The vitamin D receptor (VDR) mediates the endocrine actions of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ [1,25(OH)₂D₃] and autoregulates the expression of its own gene in target cells. In studies herein, we used chromatin immunoprecipitation-chip analyses to examine further the activities of 1,25(OH)₂D₃ and to assess the consequences of VDR/retinoid X receptor heterodimer binding at the VDR gene locus. We also explored mechanisms underlying the ability of retinoic acid, dexamethasone, and the protein kinase A activator forskolin to induce VDR up-regulation as well. We confirmed two previously identified intronic 1,25(OH)₂D₃-inducible enhancers and discovered two additional regions, one located 6 kb upstream of the VDR transcription start site. Although RNA polymerase II was present at the transcription start site in the absence of 1,25(OH)₂D₃, it was strikingly up-regulated at both this site and at individual enhancers in its presence. 1,25(OH)₂D₃ also increased basal levels of H4 acetylation at these enhancers as well. Surprisingly, many of these enhancers were targets for CCAAT enhancer-binding protein- and runt-related transcription factor 2; a subset also bound cAMP response element binding protein, retinoic acid receptor, and glucocorticoid receptor. Unexpectedly, many of these factors were resident at the Vdr gene locus in the absence of inducer, suggesting that they might contribute to basal Vdr gene expression. Indeed, small interfering RNA down-regulation of CCAAT enhancer-binding protein- suppressed basal VDR expression. These regulatory activities of 1,25(OH)₂D₃, forskolin, and dexamethasone were recapitulated in MC3T3-E1 cells stably transfected with a full-length VDR bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clone-luciferase reporter gene. Finally, 1,25(OH)₂D₃ also induced accumulation of VDR and up-regulated H4 acetylation at conserved regions in the human VDR gene. These data provide important new insights into VDR gene regulation in bone cells.