Georgetown Zoning Overview

Georgetown is a historic neighborhood in Ward 2 of Washington, DC, with a population of approximately 8,887–11,039 residents. One of the oldest and most affluent neighborhoods in the District, Georgetown is unique in several important ways: it is the only DC neighborhood governed by a federal historic preservation law (the Old Georgetown Act of 1950), it uses residential zone codes (R-19, R-20) found nowhere else in DC, and it has no Washington Metro station. Georgetown is a neighborhood of the District of Columbia — it does not have its own municipality or planning department, but it is subject to both DC zoning and federal historic oversight.

All zoning in Georgetown is administered by the DC Office of Zoning (DCOZ), but exterior alterations also require federal review under the Old Georgetown Act:

• DCOZ: dcoz.dc.gov | (202) 671-3500
• Interactive Zoning Map: maps.dcoz.dc.gov/zr16
• DC Zoning Regulations (Title 11 DCMR): dcregs.dc.gov — Georgetown-specific provisions in Subtitle D, Chapter 12
• DC Zoning Handbook: handbook.dcoz.dc.gov
• Building Permits — DC Department of Buildings (DOB): dob.dc.gov | (202) 671-3500
  • Address: 1100 4th Street SW, Washington, DC 20024
• Old Georgetown Act Review — U.S. Commission of Fine Arts (CFA): Required for all exterior work
• Old Georgetown Board (OGB): Federal review body for exterior alterations under the Old Georgetown Act
• Advisory Neighborhood Commission: ANC 2E (Ward 2)

Zoning Districts

Georgetown's zoning falls under DC's 2016 Zoning Regulations (ZR16), but with Georgetown-specific residential zone codes defined in Title 11 DCMR Subtitle D, Chapter 12 — zones that exist nowhere else in Washington, DC:

• R-19 — Georgetown-specific low-density residential zone. Found only in Georgetown. Governs lower-density residential portions of the neighborhood. Standards are set out in Title 11 DCMR Subtitle D Chapter 12.
• R-20 — Georgetown-specific residential zone. Found only in Georgetown. The primary residential zone for Georgetown's rowhouse blocks. Standards are set out in Title 11 DCMR Subtitle D Chapter 12.
• MU-3 — Mixed-Use (low-medium density). Applied to portions of the M Street NW and Wisconsin Avenue NW commercial corridors, permitting retail, restaurants, and offices at modest scale.
• MU-4 — Mixed-Use (medium density). Applied along the M Street NW and Wisconsin Avenue NW commercial spines, allowing retail, restaurants, offices, and residential uses at up to approximately 50 feet in height.
• W-0, W-1, W-2, W-3 — Waterfront zones along the Potomac River and C&O Canal waterfront. These zones govern waterfront land uses and development at varying intensities. W-0 is the most restrictive; W-3 permits more intensive uses.

For the precise zone applicable to any specific address, use the DC interactive zoning map or contact DCOZ at (202) 671-3500.

Note on setbacks: Georgetown's R-19 and R-20 zones have setback standards defined in Chapter 12 of Title 11 DCMR Subtitle D. For exact requirements for your property, contact DCOZ at (202) 671-3500 or consult Title 11 DCMR at dcregs.dc.gov.

The Old Georgetown Act: Federal Historic Oversight

Georgetown is the only neighborhood in Washington, DC governed by a federal historic preservation law — the Old Georgetown Act of 1950 (D.C. Code § 6-1201 et seq.). This federal statute makes Georgetown fundamentally different from all other DC historic districts.

Key Features of the Old Georgetown Act

• Applies to ALL exterior work on ALL properties in Georgetown — not just individually designated landmarks
• Federal review required by the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) and the Old Georgetown Board (OGB) — these are federal bodies, separate from DC's Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB)
• Scope: Covers new construction, additions, alterations, and demolitions visible from a public street
• National Historic Landmark status: Georgetown is a National Historic Landmark district
• Interior work generally does not require Old Georgetown Act review

What This Means for Property Owners

If you own property in Georgetown and plan any exterior work — including window replacement, painting in a new color, adding a deck visible from the street, or constructing an addition — you must obtain CFA/OGB approval in addition to a DC building permit. This review process adds time and cost to projects. Plan accordingly and consult with DCOZ and the CFA before beginning any exterior project.

Georgetown's Unique Zone Codes

The R-19 and R-20 residential zone codes are unique to Georgetown — they are defined in a dedicated chapter of DC's zoning regulations (Title 11 DCMR Subtitle D, Chapter 12) and are not used in any other DC neighborhood. When researching zoning standards for Georgetown residential properties, be sure to consult the Georgetown-specific chapter rather than the general DC residential zone standards.

C&O Canal and Waterfront Zones

Georgetown's waterfront along the Potomac River and the Chesapeake & Ohio (C&O) Canal is governed by the W-0 through W-3 waterfront zones. These zones regulate land use and development along Georgetown's historic waterfront, including the Georgetown Waterfront Park and the Washington Harbour complex. Properties in W zones are subject to waterfront-specific development standards under Title 11 DCMR.

ADU Rules

DC permits accessory dwelling units (ADUs), referred to as "accessory apartments" in DC zoning regulations, in many residential zones under Title 11 DCMR. In Georgetown, accessory apartments may be permitted in R-19 and R-20 zones subject to size limits and occupancy requirements. Critical note: Because the Old Georgetown Act applies to all exterior alterations in Georgetown, any exterior modification associated with an ADU conversion (such as adding a separate entrance) requires review by the CFA and OGB. Contact DCOZ at (202) 671-3500 before proceeding with an ADU project in Georgetown.

Development Process

Development in Georgetown requires working with both DC-level agencies and federal bodies:

1. Zoning Verification — Look up your property on the DC zoning map or contact DCOZ at (202) 671-3500 to confirm the applicable zone (R-19, R-20, MU, or W)
2. Old Georgetown Act Review — Submit an application to the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) / Old Georgetown Board (OGB) for any exterior work — this is required before a DC building permit can be issued for exterior alterations
3. Building Permit — Apply through the DC Department of Buildings (DOB) at dob.dc.gov or in person at 1100 4th Street SW, Washington, DC 20024
4. Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) — For variances or special exceptions, apply to the BZA through DCOZ
5. Zoning Commission — Map amendments (rezonings) are heard by the DC Zoning Commission
6. Inspections and Certificate of Occupancy — Schedule inspections through DOB and obtain a Certificate of Occupancy before use

Key Considerations

• Every exterior alteration in Georgetown requires CFA/OGB review under the Old Georgetown Act — this is unlike any other DC neighborhood and is the most important consideration for Georgetown property owners
• Use the DC zoning map to confirm your zone — Georgetown uses R-19 and R-20 codes not found elsewhere in DC
• Georgetown-specific zoning standards are in Title 11 DCMR Subtitle D, Chapter 12
• Georgetown has no Metro station — transportation and parking are key neighborhood issues
• Properties along the Potomac waterfront and C&O Canal are subject to W-zone waterfront regulations
• Check for flood zones using FEMA's flood map service — portions near the river are in flood zones
• Georgetown's ANC 2E provides community input on zoning and development applications
• DC Open Data at opendata.dc.gov provides parcel-level data and permit history

Disclaimer: This guide provides general information about zoning in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, DC and should not be relied upon as legal advice. Georgetown is subject to both DC zoning regulations and the federal Old Georgetown Act, which adds complexity beyond most DC neighborhoods. Zoning codes and federal review requirements are subject to change. Always verify current regulations directly with the DC Office of Zoning (DCOZ), the DC Zoning Regulations (Title 11 DCMR), and the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts before making development decisions.