All rental properties in DC must be registered with the Department of Buildings (formerly DCRA) and comply with the Housing Code (14 DCMR). Landlords must obtain a Basic Business License with a Rental Housing endorsement and register rent-controlled units with the Rent Administrator.
DC requires all rental housing providers to obtain a Basic Business License (BBL) with a Rental Housing endorsement from the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection. Rent-controlled properties must also register with the Rent Administrator and file required rent ceiling schedules. Properties must pass housing code inspections before a rental license is issued. The DC Housing Code (14 DCMR Chapters 1-14) sets minimum standards for habitability including heating, plumbing, electrical, and structural requirements. Landlords must renew licenses every 2 years and maintain compliance with all housing codes. The DC Tenant Bill of Rights must be provided to all tenants.
Operating a rental property without a license carries fines of $2,000+ per violation. Housing code violations can result in fines from $500 to $5,000 per violation. Persistent violations may lead to receivership of the property.
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
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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 rental registration rules stack up against other locations.
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