RF-1 zoning

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Baltimore Shells

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Jul 3, 2021, 3:32:59 PM7/3/21
to Cheryl Cort, Ileana Schinder, PLLC, Erik Hoffland, Jenny Coneff, DC Accessory Apartments Forum
Hello:

My house is zoned RF-1 and already has an english basement.   Would this house qualify for an adu?

Thanks
Nate

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On May 11, 2021, at 10:43 AM, Cheryl Cort <che...@smartergrowth.net> wrote:


Yes, new electric stove technology is highly efficient, less polluting both inside your home & in terms of greenhouse gas emission. You might need to get new pots, but it's worth it. 

I too recommend the new electric stoves. 


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On Mon, May 10, 2021 at 9:34 PM Ileana Schinder, PLLC <i...@ileanaschinder.com> wrote:
True that. 
I never reccomend gas for new construction. Especially for adus. 100% electric is so much easier and sustainable! 

Pardon per le tpyo. Sent from a iphone.

On May 10, 2021, at 9:09 PM, Erik Hoffland <er...@erikhoffland.com> wrote:


True, Ileana, but wouldn't the gas stove have to be on a separate gas service (i.e., Jenny would have to put a separate gas meter on her property)? 

Jenny--FWIW, I almost always advocate for all electric appliances/utilities in ADU's, they are safer and a good hedge against the future--there are several jurisdictions in California that have already banned fossil fuel equipment (furnaces, stoves, water heaters, etc.) in new residential construction.
Thank you,
Erik

Erik Hoffland AIA, LEED AP
Hoffland Architects
1810 Kilbourne Place NW
Washington DC 20010
er...@erikhoffland.com
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On Mon, May 10, 2021 at 9:02 PM Ileana Schinder, PLLC <i...@ileanaschinder.com> wrote:
Hi jenny,
There is NO regulation or ban on a particular fuel type fir stoves in kitchens. You can have it gas or electric. 
Feel free to reach out if you need clarification on this. 
All the best,
Ileana, the architect

Pardon per le tpyo. Sent from a iphone.

On May 10, 2021, at 8:45 PM, Jenny Coneff <jco...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi all,
I understand that DCRA's regulations and/or interpretations have changed particularly in the past 2 years and that kitchens have been a major point of discussion. I am converting my basement to an ADU in R3. I understand that, with appropriate fire protection between units and other boxes ticked, DCRA now allows a full kitchen in a basement ADU. Does anyone know of a regulation prohibiting gas ranges in ADUs in R#?

Best,
Jennyc.

On Tuesday, April 2, 2019 at 7:02:05 PM UTC-4 i...@ileanaschinder.com wrote:
To clarify,
DCRA is VERY strict with homeowners attempting residential renovations and the potential to create a semi-legal ADU within their property. I can't speak for flippers but for me, as a residential architect they look for even the smallest hint of a --potentially- illegal ADU and they make sure the ADU is removed. Whoever is doing your designs, make sure they pay attention to regulations by zoning AND structural... from the stove to the length of the corridor, EVERYTHING will be questioned. Nothing is strictly prohibited but you must know how to distribute the equipment and fixtures to show that you won't rent it in the future.
Feel free to reach out if you have specific questions about the design, documentation and permitting of additional dwelling units.
Cheers
ileana

On Tue, Apr 2, 2019 at 12:31 PM Dana Powell <theivy...@gmail.com> wrote:
At an Adu form last year  in Cleveland Park there was some discussion of whether dcra prohibits a second kitchen in an in-law suite in a single family dwelling.  

Dana Powell

On Tue, Apr 2, 2019, 11:26 AM Ileana Schinder <i...@ileanaschinder.com> wrote:
Hi There,
I see several issues from an infrastructure and a license perspective. Below are you my points and how to address them:
  • Bedroom. You need 7'-0" clear for all living spaces as defined by the Building Code, if your bedroom does not have 7'-0" is NOT a bedroom and no inspector will approve it as a living space at all even if you comply with the other code requirements (smoke detectors, egress, etc). You may want to explore how to address this ASAP.
  • Income. DC allows for homeowners to SHARE their property for profit with renters. They have a very welcoming way to allow roommates to live together legally. Explore a business license where different adults share a house legally. the inspector will look for different requirements (not ADU requirements) 
  • DCRA (and the building code for that matter) do not allow for grey areas, you either have an ADU (2 dwellings in one property) or not (multiple rooms in one dwelling). Based on your description you fall under the second option, make sure you follow the paperwork (forms, taxes, etc) understanding that you have roommates, NOT renters.  
I hope this clarifies... 
ileana, the architect

On Tue, Apr 2, 2019 at 10:51 AM <che...@smartergrowth.net> wrote:
I received this request from a homeowner - If anyone has some advice on where this person can look for help. 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Hi all,

I'm hoping to receive advice/input to the following predicament.

