Zoning law and semi-detached dwelling vs. end unit row dwelling

[Anonymous]

We would like to do a small addition, and I'm trying to figure out the lot occupancy maximum for my Capitol Hill rowhouse. It is the end unit of a row of several; there is a five-foot bricked walkway/separation between our house and the next row home that provides a shared access route (property line runs down the middle) to the gates to ours and our neighbor's (separately) fenced yards. According to BZA online info, a row dwelling can occupy up to 60% of lot, while a semi-detached single family home can only go up to 40%. A semi-detached dwelling shares one wall and has a "side yard." A row dwelling has no "side yards." A "yard" is an exterior space, other than a court, on the same lot with a building or other structure.

Ugh! So, does the fact that we only share one wall turn our rowhome into a "semi-detached" dwelling? Seems like the backyard access path shouldn't count as a "side yard"?

No addition for us unless we can go up to 60% lot occupancy . . .