What it is

The DC Office of Zoning (DCOZ) provides administrative, professional and technical assistance to the Zoning Commission and the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA), the two bodies that oversee and decide zoning matters in the District. The BZA is a five-member quasi-judicial body that hears variances, special exceptions and appeals of administrative decisions. DCOZ is at 441 4th Street NW, Suite 200S, Washington, DC 20001.

What it offers founders

  • Zoning maps: an interactive map searchable by address, square and lot, parcel or case number.
  • Zoning Regulations: the 2016 regulations, the 1958 regulations and a zone conversion table.
  • Zoning verification and certification: informal verification by phone or email within 3 business days, a $50 verification request through IZIS answered within 10 business days, and a $50 notarized certification of zoning within 14 business days.
  • Case records and hearings: the Interactive Zoning Information System (IZIS) for filings and records, BZA case search, order search, a hearing calendar, live virtual hearings and sign-up to testify.
  • Zoning Handbook: a plain-language guide to understanding and taking part in zoning.

Who it is for

Founders signing a lease, opening a storefront, restaurant, studio or light manufacturing space, or running a business from home in DC should check zoning before committing to a location. Note that the Zoning Administrator at the Department of Buildings, not DCOZ, reviews Certificate of Occupancy applications for allowable uses, and answers questions on permitted uses at (202) 671-3500, Option 6.

How to engage

Look up your property on the zoning map, then confirm permitted uses with the Zoning Administrator. If your project does not conform, the Zoning Administrator identifies the relief needed, and you file a BZA application through DCOZ using IZIS. Hearings are currently held virtually. The FAQ page covers filing details and fees, and the services page lists all tools. Call (202) 727-6311 for help with the process. DCOZ has warned of phishing and fake invoice emails impersonating the office, so verify any payment request directly.

Why it matters in the DMV ecosystem

Zoning determines whether a business use is allowed at a specific address, and a mismatch can delay a Certificate of Occupancy and a business license. Checking early with DCOZ tools can save founders time and money on a DC location.