Title 9 – Rowhouse and Multi-Family Residential Districts

The R-5 Transitional Residential Zoning District is intended for those areas that facilitate a transition from primarily single-family neighborhoods to neighborhoods that contain a wider mix of housing types.

The R-5 District is meant to accommodate single-family units in both detached and semi-detached dwellings, rowhouse developments, and limited low-rise multi-family garden apartment developments of a moderate density.

The R-6 Garden Rowhouse Residential Zoning District is intended for primarily low density rowhouse neighborhoods that reflect a naturalistic environment typified by open and landscaped front yards of buildings that are set back and that contain stoops and porches oriented to those yards.

The R-6 District is meant to accommodate single-family units in both detached and semi-detached dwellings, rowhouse developments, and multi-family developments of a moderate density.

The R-7 Mixed Residential Zoning District is intended for those areas that offer a diverse range of housing types. Development in this district accommodates a transition between naturalistic and urban residential settings.

The R-7 District is meant to accommodate a diverse range of housing types, including detached and semi-detached dwellings, rowhouse developments, and multi-family developments of a larger scale than found in the more restrictive residential districts.

The R-8 Rowhouse Residential Zoning District is intended to accommodate and maintain the traditional form of urban rowhouse development typical of many of the City’s inner neighborhoods, which contain continuous, block-long rowhouse development built to or only modestly set back from the street.

Although rowhouse is the predominant housing type, this district also accommodates other residential types, of a similar density, including detached and semi-detached dwellings, and multi-family developments of a larger scale than found in more restrictive zoning districts.

The R-9 Multi-Family Residential Zoning District is intended for those areas with significant green space surrounding development, particularly higher density housing and non-residential uses.

The R-9 District contains a mix of higher density, but predominantly mid-rise, housing types. Permitted housing types include single-family homes, both detached and semi-detached, rowhouse developments, and multi-family developments, all with significant front yard open space. Characteristic of this district are multi-family developments sited with significant front yard open space and rowhouse developments with open space both along the perimeter of the site and within the development.

Measurement methodologies are as set forth in Title 15, Subtitle 3 {“Measurement Methodologies”} of this Code.

Exceptions and requirements are as set forth in Title 15, Subtitle 4 {“Exceptions and Requirements”} of this Code.

Multi-family dwellings designed with a courtyard are permitted a reduction of the front yard requirement.

Front yards may be reduced for courtyard building design as long as:

the requirements of this subtitle; and

in the R-7 and R-8 Districts, conditional-use approval by Ordinance of the Mayor and City Council.

Design review approval is required if exterior modifications are proposed.

As part of the submittal for design review, construction drawings and plans that describe the proposed conversion in detail are required.

All conversions must meet the standards set forth in this section.

The dwelling must continue to conform to the applicable bulk and yard regulations, including lot area per dwelling unit, for the district in which the building is located.

No residential conversion may violate any dwelling unit occupancy regulations or restrictions of the City Code.

Following the conversion, the exterior of the dwelling must retain its existing residential character.