District of Columbia building permits

Where to get a building permit in District of Columbia

Apply to the building department of the city, town or county where the property is (the steps).

District of Columbia state agencies

These offices set statewide codes or license the trades. They do not issue permits for most home projects.

Building code in District of Columbia

For homes, the residential code is the District of Columbia Residential Code (2017)⁶, in effect since May 29, 2020⁷ (statewide; applies everywhere⁹).

Every code family, edition and effective date is on District of Columbia building codes.

State rules on which work needs a permit

12-A DCMR § 105.2 · in effect May 29, 2020⁷

• Permit required unless exempted. Unless specifically exempted under Section 105.2, an owner or authorized agent who intends to undertake any of the activities set forth in items 1 through 5 below, or to cause any such work to be done shall first make application to the code official and obtain the required permit(s) relevant to the intended work…⁶
• Exemptions do not excuse code compliance. Exemptions from permit requirements of the Construction Codes shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of the Construction Codes or of any other laws, regulations or ordinances of the District of Columbia.⁶
• Fence repair in kind exempt. 4. Repair in kind of existing fences.⁶
• Shed: under-threshold single garden shed exempt. 8. A single garden storage shed that does not exceed 50 square feet (4.65 m2) in area, is less than ten feet (3048 mm) in overall height, is an accessory structure to a building of Use Group R-3 or to a building under the jurisdiction of the Residential Code, and is erected on a lot with no other exempted storage shed.⁶
• Small above-ground prefabricated pool exempt. 9. Prefabricated pools, spas or water features, accessory to a Group R-3 occupancy, or accessory to buildings under the jurisdiction of the Residential Code, which are less than 24 inches (610 mm) deep, do not exceed 1000 gallons (3785.41L), are installed entirely above ground and are not designed or manufactured to be connected to a circulation system.⁶
• Retaining wall up to 4 ft exempt with limited land disturbance. 10. Retaining walls that are not over four feet (1219 mm) in height, measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, only where the area of land disturbance does not exceed 50 square feet (4.65 m2).⁶
• Finish work exempt. 6. Papering, tiling, carpeting, floor covering, cabinets, countertops and similar finish work.⁶
• Replacement in kind exempt for listed items, including roof covering and siding. 7. Replacement in kind of one of the items listed hereafter.⁶
• Sink, faucet and toilet replacement exempt in 1- and 2-family homes and townhouses. 5. Replacement of a water closet or water closet seal within detached one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses.⁶
• Permit list on DOB page includes decks. Porches and decks (including alterations to existing)…²
• Permit list on DOB page includes new and replacement gas appliances. New and replacement gas appliances…²
• Permit list on DOB page includes EV charging equipment. Electric car charging equipment…²
• Exemptions limited in historic districts. When the proposed scope of work would qualify to be exempted from permit pursuant to Section 105.2 of this chapter, and the work is to occur on the land of or the exterior of buildings or other structures located in historic districts, or of historically designated buildings or other structures, an application for a building permit subject only to historic preservation review pursuant to Section 105.1 shall be required for the following work described in Section 105.2 Building: 1. Brick pointing; 4. Repair or replacement of fences, except as deemed an ordinary repair; 5. Painting of unpainted exterior masonry at a landmark property; 7. Replacement in kind of one of the listed items (except for interior ceiling tile and gypsum board); 8. Garden storage shed; 9. Prefabricated pools; and 10. Retaining walls.⁶
• Exemptions limited in flood hazard areas. When the proposed scope of work would qualify to be exempted from permit requirements pursuant to Section 105.2 of this chapter, and the work is to occur on premises wholly or partially within a Flood Hazard Area, an application for a permit subject only to review by the Floodplain Administrator shall be required.⁶
• Public space work still needs DDOT permits. When the proposed scope of work would qualify to be exempted from permit pursuant to Section 105.2 of this chapter, and the work is to occur wholly or partially on public space, the applicant shall be responsible for obtaining all public space permit(s) that are required by DDOT.⁶

