In our fast-paced world, we recognize that your time is valuable. To help ease the process of requesting an inspection, improve our response times, and keep customers informed in real time, the Department of Buidings (DOB) is launching Dispatch, our inspections-on-demand system.

Now, when a customer submits a request for an inspection using the inspection request forms available on dob.dc.gov, an inspection is automatically scheduled. Dispatch then:

• Issues a confirmation of the request, including a reference number, directly to the customer,
• Confirms the date and window of time when the inspection will occur and provides the name of the inspector to the customer,
• Includes a link, which when opened, provides the current status of the inspection, and
• Provides automated updates to the customer when an attempt to inspect is unsuccessful, needs to be rescheduled or is completed.

Using Dispatch, inspections may be requested for housing code or property maintenance issues – including structural concerns, for possible illegal construction, to meet the requirements for Basic Business License issuance, and to confirm the status of a vacant or blighted property.

While available on the dob.dc.gov home page, customers may request inspections below:

• Request a Housing and Property Maintenance Inspection
• Request an Illegal Construction Inspection
• Request a Basic Business License Inspection for Your Rental Property
• Request a Vacant Property Inspection

Dispatch is one of the innovative projects launched by DOB to improve responsiveness, extend greater access, and increase transparency to our customers. Other products that are transforming the way DOB provides government services include Tertius, the construction inspection marketplace, the Permit Wizard residential permitting application, and the Contractor Rating System.