
Category Archives: DC Zoning
Blount v. Padgett’s Impact on Property Held as Tenants by the Entireties
The District of Columbia Court of Appeals has clarified a 45-year-old decision regarding the effects of a divorce on liens against property held as tenants by the entireties. In Blount v. Padgett, the Court of Appeals refined its 1976 holding in Travis v. Benson that an entry of a final divorce decree converts property to a tenancy in common allowing ... Read More
Settlement Considerations on Acquisitions of DC Commercial Property – Plan Early and Keep Lines of Communication Open Between Settlement Company and Lender
The settlement process on commercial transactions and, more particularly, the completion of the FP7/C (Real Property Recordation and Transfer Tax Form) is markedly different than residential transactions. One particular pitfall has recently come to light that has plagued and delayed some transactions and has resulted in more money being due for recordation taxes than the buyer or lender had anticipated ... Read More
D.C. Court of Appeals Affirms Establishment of a Public Easement by Prescription Against a Tax Sale Purchaser Who Tried to Close Off an Alleyway
In Zere v. District of Columbia, the D.C. Court of Appeals restated the elements for a prescriptive easement in the District, with a particular focus on the element of adversity, by affirming a grant of summary judgment. Mr. Zere, an experienced tax sale purchaser, separately acquired five of six lots that formed a private alley. Mr. Zere then attempted to ... Read More
Work In Progress – Further Technical Modifications to ZR16
The Office of Planning recommended last Friday to the Office of Zoning further revisions to the new zoning regulations that became effective on September 6, 2016 (“ZR16”). Such revisions notably include changes to measurements such as lot occupancies. The proposed revisions (found here) will be considered on September 12 ... Read More
TAGGED: DC Zoning, DC’s new zoning regulations, ZR16
Are You Ready? DC’s Overhauled Zoning Regulations Become Effective September 6
DC’s new zoning regulations – referred to as “ZR16” – become effective September 6. They are the product of a multi-year review by the Zoning Review Taskforce of the original zoning regulations enacted in 1958 and amended or updated through a patchwork process in the succeeding decades. The Zoning Review Taskforce was comprised of representatives of the DC Government, the ... Read More
DC: 2016 Final Zoning Regulations Published
On March 4, 2016 the Zoning Commission of the District of Columbia, after scores of hearings and meetings, issued completely revised zoning regulations. The changes from earlier regulations are extensive and practitioners and laymen are encouraged to read the new regulations carefully. The new regulations will take ... Read More
Proposed Changes to R-4 Zone (height, conversions, grandfathering)
In response to public concern and newspaper articles, the DC Zoning Commission has issued a notice of proposed changes of great interest to residents and home-builders. R-4 Zone properties are addressed in the proposed rulemaking and comments to zcsubmissions@dc.gov with a copy to Sharon.schellin@dc.gov (reference ... Read More
TAGGED: DC, conversions, dc zoning commission, r-4 zone, real property