Begin with where the work happens
GSA’s locality guidance bases reimbursement on the location of the work activity. If lodging is unavailable there, the agency may authorize a different location’s rate. Booking a hotel across a city boundary does not by itself change the applicable locality.
A destination label is often a convenient name for a wider area. The corresponding county or location definition is part of the rate, not optional supporting text. Read it before choosing between nearby entries.
Washington, DC shows why labels are not enough
The District of Columbia entry includes specified independent cities and counties in Virginia and Maryland. A work address outside the District can therefore fall within the DC rate area. Conversely, a city with a familiar metropolitan name need not share that entire metropolitan area’s rate.
Our state pages link to the published definitions. Maryland and Virginia pages also call out the DC entry because a state-only scan could otherwise miss it.
Resolve boundaries before budgeting
- Search the city or ZIP as an initial lead.
- Read every matching locality’s complete coverage text.
- Check the work address, including the county or independent city.
- Ask the agency to resolve special installations, boundary cases or alternative lodging authorization.
Do not automatically pick the highest amount among ZIP matches. The directory shows the options; it cannot establish your work address or approve an exception.
Official sources
This guide explains a general method. Your travel authorization and applicable policy determine the claim. Report a correction.