Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communication are described. A base station and user equipment (UE) may use subframe configurations that include dynamically scheduled channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) symbols. For example, a base station may identify a subframe configuration that includes one or more sets of CSI-RS symbols of a subframe. The base station may indicate to a UE whether sets of CSI-RS symbols may be enabled or disabled during the subframe. The UE may receive multiple CSI-RSs at different locations within the subframe as indicated by the base station, and transmit CSI feedback to the base station based on at least one of the received CSI-RSs. In some examples, multiple base stations may coordinate the use of subframe configurations that include CSI-RS symbols that may be enabled or disabled.