You can't go higher than that !

Did you know some Cities have building height restrictions?

The best known one is in Washington DC where there is a municipal code that no building in the actual District may rise higher in elevation than the Capitol building. In 1899 by an act of Congress passed the "Height of Buildings Act".

The Washington monument is much taller, however it is a monument and there are some slightly different rules that apply. It also sits at a lower elevation down the hill and closer to the Potomac flood plain than the Capitol, which sits atop the high point in the District.

 

 

 

 

It is very noticeable when you have left the actual District where the border is not the Potomac River. As soon as you cross the street from the District to either Crystal City, Virginia or Bethesda, Maryland, the buildings are built much taller and you are aware of the skyscraper office buildings and apartment housing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another famous City landscape protected by height restrictions are "the spires" of Frederick Maryland. Fredrick was founded in 1745 and has a Historic Preservation Commission which over sees maintaining a balance between development and historic interests. Many local establishments make use of the famous spires landscape to identify their Historic Fredericktowne location.