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Find Out Which Permits You Need For Your Job
Dumpsters in public space
Sidewalk construction and repair
Flag poles, planter boxes, retaining walls and fences in public space
The Department of Transportation (DDOT) manages the use and occupancy of the public space. Find public space applications on DDOT's website.
To tear down structures such as walls, floors or entire buildings, you need to apply for a building permit and, depending on the job, a supplemental raze operations permit.
To raze a structure larger than 500 square feet, you must attach a copy of a certificate of insurance for $500,000 in coverage.
To add, replace or repair a fence on private property, you need to apply for a building permit.
To add, replace or change signs on private property, you need to apply for a building permit.
Sign types include:
- Wall sign
- A-frame
- Pole
- Double-faced
- Electric (incandescent, fluorescent, neon)
To add an awning or canopy to private property, you must apply for a building permit.
 
In addition to a building permit, you are required to get supplemental permits to install the following supplemental systems in a building:
- Air conditioning
- Refrigeration system
- Plumbing fixture
- Electrical
- Gas appliance
- Install water or sewer pipes
- Make connections to existing water and sewer mains in the street
- Excavate for water meters and meter vaults in public space
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 types: be sure to complete the application that fits your project.
To run a business out of your home, you must get a home occupation permit (HOP). The permit allows you to conduct certain occupations in your principal residence—while protecting residential neighborhoods from possible adverse effects of these occupations.
A home occupation is a business, profession or other economic activity that is conducted full- or part-time in the principal residence of the person conducting the business. Examples of allowable uses as home occupations are: general office use; tutoring up to five students at one time; sewing; fine arts activities; computer programming; cosmetologists and hair care providers; and physicians and other licensed health care professionals.
Here are some basic home occupation permit conditions:
- No more than 25 percent of the floor area of the dwelling, or 250 square feet, can be used in the home occupation.
- No more than one person who is not a resident of the dwelling can be employed in the home occupation.
- No structural alterations to the interior of the dwelling are permitted for the occupation, if they would make it difficult to return the dwelling to exclusive residential use.
- No more than two vehicles can be used in the practice of the home occupation, and no more than eight (8) trips to the premises daily by visitors, customers and delivery persons are permitted.
- No more than eight (8) clients can be on the premises in any one-hour period.
- No parking or storage of commercial vehicles is permitted.
- One exterior sign, unlit and flush-mounted, of no more than 144 square inches is permitted.
- Any activity involving commercial food preparation is not considered a home occupation.
The DC Office of Planning manages the Historic Preservation Office, which maintains the architecture, scale, and uniqueness of the District's historic buildings. If you plan to make changes to a building in a historic district, you must follow design guidelines and get approval from the Historic Preservation Board. The Board meets on the fourth Thursday of each month; the filing deadline is the fourth Thursday of the previous month. Although the Board makes the decisions, the staff makes recommendations on all cases, and can advise you about Board standards and can help you develop a project that will meet the Board's approval.
Change an existing address
Add an address to an existing property
Correct an existing address
Create a new address for a property or subdivision
Create addresses for a two-family flat
Attach a detailed site plan identifying the location(s) of the lot(s) and building(s) with the application. Official addresses must meet the requirements of the DC Surveyor's Office; no official addresses will be assigned to any public street(s) without the approval of the DC Council.
You must complete a building permit application to erect a retaining wall on private or public property if it is taller than 18 inches or if it has another structure, such as a fence, on top of it.
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