I did a modest remodel to my semi-detached home's basement last year and have been renting it out since April. It's beautiful but not quite compliant b/c the ceilings are just under 7 feet and I'm not certain if it has fire separation. For this reason, I did not obtain a Certificate of Occupancy and figured I'd simply rent it out as a room by keeping the kitchen door upstairs open at all times and report the income at tax time. My tenants are wonderful and appreciative of a modern, safe, affordable space. This week I went to report the income and learned that I need to file a Form 30 b/c I made more than $12k. And in order to file the 30, a BBL is required. Now that I'm researching the BBL for single-family units, it looks like I'll need an inspection after all and I'm freaking out - to put it mildly. 

Does anyone have any advice here? What do the scores of amateur landlords do in this city at tax time?!

The unit is in a semi-detached home with a separate entrance, has a simple Ikea kitchen (no dishwasher), and shares the same heat zone/electric panel with the house. 

Many thanks.

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Cheryl Cort

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Jul 3, 2021, 5:55:53 PM7/3/21
to Baltimore Shells, DC Accessory Apartments Forum, Erik Hoffland, Ileana Schinder, PLLC, Jenny Coneff
No. You get a total of two living units in the RF-1. So if you basement is already a separate unit, that counts as your second unit. 

See zoning section of our homeowners manual for more information. 
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Jim P

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Jul 4, 2021, 8:20:21 AM7/4/21
to Cheryl Cort, Baltimore Shells, DC Accessory Apartments Forum, Erik Hoffland, Ileana Schinder, PLLC, Jenny Coneff
Suggestion:  Of course one doesn't necessarily need to define an English basement as a separate dwelling unit to generate rent.. One can have roommattes in a basement if if not exceeding the limit of , I think 5 unrelated individuals in a dwelling unit.  [Although I've wondered if several of the individuals are related, does that alter the limit of 5?  I suspect not, though]. 

In these times of housing shortage, rising rents, and young folks burdened with large, unfair student loans, DC's occupancy limits I think can sometimes be counter-productive. 

jim P
Thanks,

Jim



JEAN POITEVIEN

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Jul 4, 2021, 10:57:13 AM7/4/21
to Jim P, Cheryl Cort, Baltimore Shells, DC Accessory Apartments Forum, Erik Hoffland, Ileana Schinder, PLLC, Jenny Coneff
Good morning Jim, 

The max is 6 unrelated people in a single family dwelling. Depending on the size of the bedrooms and the entire dwelling square footage will determine the actual maximum occupancy.

Also, an RF-1 zone requires a CO (certificate of occupancy) in order to rent the basement unit.

Please let me know if you need any additional info on obtaining a CO. My team assist property owners in obtaining the CO & BBL (Basic Business License) for rental properties in the District.

Have a great 4th. Jean

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From: ad...@googlegroups.com <ad...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Jim P <jim...@gmail.com>
Sent: Sunday, July 4, 2021 8:20:07 AM
To: Cheryl Cort <che...@smartergrowth.net>
Cc: Baltimore Shells <baltimo...@yahoo.com>; DC Accessory Apartments Forum <ad...@googlegroups.com>; Erik Hoffland <er...@erikhoffland.com>; Ileana Schinder, PLLC <i...@ileanaschinder.com>; Jenny Coneff <jco...@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [DC Accessory Apartments Forum] Re: RF-1 zoning
 

Ileana Schinder

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Jul 6, 2021, 7:12:26 AM7/6/21
to Baltimore Shells, Cheryl Cort, Erik Hoffland, Jenny Coneff, DC Accessory Apartments Forum
Hi Nate,
It will comply as an ADU only if it follows all the other building and zoning requirements (fire separation, division of infrastructure, etc).
Feel free to reach out if you want to discuss details of your project.
ileana

On Sat, Jul 3, 2021 at 3:32 PM Baltimore Shells <baltimo...@yahoo.com> wrote:


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Baltimore Shells

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Jul 6, 2021, 9:08:10 AM7/6/21
to Ileana Schinder, Cheryl Cort, Erik Hoffland, Jenny Coneff, DC Accessory Apartments Forum
Thanks everyone

Sent from my iPhone

On Jul 6, 2021, at 7:12 AM, Ileana Schinder <i...@ileanaschinder.com> wrote:


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