Instant Permits Are Here!
Instant Permits (formerly “postcard permits”) launched on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, offering clearly defined scopes of work tailored for one- and two-family residential structures. This includes the installation of solar panel systems up to 15 Kilowatts and the in-kind replacement of up to 15 windows. For any work outside these new scopes, a standard building permit is required.
Questions? Email [email protected].
Permit Description
Instant Permits allow you to easily get a building permit online for the most common home improvement and small construction projects. Apply online, pay for, and receive an “Instant Permit” from your home or office computer—quickly and easily, without waiting in lines or traveling to DOB’s permit offices. We’ll even email you a copy so you will never have to worry about losing it.
Instant Permits are limited to specified scopes of work determined by DOB, typically involving repairs, replacements, and/or installations. Key definitions to keep in mind:
- Repair: The reconstruction or renewal of a part for maintenance or to correct damage.
- Replacement in kind: Swapping out a feature with a similar one that matches the original in look, feel, material, design, detail, location, and size.
Trade permits for the following work are also available: (1) Instant Electrical General Permit; (2) Electrical Heavy Up Permit; (3) Instant Gas Fitting Permit; (4) Instant Mechanical Permit; and (5) Instant Plumbing Permit. More details are provided below.
Other Types of Permits That May Be Needed
- If your property is located in a historically designated area, you can complete a Historic Property - Special Permit for minor repairs or replacements that must be submitted and reviewed. To determine your property’s status, go to Scout (our consolidated database system) and enter your property information.
- Any construction done on public space requires a separate public space permit from the District Department of Transportation.
Building Instant Permit
For one to two family dwellings, an Instant Permit is allowed for the following work:
- Interior demolition of non-structural elements, max 1,000 square feet (sq. ft.)
- Repair or replace ductwork of a single HVAC system.
- Replace in kind of up to 1,000 sq. ft. of rated ceiling tile.
- Repair or replace up to four stories of a single interior stairway.
- Replace in kind of up to five exterior doors.
- Replace in kind of up to 15 windows.
- Replace up to 800 sq. ft. (25 sheets) gypsum board, not in rated assembly.
- Install new roof mounted solar panel system (limited to no more than 15 Kilowatts)
- Replace in kind bathroom exhaust fan.
- Replace in kind kitchen exhaust fan.
An Instant Permit is also allowed for this work:
- Install one temporary construction trailer on private property.
- Repair or replace guards, guardrails and handrails of a single interior stairway up, to four stories.
- Repair or replace guards/guardrails of up to five balconies/ porches on the same building.
- Replace in kind of existing fence wholly on owner's property and less than 7 feet tall.
Electrical (General) Instant Permit
For residential, commercial, or industrial projects, required for this work:
- Install not more than 10 new outlets and not more than 10 new lighting fixtures.
- Replace or repair not more than 10 existing outlets and not more than 10 existing lighting fixtures.
- Install not more than 10 new outlets in a power-limited system.
For residential projects, required when installing or replacing not more than one residential electric appliance.
Electrical (Heavy-Up) Instant Permit
- Can only be issued to licensed contractors to upgrade one existing electrical system to a maximum of 200 Amps.
- Does not authorize the erection of electrical service and/or meter boxes in public space.
Mechanical Instant Permit
Can only be issued to licensed contractors for:
- Installing not more than one new air conditioning unit, up to a maximum of 10 tons of equivalent refrigerating effect.
- Repairing not more than one existing refrigerating or cooling unit, up to a maximum of 10 tons of equivalent refrigerating effect.
- Residential, commercial or industrial facilities:
- Converting one existing refrigerating or cooling unit to adapt it to use an environmentally safe refrigerant, not including installing rated detection, alarm, and ventilation devices.
- Installing, as required, gas detection, alarm, and ventilation devices related to the use of environmentally safe refrigerants as a result of converting existing refrigerating or cooling equipment, in a single location.
Plumbing Instant Permit
Can only be issued to licensed contractors for:
- Residential, commercial or industrial projects: Installing or replacing not more than one new plumbing fixture.
- Repairing existing plumbing systems, including installing not more than one new fixture.
- Minor alterations to existing plumbing systems, including installing not more than one new fixture. Excludes changing the piping layout serving more than three fixtures, including domestic water, sewer, or venting systems.
- Installing one backflow preventer.
- One sewer or water line cut.
- Pressure testing of a single water system.
Gas Fitting Instant Permit
Can only be issued to licensed contractors for:
- Repairing existing fuel gas systems, including connecting not more than one new gas appliance.
- Minor alterations to existing fuel gas systems, including installing not more than one new gas appliance (this does not include changing the layout of the fuel gas system piping serving more than two appliances).
- Replacing not more than one gas appliance, on a residential, commercial, or industrial project.
- Testing of a single gas line.
How to Apply for an Instant Permit
- All permits can be applied for, paid and issued completely online.
- A DC master licensed professional must obtain trade permits (electrical, gas fitting, mechanical, and plumbing permits).
- Building Instant permits can be obtained by the property owner.