Homeowners doing their own work

12-A DCMR §§ 105.3.1, 105.3.1.1, 105.8; 16 DCMR § 899

• Permit applications shall be submitted by the owner or lessee of the premises, or an authorized agent of either.⁶
• Trade permits only by or for a DC-licensed master. A trade permit application shall be submitted only by, or on behalf of, the D.C.-licensed master tradesperson who is to be responsible for supervising the work to be done under a trade permit when issued.⁶
• DOB: only licensed DC trade contractors may apply for trade permits. Only licensed DC contractors for the specific trade may apply for these permits.²
• Electrical work requiring a permit shall be performed by a licensed master electrician, a licensed master electrician limited (low voltage), a licensed journeyman electrician, or a registered apprentice electrician under the supervision of a licensed master electrician.⁶
• Plumbing work requiring a permit shall be performed by a licensed master plumber/gasfitter, a licensed master gasfitter, a licensed journeyman plumber, a licensed journeyman gasfitter, or a registered apprentice plumber under the supervision of a licensed master plumber/gasfitter.⁶
• A homeowner's own work is not home improvement contracting. 4) work performed by a homeowner on his or her own residential property.⁶
• Licensing condition on work under a permit. No person shall undertake work pursuant to a permit required by Section 105 without possessing a valid and appropriate business license, professional license and/or trade license in the District of Columbia, pursuant to D.C. Official Code §§ 47-2853.01 et seq., and Titles 16 and 17 DCMR, as applicable.⁶

Contractor licensing

16 DCMR ch. 8; 17 DCMR § 3900; D.C. Code § 47-2853; 12-A DCMR § 105.8

• Home improvement contractor license is needed to take advance payment. No person shall require or accept any payment for a home improvement contract to be undertaken in the District in advance of the full completion of all work required to be performed under the contract, unless that person is licensed as a home improvement contractor or as a licensed salesperson employed by a licensed contractor in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.⁶
• DLCP: HIC and HIS licenses required. All home improvement contractors are legally required to have a Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) and a Home Improvement Salesperson (HIS) License (or a designated salesperson).⁵
• $25,000. Surety Bond of $25,000…⁵
• General contractors need a basic business license with GC/CM endorsement. Each person engaged in general contracting or construction management in the District shall apply to the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (Department) for a basic business license with a General Contractor/Construction Manager endorsement (license).⁶
• Trade licenses: electricians. Electrical work requiring a permit shall be performed by a licensed master electrician, a licensed master electrician limited (low voltage), a licensed journeyman electrician, or a registered apprentice electrician under the supervision of a licensed master electrician.⁶
• Trade licenses: plumbers. Plumbing work requiring a permit shall be performed by a licensed master plumber/gasfitter, a licensed master gasfitter, a licensed journeyman plumber, a licensed journeyman gasfitter, or a registered apprentice plumber under the supervision of a licensed master plumber/gasfitter.⁶
• Liability insurance minimum for HIC. The insurance shall be cancelable only after thirty (30) days notice to the Director, and shall provide a minimum limit of liability of fifty thousand dollars ($ 50,000) for bodily injury or death of any one (1) person in any single accident, one hundred thousand dollars ($ 100,000) in the aggregate for more than one (1) person in any single accident, and ten thousand dollars ($ 10,000) property damage in any single accident.⁶

Handyman limits

16 DCMR § 899

• $300. Home improvement contract - an agreement for the performance of home improvement work in the District for a contract price of three hundred dollars ($ 300) or more.⁶
• Multiple contracts are added together over 12 months. This term shall also include the second or any subsequent agreements entered into between the same contractor and the same homeowner within any twelve (12) month period, if the total of the contract prices of all the agreements aggregate three hundred dollars ($ 300) or more.⁶

Deadlines for permit decisions and inspections

12-A DCMR § 105.5; DOB Service Level Agreements

• No fixed statutory deadline in § 105.5: review within a reasonable time. The code official shall examine or cause to be examined all applications for permit and amendments to applications within a reasonable time after filing.⁶
• Third-party certified applications: 15 business days. The Department shall complete its review within 15 business days after the date of submission of a complete application package to the Department, including the required third-party certification.⁶
• Homeowner's Center SLA: next business day. Homeowner’s Center Applications DOB’s Service Level Agreement: Next Business Day…¹⁰
• Digital Walk-Thru SLA: next business day. Digital Walk-Thru (E) DOB’s Service Level Agreement: Next Business Day…¹⁰
• 30 business days. Filed Projects DOB’s Service Level Agreement: 30 Business Days…¹⁰
• SLA covers DOB reviews only. The job classification timeframes are for reviews performed by the Department of Buildings (DOB) ONLY and are based on square footage, scope, and use.¹⁰
• Application abandoned after 180 days. 180 days after the date of filing, unless such application has been pursued in good faith, an extension has been granted pursuant to Section 105.3.5.1, or a permit has been issued…⁶

