Occupancy limits in Washington, DC
Up to six unrelated people may live together as one household. An accessory apartment is limited to 3 occupants.
A person last checked these rules on October 20, 2026. This is guidance only, so confirm with Washington before you build.
The details
- A family is any number of related people, or not more than six unrelated people living as a single housekeeping unit.Medium confidence
- An accessory apartment may house no more than 3 people, and the owner must live in the house or the apartment.High confidence
- Renting out any unit needs a residential rental business license and an inspection.High confidence
Check a project at your address
SetbackIQ reads the zoning, flood zone, historic district, and environmental maps for your lot. Then it applies these rules.
Common questions
- How many unrelated people may share a house in Washington?
- Up to six unrelated people may live together as one household. An accessory apartment is limited to 3 occupants.
Sources
- DC BZA Case 19441, Exhibit 57, quoting the zoning definition of family. Checked 2026-10-21
[A family may include any number of people related by blood, marriage, or adoption, or] not more than six (6) persons who are not so related [living together as a single housekeeping unit].
- DC Zoning Regulations, accessory apartments (11-U § 253) and ZC Case 25-12. Checked 2026-10-20
One accessory apartment per lot; not more than 3 occupants; not more than 35% of the house's gross floor area; house of at least 2,000 sq ft (R-1) or 1,200 sq ft (R-2, R-3); no new entrance on a street-facing wall; owner occupies the house or the apartment;…
Disclaimer: This is general information, not legal or professional advice for any one property. Codes change. SetbackIQ is not a zoning determination, a permit, or a survey, and it does not replace an architect, engineer, or lawyer. Confirm with your building and zoning offices before you build, buy, or sign a contract.