Photo by Amber N. Wiley

If there’s one thing that isn’t particularly flexible, it’s D.C. zoning regulations. That much was made apparent late last year when the D.C. Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs found that a yoga studio operating in a neighborhood commercial district was actually in violation of the city’s zoning code, meaning that it was threatened with having to close down.

But last week the D.C. Zoning Commission proposed changes to the zoning code that would allow yoga studios to remain in three districts—CR-1 (mixed use commercial residential), C-1 (commercial) and W-1 (waterfront). According to the proposed amendments, “establishments that principally offer group instruction in the performing arts, the martial arts, physical exercise, or yoga” would be allowed as a matter of right, meaning that they wouldn’t need any specific zoning exemption or special permitting to open up shop.

According to the Current Newspaper, which first reported on the story in December, this isn’t an insignificant change. The quirk in current zoning rules was uncovered when Circle Yoga in Chevy Chase applied for a change to its certificate of occupancy last year and was told that yoga studios were not technically permitted at its location on the 3800 block of Northampton Street NW, which is zoned C-1. According to the Current, the D.C. Office of Planning found five other yoga studios operating out of compliance: Dahn Yoga Center in Chevy Chase, Georgetown Yoga and Down Dog Yoga in Georgetown, Hot Yoga in Cleveland Park, and Inspired Yoga on U Street. If this change takes effect, the six studios—and any other looking at locations in similarly zoned districts around town—won’t have anything to worry about.

The change accompanies a number of other amendments to the city’s zoning code, the set of rules and regulations that determines where things can and cannot go. A new draft code published in early February would allow more flexibility for small businesses to open in residential areas, allow homeowners to more easily create accessory dwellings in their garages or carriage houses and phase out certain minimum parking requirements for new developments, among other changes.