What is GAR?
The Green Area Ratio (GAR) is a DC environmental sustainability zoning regulation that promotes green infrastructure and sustainable site design. GAR provides developers with flexibility to select from a variety of environmentally beneficial landscape features while meeting minimum green infrastructure requirements.
Projects subject to GAR must achieve a minimum score based on the area and environmental value of landscape features such as trees, plantings, green roofs, bioretention, and permeable pavement. By integrating these features into urban development, GAR helps reduce stormwater runoff, improve air quality, mitigate urban heat, and enhance the city's environment.
- Determining Applicability
- Design Development and Submittal
- GAR Construction Compliance & Certificate of Occupancy
- GAR Forms and Documents
- Training Seminars
- GAR Regulation
GAR Updates
Certified Landscape Experts (CLEs): Effective July 10, 2026, Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional (CBLP) Level 2 certification is now recognized as a qualifying credential for CLEs under 11 DCMR Subtitle C § 604.2. CLEs review and sign off on GAR plans and final construction checklists. All qualifying professional licenses and certifications must be current, valid, and in good standing.
Since September 1, 2021, landscape architects must hold a DC license to qualify as CLEs under the landscape architect credential category. For more information, refer to the GAR Regulation and Design Development and Submittal pages.
GAR Construction Compliance: The GAR Final Construction Checklist is now performed electronically through DOEE’s Surface and Groundwater System (SGS). For more information on the construction inspection process, adding CLE information to the SGS, and checklist sign off go to GAR Construction Compliance and Certificate of Occupancy.
GAR Plan Review Aids: Two plan review aids are available in the GAR Guidebook, Forms, and Documents section to help CLEs prepare compliant GAR plans. One covers projects subject to GAR and erosion and sediment control (ESC) only, including relevant technical BMP specifications. The other covers projects with additional stormwater management (SWM) requirements, where those specifications are addressed through the SWM review process. See DOEE’s Stormwater Management Rule and Guidebook for additional information.
GAR Contacts
For GAR technical and plan review questions, please contact Andrea Krug, GAR Program Lead, at [email protected]or [email protected].
For GAR applicability and exemption questions, please contact the Department of Buildings (DOB), Office of Zoning Administration, at [email protected].
For GAR inspection questions, please contact DOEE's Inspection and Enforcement Division, Construction and Maintenance Branch.
For questions about the development of GAR regulations, please contact the DC Office of Planning.
Cooler Temperatures | Improved Air Quality | Reduced Stormwater