A “Firearms Retail Sales Establishment” is defined under 11-B DCMR §101.2, of the Zoning Regulations, as:
An establishment engaged in the sale, lease, or purchase of firearms or ammunition. If an establishment is a firearms retail sales establishment as defined here, it shall not be deemed to constitute any other use permitted under the authority of this title).
Zones in Which the Use Is Prohibited
A “Firearms Retail Establishment” is not permitted in any location in the following zones:
R, RF, RA, MU-1, MU-2, SEFC, CG-1, CG-4, CG- 5, CG-6, CG-7, NC-1, D-1-R, St-E, or WR Zones.
In addition, a “Firearms Retail Establishment” is not permitted as a “home occupation” accessory use of a dwelling under Subtitle U-DCMR 251.5(c).
Zones in Which the Use Is Subject to a Special Exception from the Board of Zoning Adjustment [BZA]
Zones in Which the Use Is Allowed Subject to Certain Conditions
A “Firearms Retail Establishment” use is permitted as a “matter of right” in the following zones:
Neighborhood Commercial [NC] Zones- In NC Use Groups B and C (All NC zones except NC-1), with the limitation that no portion of the establishment shall be located within three hundred feet (300 ft.) of: (1) An R, RF, RA, MU-1, or MU-2 zone; or (2) A place of worship, public or private school, public library, or playground [See, subtitles H §1106.1(h), and H §1108.1(f)]
Mixed Use [MU] Zones- Group E Zones (MU-4, MU-5, MU-6, MU-16, MU -18, MU-19, MU-23, MU-25, MU-26, MU-27, CG-2, [and by reference, also RC and ARTS zones]), with the limitation that no portion of the establishment shall be located within three hundred feet (300 ft.) of:
- an R, RF, RA, MU-1, or MU-2 zone; or
- A place of worship, public or private school, public library, or playground. (See subtitle U §512.1(g))
Downtown (D) Zones- [other than the D-1-R zone, subject to the conditions listed in Subtitle U § 512.1(g); (See I-302.2)
Production, Distribution and Repair (PDR) Zones- Except they shall not be located within three hundred feet (300 ft.) of the following: (1) An R, RF, or RA zone; (2) Parks and recreation use; (3) Places of worship; (4) Public or private schools; or (5) Public libraries; (See U-801.1(l))
Union Street North [USN] Zones - Treated the same as MU Use Group E Zones with the limitation that no portion of the establishment shall be located within three hundred feet (300 ft.) of:
- an R, RF, RA, MU-1, or MU-2 zone; or (2) A place of worship, public or private school, public library, or playground. (See subtitles K-313.1, U-515.1(a), and U §512.1(g)).
Capital Gateway [CG-3] Zones - Treated the same as MU Use Group E Zones with the limitation that no portion of the establishment shall be located within three hundred feet (300 ft.) of:
- an R, RF, RA, MU-1, or MU-2 zone; or (2) A place of worship, public or private school, public library, or playground. (See subtitles K-507.2, U-515.1(a), and U §512.1(g)).
Northern Howard Road [NHR] Zones- Treated the same as MU Use Group E Zones with the limitation that no portion of the establishment shall be located within three hundred feet (300 ft.) of:
- an R, RF, RA, MU-1, or MU-2 zone; or (2) A place of worship, public or private school, public library, or playground. (See subtitles K-1003.1, U-515.1(a), and U §512.1(g)).
The below map is only an approximation and should not be used as a substitute for a more detailed zoning analysis.
