D.C. officials in favor of changes to building height limits

U.S. Representative Darrell Issa, R-California, has spoke about the idea of relaxing building height restrictions to allow inhabitable structures on the roofs of buildings. Issa is the chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, which oversees the nation’s capital. On Thursday, an oversight subcommittee is set to hold a hearing on the matter, and several witnesses say they are open to small changes.

Since Congress amended the Height Act in 1910, building heights in Washington, D.C. have been limited to 130 feet, with few exceptions. Preservationists believe the height restrictions should remain.