D.C. has an express statutory entry rule. Under D.C. Code § 42-3505.51 a housing provider must give at least 48 hours' written notice and may enter only for a reasonable purpose, at a reasonable time — between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. and not on a Sunday or holiday — except in emergencies.
D.C. Code § 42-3505.51 allows entry only 'for a reasonable purpose, at a reasonable time, and after having provided the tenant with reasonable notice,' except in an emergency 'for the protection or preservation of the premises, or for the protection and safety of the tenants or other persons.' Reasonable notice means written notice 'at least 48 hours before' entry, or a shorter period the tenant agrees to in writing; notice may be by email or text if the tenant acknowledges it in writing. A 'reasonable time' is between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. and not on a Sunday or federal holiday. Reasonable purposes include inspections, repairs, services, and showings to prospective buyers or tenants.
On a tenant's showing of unlawful entry or repeated unreasonable demands for entry, any court of competent jurisdiction may enjoin the housing provider and assess damages for breach of the tenant's right to quiet enjoyment of the premises.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Washington, DC
Washington DC does not regulate lawn ornaments on private property through a specific ordinance. Statuary, religious displays, and decorative landscape eleme...
Washington, DC
Washington DC has no city ordinance specifically regulating inflatable holiday displays on private property. The primary city concerns are (1) public-space e...
Washington, DC
The District of Columbia does not impose specific install-by or take-down-by dates for holiday lights on private property. City-wide regulation is limited to...
Washington, DC
Washington DC requires Department of Buildings (DOB) permits for built-in outdoor kitchens that involve gas line installation, electrical work, plumbing, or ...
Washington, DC
Washington DC has no smoker-specific ordinance, but smokers and wood-fired ovens are open-flame cooking devices subject to IFC Section 308.1.4 in multi-famil...
Washington, DC
Washington DC adopts the International Fire Code (IFC) as the DC Fire Code (12-G DCMR). IFC Section 308.1.4 prohibits charcoal and other open-flame cooking d...
See how Washington's landlord entry & notice rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.