D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 11, r. 11-C711

Current through Register Vol. 71, No. 49, December 6, 2024

Rule 11-C711 - ACCESS REQUIREMENTS

711.1

Approval of a driveway under this title does not constitute permission for a curb cut in public space. An applicant for a driveway with a curb cut in public space shall have the responsibility to obtain all other necessary approvals from the District Department of Transportation.

711.2

All required parking spaces, driveways, and entrances that provide access to parking areas, shall conform to the requirements of this section.

711.3

All required parking spaces, other than as permitted in Subtitle C § 711.4, shall be accessible at all times from a driveway accessing either:

(a) An improved street, except as restricted in Subtitle C § 711.9; or

(b) An improved alley or alley system with a minimum width of ten feet (10 ft.).

711.4

An automated parking garage shall meet the requirements of Subtitle C § 711.3, although individual parking spaces provided as part of the automated parking garage do not.

711.5

Except as provided in Subtitle C § 711.11, within twenty feet (20 ft.) of all street lot lines, a driveway shall be at least eight feet (8 ft.) wide and not more than ten feet (10 ft.) wide if it:

(a) Provides access to parking spaces serving a single dwelling unit or flat;

(b) Provides access to no more than two (2) parking spaces for any use; or

(c) Provides shared access across public or private property to no more than three (3) single dwelling units or flats.

711.6

Except as provided in Subtitle C § 711.11, within twenty feet (20 ft.) of all street lot lines, a driveway other than as described in Subtitle C § 711.5 shall be:

(a) At least twelve feet (12 ft.) wide for one-way traffic or eighteen feet (18 ft.) wide for two-way traffic; and

(b) Not more than twenty-four feet (24 ft.) wide.

711.7

Except for Alley Lots or as provided in Subtitle C § 711.11, when parking spaces are provided within a building or structure, all vehicular entrances or exits shall be a minimum height of ten feet (10 ft.) and shall be setback at least twelve feet (12 ft.) from the center line of any adjacent alley.

711.8

A driveway that provides access to required parking spaces shall have a maximum grade of twelve percent (12%) with a vertical transition at the property line.

711.9

Driveways to required parking spaces for groups of three (3) or more row dwellings that are constructed concurrently on adjacent lots shall be governed by the following provisions:

(a) Access to vehicle parking from a public or private street to individual rowhouses shall not be permitted; and

(b) For vehicle parking provided on a separate lot in accordance with Subtitle C § 701.8, the Board of Zoning Adjustment may allow a single driveway access from a public or private street as a special exception pursuant to Subtitle X, Chapter 9, and subject to:

(1) The applicant's demonstration to the Board's satisfaction that:

(A) There is no alternative access to on-site parking spaces through open and improved existing or proposed alleys; and

(B) The proposed parking access does not impose traffic hazards or any adverse impact on the surrounding neighborhood; and

(2) The Board of Zoning Adjustment may impose conditions as to the location of the parking access, screening, or any other requirement it deems necessary to ensure safety and to protect adjacent or nearby property.

711.10

Required parking spaces for a motor vehicle-related use category may be arranged so that all spaces are not accessible at all times. All parking spaces provided under this subsection shall be designed and operated so that sufficient access and maneuvering space is available to permit the parking and removal of any vehicle without moving any other vehicle onto public space.

711.11

The Board of Zoning Adjustment may grant full or partial relief from the requirements of Subtitle C §§ 711.5 through 711.7 as a special exception under Subtitle X, Chapter 9, and subject to the following:

(a) The Office of Zoning shall refer any request under this subsection to the Office of Planning and the District Department of Transportation for review and comment, which shall include an evaluation of the applicant's satisfaction of the requirements of paragraph (b) of this subsection; and

(b) The applicant shall demonstrate to the Board's satisfaction:

(1) A reasonable difficulty in providing the full-sized driveway width or alley centerline setback; and

(2) Vehicle movement and turning diagrams demonstrating that the proposed relief would allow safe:

(A) Access for vehicles of average dimensions to and from the parking spaces for which the driveway or alley centerline setback provides access; and

(B) Use of the street or alley by pedestrians and vehicles.

D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 11, r. 11-C711

Final Rulemaking published at 63 DCR 2447 (9/6/2016); amended by Final Rulemaking published at 67 DCR 12690 (10/30/2020); amended by Final Rulemaking published at 69 DCR 1561 (2/25/2022)