The Department of Buildings' (DOB) Homeowner's Center helps homeowners get building permits for home improvement projects such as decks, fences, interior renovations and repairs, and window replacement.
The Homeowner Center facilitates the plan review process from start to finish by:
- providing support and resources, including general information about permit regulations and procedures;
- explaining application requirements for your project;
- reviewing and approving your plans; and
- issuing your permit once your plans are approved.
Our goal is to make your experience as convenient and simple as possible.
Who Can Use the Center
Any homeowner of a one or two-family home, or agent on the homeowner’s behalf with written authorization.
How it Works
Once you have confirmed your project’s scope of work, you can:
- first submit a permit application using the Permit Wizard; and
- review the required checklists for commercial and residential projects that are processed through ProjectDox.
If you are unsure whether a permit is required, you can contact the Homeowner’s Center for guidance and the next steps by making an appointment online or walking-in during operating hours.
Simple and Easy Permitting Resources Are Online
- For many small repairs and replacement projects, you can obtain a permit online through our Postcard Permits.
- DOB also has several online tools to make getting permits simple and fast having to travel to our office.
What Types of Projects Can Be Reviewed in the Center
All structural and some nonstructural work requires building permits. The Homeowner's Center only issues those permits.
Please refer to our Job Classification System for descriptions of work that can be reviewed, but work includes:
- Driveway – New
- Drywall – Repair/replace not more than 500 sq. ft.
- Fences – New/replacement
- Interior remodeling/alteration and repair – No more than 500 sq. ft. including bathrooms, kitchens without major structural change or removal or erection of interior load-bearing walls or impact on the sharing/party walls
- Interior non-load bearing wall demolition
- Porch & Steps – Repair existing on private Property, not in historic or fine arts jurisdictions
- Retaining Walls – Less than 4 ft. in height maximum, measured from the bottom of the footing, and land disturbance is greater than 500 sq. ft. (on private property)
- Accessory Structure (Garage/Shed) – No more than 500 sq. ft. and 15 ft. high; alteration & repair of existing; no change in use
- Addition to Single-Family Dwelling – Up to 500 sq. ft.; no more than 1 story high at ground level; no party walls, no removal of exterior or load-bearing wall
- One-Level Decks – Less than 500 sq. ft. and less than 10 ft. above grade
- Window/Door Replacement/Repair – If your property is in a Historic or CFA jurisdiction, you must get approval before you apply for a permit
- Roof Repairs/Replacement – No structural changes
**For properties located in a historic district, please apply for a Historic Property - Special Permit as the Office of Planning is required to review such scopes of work that fall under the Postcard permit category.
Other Steps to Remember
What if the project involves plumbing, electrical, or mechanical permits
Plumbing, mechanical, and electrical permits are trade permits issued only to licensed and bonded master trade professionals. Homeowners cannot apply for trade permits. The master licensed trade professional must get trade permits through the Citizens Access Portal or Permit Wizard.
How long does it take to get a permit
DOB will work with the homeowner and any additional agencies to issue the permit within five business days.
Do I need to complete a neighbor notification?
If your project involves work on a party wall, a shared fence, or retaining wall between you and a neighboring property, neighbor notification is required. Please refer to our Notify Your Neighbor process to learn more.
What next steps do I need to take after I get my permit?
Please get more information from our Inspections site.
How to Reach Us
We conduct digital walk-throughs to assist customers during Center operating hours. For general inquiries call (202) 671-3500.