could be a basement or attic apartment, or an apartment over a garage or small cottage in the backyard. The important thing is that you can rent an ADU to a tenant. Allowing ADUs to go up more freely is one of the biggest changes of the new zoning code.

In DC, households are shrinking from large families to singles or couples, while demand for housing is rising. Allowing homeowners to rent out parts of their property can help alleviate this demand, while providing income to offset the increasing cost of property.

Apartments have always been relatively easy for homeowners to add -- consider the classic DC "English Basement." Under the old zoning code they were allowed with a special exception, but now they are allowed by right in residential neighborhoods.

Elsewhere on the Network today: The Political Environment reports that environmental regulators continue to trim sprawl-inducing elements from the Milwaukee suburb of Waukesha's application to divert Great Lakes water. The Urbanist critiques Seattle's new long-term plan. And Streets.mn wonders if Minnesota will do its part to help the Twin Cities realize its vision for light rail.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

‘Preventable’: Hit-and-Run Driver Kills Two on Third. Ave Corridor Eric Adams Refuses to Make Safer

A motorist struck and killed two men on a strip where Mayor Adams recently shelved a safety redesign amid a backlash from local business interests.

July 11, 2025

Why No BRT For NYC? Two New Reports Tackle Why Your Bus Service Sucks

Years of bus priority projects barely made a dent in speeds because Big Apple leaders won't install real bus rapid transit, two recent reports argue.

July 11, 2025

Citi Bike Riders Are Pissed About Eric Adams’s 15 MPH Speed Limit

Citi Bike's new 15 mph max speed limit is a bad deal for riders and a potential threat to safety, riders said.

July 11, 2025

Friday Video: Cyclists, Check Out Your Next City

Streetfilms' Clarence Eckerson visited London earlier this summer to check in on the Big Smoke's cycling revolution.

July 11, 2025

Friday’s Headlines: Just the News Edition

We've got one more workday before we can hit the beach. Plus the news.

July 11, 2025

Council To Close Instacart Loophole, Pass Delivery Industry Regulation Bills

The City Council will vote on Monday to close the "Instacart loophole" and force all app companies to pay workers a minimum wage.

July 10, 2025
See all posts