Private plan review and inspections

D.C. Code §§ 6-1405.02, 6-1405.04; 12-A DCMR §§ 105.5.1, 109.4

• The Mayor shall allow qualified third party plan reviewers to review construction documents, or components of construction documents, and certify their compliance with the Construction Codes.¹¹
• The Mayor shall allow the Department to accept reports of inspection by qualified third party inspectors for work performed pursuant to a building permit.¹²
• Plan reviewers must be DC-licensed architects or engineers. A third party plan reviewer shall possess a valid license as an architect or professional engineer in the District pursuant to part A or J of subchapter I-B of Chapter 28 of Title 47.¹¹
• Inspector hired by the owner, no ties to the contractor. A third party inspector shall be hired by the project owner; provided, that the individual shall not have any contractual relationship with the general contractor, construction manager, a subcontractor, or other person who has performed work on the project.¹²
• Applicant option at applicant expense: plan review. An applicant shall have the option of using an approved third-party agency to perform a code compliance review of a project, at the applicant’s expense, pursuant and subject to the provisions of: this Section 105.5.1; D.C. Official Code § 6-1405.02 (2018 Repl.)); and the Third-Party Program Procedure Manual.⁶
• Permit holder option at own expense: inspections. When approved by the Department, a permit holder, at the permit holder’s expense, shall have the option of having a Third Party Agency conduct the inspections required by Section 109.3 for work subject to a permit issued by the Department.⁶

Selling a home with unpermitted work

D.C. Code §§ 42-1301 to 42-1311; 17 DCMR § 2708

• Does the seller have actual knowledge of any additions, structural modifications, or other alterations or repairs made without required permits?⁶
• Disclosure statement required. The transferor of any real property described in § 42-1301(a) shall deliver to the prospective transferee a real property disclosure statement on a form to be approved by the Mayor.¹³
• Applies to 1 to 4 dwelling units. The provisions of this chapter shall apply only to the transfer or sale of real estate located in the District of Columbia consisting of not less than one nor more than 4 residential dwelling units…¹⁴
• Only where the purchaser will live there. This chapter shall apply only where the purchaser expresses, in writing, an intent to reside in the property to be transferred.¹⁴
• 5 days. …the prospective transferee may terminate any of the foregoing by delivering written notice of termination to the transferor not later than 5 calendar days after receipt of the disclosure statement by the prospective transferee…¹³

Accessory dwelling units (ADUs)

11-U DCMR § 253 · in effect August 25, 2023⁶

• One accessory apartment in an R zone. One (1) accessory apartment may be established in an R zone, subject to the provisions of this section.⁶
• Matter of right in principal dwelling or accessory building, except R-1B/GT and R-3/GT. An accessory apartment shall be permitted in a principal dwelling or an accessory building as a matter of right in the R zones, except the R-1B/GT or R 3/GT zone, subject to the provisions of this section.⁶
• Owner-occupancy required. Either the principal dwelling or accessory apartment unit shall be owner-occupied for the duration of the accessory apartment use.⁶
• Occupancy cap of 3 persons outside GT zones. The total number of persons that may occupy the accessory apartment shall not exceed three (3), except in the R-1B/GT or R-3/GT zone where the aggregate number of persons that may occupy the house, including the principal dwelling and the accessory apartment combined, shall not exceed six (6).⁶
• 2,000 square feet. R-1 | 2,000 sq. ft.⁶
• 1,200 square feet. R-2 | 1,200 sq. ft.⁶
• 35%. The accessory apartment unit may not occupy more than thirty-five percent (35%) of the gross floor area of the house…⁶
• Accessory building needs permanent access. There shall be permanent access to the accessory building apartment…⁶
• No roof deck on the accessory building. An accessory building that houses an apartment shall not have a roof deck…⁶
• Rental license and housing code inspection before renting. Prior to renting an accessory apartment in any zone, the property owner shall obtain a Residential Rental Business License from the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs and the property shall be inspected for relevant housing code compliance.⁶

Applies to

R zones⁶