Building Permits in Washington, District of Columbia
Part of District of Columbia.
We have not yet verified rules published by Washington itself. Below are the District of Columbia rules that apply, and where to ask.
Where to apply
Permits in Washington are issued by the city's building or planning department. If the city does not run its own permit office, District of Columbia handles applications.
District of Columbia statewide rules
State defaults apply everywhere in the state; cities and counties may add stricter local rules.
- Building code
- 2017 DC Construction Codes: 2015 ICC family of model codes, 2014 National Electrical Code and 2013 ASHRAE 90.1, as amended by 12 DCMR, effective May 29, 2020 source: dob.dc.gov
- Local changes allowed
- Yes source: dob.dc.gov
- Issued by
- District of Columbia Department of Buildings (DOB) source: dob.dc.gov
Shed
- Height limit (ft)
- 10 source: dob.dc.gov
- Permit required
- Depends source: dob.dc.gov
- Size limit (sq ft)
- 50 source: dob.dc.gov
Fence
- Permit required
- Yes source: dob.dc.gov
- Exempt from a permit
- Repair of existing fences with in-kind materials does not require a building permit (unless in a historic district) source: dob.dc.gov
Deck
- Permit required
- Yes source: dob.dc.gov
Pool
- Permit required
- Depends source: dob.dc.gov
- Exempt from a permit
- Prefabricated above-ground pools less than 24 inches deep, not exceeding 1,000 gallons, not connected to a circulation system, accessory to a Use Group R-3 occupancy or Residential Code building source: dob.dc.gov
Garage
- Permit required
- Yes source: dob.dc.gov
Solar Panels
- Conditions
- Solar permits are applied for through the DOB Citizen Access Portal (one- and two-family residential projects otherwise use the DOB Permit Wizard) source: dob.dc.gov
HVAC
- Permit required
- Yes source: dob.dc.gov
Electrical
- Conditions
- Only licensed DC contractors for the specific trade may apply for these permits. source: dob.dc.gov
Plumbing
- Conditions
- Only licensed DC contractors for the specific trade may apply for these permits. source: dob.dc.gov
Driveway
- Exempt from a permit
- Private sidewalks and driveways source: dob.dc.gov
Home Addition
- Permit required
- Yes source: dob.dc.gov
Demolition
- Conditions
- Demolition and raze permits are applied for through the DOB Citizen Access Portal source: dob.dc.gov
- Permit required
- Yes source: dob.dc.gov
Windows
- Exempt from a permit
- Installation of window screens and storm windows source: dob.dc.gov