Building Safety in Washington, DC (2026)
8 verified building safety rules for Washington, District of Columbia, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Lead Paint
Owners of pre-1978 dwelling units in Washington, D.C. must disclose known lead-based paint hazards to tenants and buyers before any lease or sale contract is signed.
Washington DC Lead Paint Disclosure Rules
Some RestrictionsD.C. Code § 8-231.04(a)
The owner of a dwelling unit constructed before 1978 shall disclose to the purchaser or tenant of the dwelling unit information reasonably known to the owner about the presence of any of the following conditions in the unit: (A) Lead-based paint; (B) Lead-based paint hazards; and (C) Pending actions ordered by the Mayor pursuant to this subchapter... The disclosures shall be provided before the...
Elevator Maintenance
In Washington, D.C., elevator contractors, mechanics, and inspectors must hold a Board of Industrial Trades license before erecting, servicing, repairing, testing, or inspecting elevators, escalators, and dumbwaiters, per D.C. Code § 47-2853.95.
Washington DC Elevator Maintenance Licensing
Some RestrictionsD.C. Code § 47-2853.97
Unless licensed in accordance with this part, no person shall use the words or terms "elevator contractor," "elevator mechanic," "licensed elevator contractor," "licensed elevator mechanic," "elevator inspector," "licensed elevator inspector," or any words describing an elevator specialty licensed by the Board to imply that the person is authorized to perform the services of an elevator contrac...
Childcare Center Rules
In Washington, D.C., anyone operating a child care center, home, or similar facility must first obtain a license from the Office of the State Superintendent of Education, with criminal penalties for operating unlicensed.
Washington DC Child Care Facility Licensing
Some RestrictionsD.C. Code § 7-2034(a)
Except as otherwise provided in this subchapter, no person shall, either directly or indirectly, operate a child development facility in the District without first having obtained a license to do so.
Green Building Code
Washington, D.C. requires new construction and major renovations of privately-owned buildings over 50,000 square feet to achieve LEED certification and submit a green building checklist with permit applications.
Washington DC Green Building Code
Heavy RestrictionsD.C. Code § 6-1451.03(b)(1)
All new construction and substantial improvement of nonresidential projects...shall: (A) Beginning January 1, 2009, as part of any building permit application, submit to DCRA a green building checklist documenting the green building elements to be pursued in the respective building's permit; and (B) Be verified by an entity described in § 6-1451.04 as having fulfilled or exceeded the current ed...
Building Permits
In Washington, D.C., altering, converting, or reconstructing any building or part of one requires a building permit from the Department of Buildings before work starts, and plans must conform to code before that permit issues.
Washington DC Renovation Permit Requirement
Some RestrictionsD.C. Code § 6-641.09(a)
It shall be unlawful to erect, construct, reconstruct, convert, or alter any building or structure or part thereof within the District of Columbia without obtaining a building permit from the Director of the Department of Buildings, and said Director shall not issue any permit for the erection, construction, reconstruction, conversion, or alteration of any building or structure, or any part the...
Electrical Permits
Any electrical wiring or equipment work in the District requires a permit and inspection, with fees the Mayor sets and updates by rule.
Washington DC Electrical Permit Requirement
Some RestrictionsD.C. Code § 47-2712(a), (c)
The Mayor of the District of Columbia shall amend from time to time the schedule of fees to be charged by the District of Columbia for the inspection of electrical equipment and for the issuance of permits to perform electrical services... The penalty for a permit to abate notice of doing work without a permit shall be 50% of the fee.
Plumbing Permits
The District's Construction Codes control all plumbing design, installation, and repair work, requiring a permit reviewed by DCRA before fixtures, water supply lines, or drainage connections are installed or altered.
Washington DC Plumbing Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsD.C. Code § 6-1403(a)(5)
The design, installation, repair, or removal of plumbing fixtures intended to receive and discharge water, liquid, or water-carried wastes into the drainage system with which they are connected; the introduction, maintenance, and extension of a supply of water through a pipe or pipes, or any appurtenance thereof, in any building, lot, premises, or establishment; ... the performance of all class...
Building Inspections
In Washington, D.C., property owners building under a permit may hire a Mayor-approved third party inspector, rather than wait on a District inspector, to certify permitted work. D.C. Code § 6-1405.04 lets the Mayor authorize these certifications, requires the Mayor to set minimum training and experience standards for third party inspectors, and bars anyone who worked on a project's plans from also inspecting that same project.
Washington DC Third-Party Building Inspection Rules
Some RestrictionsD.C. Code § 6-1405.04(a)-(c)
(a) The Mayor shall allow third party inspectors to certify the work performed pursuant to a building permit. (b) The Mayor shall promulgate rules to establish the minimum requirements for third party inspectors, including training and experience requirements, within 180 days of June 25, 2002. (c) A person, or a firm with which that person is affiliated as an owner or employee, who has performe...