General Questions
On a monthly basis, the Commission reviews and takes action on federal and District of Columbia development projects and master plans based on recommendations from NCPC's staff. NCPC creates and updates the Comprehensive Plan for the National Capital's Federal Elements and crafts long-range plans and policies. NCPC annually produces the Federal Capital Improvements Program (FCIP).
The National Capital Planning Commission is a federal agency. Its jurisdiction covers Washington, DC and surrounding areas in the National Capital Region.
NCPC is an independent executive branch federal agency.
A full list of the Commission members and alternates is located on the "About the Commission" page.
There are 12 members on the Commission. The President appoints three citizens, including the Chair. One must be from Virginia, another from Maryland. The Mayor of the District of Columbia appoints two citizens. Ex officio members include representatives from the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Department of the Interior, the General Services Administration, the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, the DC Office of the Mayor, and the Chairman of the DC City Council. Details about current Commission members are located on the "About the Commission" page.
The National Capital Region (NCR) encompasses Washington, DC; Montgomery and Prince George's Counties in Maryland; Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William Counties in Virginia; and the incorporated cities of Alexandria, Falls Church, Fairfax, and Manassas in Virginia. The NCR is about 2,500 square miles (6,475 sq km).
Researching a Project
NCPC archives Commission actions and staff recommendations for the past six years. You can search for a project by clicking the Project Search button below. The Commission Meeting Archive documents actions, staff recommendations, and videos from past meetings. Information on projects older than five years is available via the National Archives.
Projects that the Commission will review at its next meeting are located on the "Agenda and Submission Materials" page. In addition, several Major Projects are featured under the Review tab.
Many of our plans can be found by searching our website. Some documents are kept at NCPC while others are stored at the National Archives. Please contact us if you need help finding a particular item.
NCPC Review
One of NCPC’s primary functions is to review development projects in the National Capital Region and advise on each project’s consistency with the Comprehensive Plan for the National Capital's Federal Elements. The National Capital Planning Act (1952) conferred this authority on the agency and is the basis for our review process today. NCPC aims to improve projects through a collaborative process, encourage coordination among agencies, and provide an opportunity for public input. Additional information is available on the "Review Process Overview" page.
The Commission has either approval or advisory authority for projects in the National Capital Region. Generally speaking, NCPC has approval authority for projects on federal land in Washington, DC and advisory authority for those on federal land in the National Capital Region. Further details are on the "Review Process Overview" page.
Projects include, but are not limited to, new or modified federal buildings, memorials and museums on federal land, projects on District of Columbia land in the Central Area, and master plans. The "Submission Guidelines" page has specific details.
Commission review or approval is not required for certain types of projects or plans. Exceptions are listed in Chapter 8 of the Submission Guidelines.
NCPC staff coordinates the review of development plans and projects submitted by applicants and provides recommendations for Commission action. The Commission takes an official action on projects, based upon a combination of staff recommendations, public feedback, and Commission deliberation.
Public Participation
Sign-up to receive the tentative and final agendas or visit NCPC’s home page to learn about projects the Commission may consider at the next meeting. You can provide feedback for items on the Tentative and Final Agendas. You can also register to speak at the meeting about items on the final agenda. There are often other opportunities for public input on plans and projects separate from the Commission meeting. NCPC conducts stakeholder and general public meetings as area and policy plans are developed. Applicant agencies may provide their own public information and meetings about their project or plan. Often, comment opportunities for projects arise as part of the requirements for compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements or Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.
If you would like to speak at a Commission meeting, you must register before the deadline. We also accept comments via regular mail and email (preferred) prior to the Commission meeting. Submitted comments received the noon deadline the Wednesday before the meeting are shared with Commissioners. More information is available on our "How to Comment" page.
You can check the links under our Review tab in the menu above, or click the button below for an overview.
Send questions via email with the button below or call 202-482-7200.
There are often opportunities for public input on plans and projects separate from the Commission meeting. NCPC conducts stakeholder and general public meetings as area and policy plans are developed. Major initiatives have webpages providing more information and a portal for the public to submit comments. Current efforts are located under the Planning tab above.
Commission Meeting
Yes, they are. The Commission typically meets on the first Thursday of each month except in August, when it is in recess. The schedule of meetings is posted on the "Meeting Calendar" page. No reservations are necessary. Meetings are also live-streamed.
The final agenda for upcoming meetings is posted on the "Agenda and Materials" page the Friday before the meeting. After reports from the Chair and Executive Director, as well as a Legislative Update by the General Counsel, the Commission votes on the Consent Agenda. Following that, a staff member presents each open session project, followed by public testimony, Commission deliberation, and then Commission vote. Learn more on our dedicated "Commission Meeting 101" page.
Advanced registration is required to speak at Commission meetings. Deadlines vary according to agenda classification of items. See "How to Comment" page for more information. Members of the public can register to speak and will be invited to join the Commission meeting online. Written testimony may also be submitted.
The Tentative Agenda is posted on our homepage approximately three weeks before the meeting. The Final Agenda and Staff Recommendations are posted the Friday before each meeting. If you would like to receive these documents, please subscribe.
Understanding Reports
Staff develops recommendations by reviewing each project for conformance with the Comprehensive Plan's Federal Elements and other relevant Commission adopted plans and policies. Staff also incorporates guidance from previous Commission actions and considers comments from applicable local and federal agencies and the public.
The Executive Director’s Recommendation (often referred to as EDRs) provides a project summary, key project information, analysis, and the staff’s recommendation for Commission action.
They are posted on NCPC’s website on the afternoon of the Friday before the Commission meeting.
No. While staff recommendations provide guidance for the Commission to consider, each Commissioner considers the recommendations, public testimony, and other information, and votes based upon their own convictions.
The official action taken by the Commission on a project.
The EDR provides recommendations for action while the Commission Action is the official action taken by vote. The Commission may add to, amend, or delete staff recommendations, so the Commission Action may be different than the staff recommendations.
Contacts
- info@ncpc.gov
- (202) 482-7200
- http://www.ncpc.gov
Business Hours
- Monday-Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Saturday-Sunday: Closed
Our Mission
The National Capital Planning Commission preserves and enhances the extraordinary historical, cultural, and natural resources and federal assets of the National Capital Region to support the needs of the federal government and enrich the lives of the region's visitors, workers, and residents.
