Permits are required for many improvement and construction projects for commercial and residential properties. You are required by law to get permits for construction in the District of Columbia. If you fail to obtain the proper permit before work begins, you can get fined.
Select the links from the list below to view and download permit forms for the District of Columbia. Bring your applications to the Permit Center, 941 North Capitol Street, NE.
Boiler
To add, replace, remodel or repair fuel-burning or unfired pressure vessel equipment such as furnaces or boilers, you must apply for a boiler permit. There are three different types: be sure to choose the one that applies to your project.
Building
You need a building permit for new construction; additions; demolition; construction of retaining walls, decks, fences, sheds, garages, and vaults; and erection of signs and awnings.
Download and complete the building permit application*.
Certificate of Occupancy
The purpose of the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) is to ensure that building, structure and land uses in the District of Columbia are compatible with the general intent of the DC Zoning Regulations and DC Building Codes. You may not use a structure or land in the District for any purpose, except single-family dwellings, until you get a Certificate of Occupancy for that structure. The fee is based on square-footage. Download the appropriate form to apply, authorize, or cancel a Certificate of Occupancy.
Construction Codes Variance/Modification
Variances/modifications are considered when there are practical difficulties and undue economic hardship involved in meeting a construction code requirement.
DCRA must complete an in-depth review of your application’s ramifications before granting a variance/modification to any provision of the DC Construction Codes.
Download and complete the construction codes variance/modification application*.
The
contract agreement form* is required for most large-scale projects. Download and complete the form before submitting your permit application.
DC Public Law 8-36, the Environmental Policy Act of 1989, requires that all District of Columbia agencies consider the environmental impact of all proposed major actions before issuing any approvals for them.
Building permit applicants are required to submit an
Environmental Intake Form (EIF)* with their application to determine if an Environmental Impact Screening (EIS) is required. If an Environmental Impact Screening is required, an interagency review team will look over the applicants'
Environmental Impact Screening Form (EISF)* and make a determination. This process takes approximately 30 days.
All
forms, regulations and
maps* relevant to the Environmental Review Process are on this website. They are also available at the Permit Center, 941 North Capitol Street, NE. Please take the time to read and understand these materials. Remember, no permit will be issued until the environmental review process has been completed.
Home Occupation
You must complete a home occupation permit to run a business out of your home. The permit allows you to conduct certain occupations in your principal residence—at the same time protecting residential neighborhoods from possible adverse effects of these occupations.
Find more information about the home occupation permit as well as download forms to apply or cancel an application.
All businesses, including government agencies, performing the abatement of lead-based paint, lead-based paint hazards, lead-contaminated dust, and lead-contaminated soil, or performing lead-based paint projects that permanently eliminate lead-based paint hazards, in the District of Columbia must provide the Department of Health (DOH), Environmental Health Administration, with at least seven (7) business days advance notice of the abatement or project.
New Address
You must complete the new address application* and get approval if you want to:
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Change an existing address
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Add an address to an existing property
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Correct an existing address
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Create a new address for a property or subdivision
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Create addresses for a two-family flat
Public Space
The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) manages and oversees the use and occupancy of the public space. Find public space applications on DDOT's website.
Raze
In order to raze a building, the property owner or contractor must first get a raze permit in order to disconnect utilities and gain further regulatory approvals.
The owner or contractor must also get a supplemental razing operations permit, which approves the razing method and certifies that the utilities have been properly disconnected.
Download and complete the Raze Permit Application and Instructions*.
Supplemental
You are required to complete an application to install supplemental systems in a building, such as:
Note: Only licensed DC contractors within the specific trade may apply for these permits.
Structural Certification
Structural Engineers: You must complete a structural certification form certifying that you are licensed as a structural engineer and that the building plans meet International Building Codes (2000), as amended, and DC Construction Codes Supplement of 2003.
Download and complete the structural certification form*.
Underpinning
According to the DCMR Title 12 District of Columbia Building Code Supplement, Section 3307A, when a property owner plans to perform underpinning work, the property owner must inform the owners of adjacent buildings via certified notification letters. The property owner is also required to give adjacent property owners the opportunity to review the permit application and the proposed work plans.
The code also states that the adjacent property owner should allow the person causing the construction to inspect his or her premises for any damages before and after the proposed construction (during hours that are convenient to both parties).
Download a sample underpinning notification letter*.
Water and Sewer Excavation
