President Barack Obama signed the Height Act Friday, which changed the more-than-century-old law to allow “human occupancy of penthouses built above the statutory height limits of buildings in the District of Columbia,” according to a White House release.  

House Oversight and Government Reform Chairman Darrell Issa, R-Calif, introduced the legislation, which allows rooftop structures, including pools and restaurants, to reach a maximum of 20 feet above the current height limit.  

Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C., was a co-sponsor and said in a statement, “I am pleased that the Mayor and Council Chair reached an agreement that allowed the bill to move forward.  The bill, which moved smoothly through Congress and was signed by the President, is a good example of a home-rule bill.”