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Department of Buildings

DOB has issued a Stop Construction Order effective 7:00 PM, November 4, 2024, for the Howard University area due to Vice President Kamala Harris's election night watch party. Learn more here.

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Addition, Alteration and Repair Permit

Permit Description

An extension or increase in the building area, aggregate floor area, number of stories, or height of a building or structure.

Permit Timeline: For total work areas less than 1,000 square feet*, DOB's review timeline is one (1) business day. 

Please note that this excludes the following:

  • New public utility connections (electric, gas, water/sewer)
  • Change in use or occupant load
  • Food, licensed medical facility, childcare, or Community Residential Facility (CRF) uses
  • Projects requiring neighbor notification
  • Projects increasing the number of bathrooms or bedrooms, or removing/rearranging any walls 

*If the work area exceeds 1,000 square feet, DOB's review timeline is 30 business days.

Submission Requirements

  1. All additions (i.e. increase in height or length, enclosing an existing structure) must include a surveyor’s plat that details the evaluation and dimensions of the existing and proposed structures.
  2. Floor plans must be included to show the existing and proposed structures.
  3. If you are submitting a residential addition that is less 500 square feet, above grade and one level, your plans can be reviewed within our Homeowners Center. (**Please view the Homeowners Center page for the advantages and criteria of the Homeowner’s Center.)
  4. If work includes construction on the property line or party walls, neighbor notification is required.

Application Process

  1. If you are submitting an application for a one- or two-family residential project, please use the DOB Permit Wizard. For all other projects, please click Apply for a Permit button below.
  2. Complete all required questions/fields (the length, height and width of your addition structure)
  3. Upload a formal quote, contract agreement or MS report and submit to pay the filing fee.
  4. Your application will be reviewed for next steps to begin the plan review. (Please view the plan review criteria for the two types of plan review).
  5. All plan reviews occur electronically within 30 business days.

 

Apply for a Permit

 

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