Trinidad Zoning Overview

Trinidad is a residential neighborhood in Ward 5 of Washington, DC, with a population of approximately 7,589 residents. Located in the northeast quadrant of the District, Trinidad is bounded by West Virginia Avenue NE, Florida Avenue NE, Mount Olivet Road NE, and Bladensburg Road NE. The neighborhood borders the Capital City Market and Gallaudet University to the west, Carver-Langston to the east, and the industrial neighborhood of Ivy City to the north. The H Street NE commercial corridor borders the neighborhood to the south.

Trinidad is predominantly a rowhouse neighborhood developed in phases. The first two blocks north of Florida Avenue feature classic Victorian rowhouses similar to those of nearby Capitol Hill. Further north, the streets are lined with 1920s-era flat porch-front rowhouses in craftsman style. Northern portions were developed as late as the 1940s. The name "Trinidad" comes from 19th-century speculator James Barry, who had previously lived on the Caribbean island of Trinidad.

The median home sale price in Trinidad has been approximately $550,000 in recent years. Trinidad is served by the NoMa–Gallaudet University Metro station on the Red Line, as well as Metrobus routes B2, D4, D8, and X3.

All zoning in Trinidad is administered by the DC Office of Zoning (DCOZ):

• DCOZ: dcoz.dc.gov | (202) 671-3500
• Interactive Zoning Map: maps.dcoz.dc.gov/zr16
• DC Zoning Regulations (Title 11 DCMR): dcregs.dc.gov
• 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
• Advisory Neighborhood Commission: ANC 5B (Ward 5)

Zoning Districts

Trinidad's zoning falls under DC's 2016 Zoning Regulations (ZR16). The neighborhood is predominantly RF-1 rowhouse zoning:

• RF-1 (Residential Flat, Low Density) — The primary zone for Trinidad's residential blocks. RF-1 permits rowhouse development with up to two dwelling units per lot and a maximum height of 40 feet. This zone covers the Victorian and craftsman-era rowhouses that define the neighborhood's character. RF-1 is the standard zone for dense rowhouse neighborhoods throughout NE and NW DC.

• RF-2 (Residential Flat, Medium-Low Density) — May apply in certain portions of Trinidad. RF-2 permits a greater number of dwelling units within rowhouse-scale buildings than RF-1. For precise parcel-level zoning, use the DC zoning map.

• PDR-1 (Production, Distribution, and Repair, Light Industrial) — Industrial/flex zones may be present in the northern portions of the neighborhood near Ivy City. PDR-1 permits light industrial, production, distribution, and repair 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: In DC rowhouse zones (RF), setbacks are generally governed by the established building line rather than fixed numerical setbacks. For exact requirements for your property, contact DCOZ at (202) 671-3500 or consult Title 11 DCMR at dcregs.dc.gov.

Relationship to H Street NE Corridor

Trinidad's southern edge borders the H Street NE commercial corridor (Atlas District). The H Street NE corridor is governed by unique NC-9 through NC-17 zone codes, while Trinidad's interior residential blocks are RF-1. Property owners near the H Street NE boundary should verify their exact zone using the DC zoning map, as the boundary between RF-1 (residential Trinidad) and the NC corridor zones (H Street NE) follows specific lot lines.

ADU Rules

DC permits accessory dwelling units (ADUs), referred to as "accessory apartments" in DC zoning regulations, under Title 11 DCMR. In Trinidad's RF-1 zone, up to two dwelling units per lot are permitted as principal uses (the two-unit flat model). The accessory apartment framework of Title 11 DCMR applies to R zones, not RF zones. Contact DCOZ at (202) 671-3500 for zone-specific guidance before proceeding with any ADU or second-unit project.

Development Process

Development in Trinidad follows the standard DC development process:

1. Zoning Verification — Look up your property on the DC zoning map or contact DCOZ at (202) 671-3500
2. Building Permit — Apply through the DC Department of Buildings (DOB) at dob.dc.gov or in person at 1100 4th Street SW
3. Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) — For variances or special exceptions, apply through DCOZ
4. Zoning Commission — Map amendments (rezonings) are heard by the DC Zoning Commission
5. ANC Review — ANC 5B (Ward 5) provides community input on development applications
6. Inspections and Certificate of Occupancy — Schedule inspections through DOB

Key Considerations

• Most residential blocks are zoned RF-1 — the two-unit flat model applies, not the accessory apartment framework
• Trinidad does not have a designated historic district; no HPRB overlay applies
• The southern boundary with the H Street NE corridor (NC zones) should be verified on the DC zoning map for properties near the boundary
• The northern portions near Ivy City may include PDR industrial zones — verify your zone
• Ward 5 is one of DC's largest wards; confirm your specific ANC using DC's ward map at planning.dc.gov/maps-wards-2022
• Check for flood zones using FEMA's flood map service
• DC Open Data at opendata.dc.gov provides parcel-level data and permit history

Disclaimer: This guide provides general information about zoning in the Trinidad neighborhood of Washington, DC and should not be relied upon as legal advice. Zoning codes 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 DC Department of Buildings (DOB) before making development decisions.