• Other permits/approvals needed may include:
  • An issued DDOT Occupancy construction staging area permit is required for DDOT approval. Applicants can apply online at tops.ddot.dc.gov; this will require a 15-day processing time. The only required drawing submission is a Traffic Control Plan. Once your DDOT permit is issued, contact a DDOT manager with a copy of the permit and the Raze letter for signature.
  • A plumbing supplemental permit, obtained by a DC-licensed plumber is required for any water/sewer line cap.
  • If the proposed work consists of 50 square feet or greater of land disturbance, you must submit an erosion and sediment control site plan to the Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) through the DOEE Surface and Groundwater System. Contact DOEE staff if you have questions.
• Fees and costs include:
  • Raze Permit fees, which are assessed based on the information you provide (cubic feet of structure to be razed); any fee adjustment necessary after field inspection will be assessed on permit issuance.
  • Sidewalk deposits and/or tap bills may be required before Raze Permit issuance. Contact DDOT’s Public Space Management Administration to get more information.
  • Fees are required for abandonment of the water/sewer services in the public easement (paved road).
  • You must pay any outstanding water bills before a Raze Permit can be issued.
• You must follow the Neighbor Notification safeguards for any adjacent properties when there is any impact on party walls. 

1. Log onto your Access DC account and select Raze Permit.
2. Answer all required questions,
3. Upload photo(s) accurately depicting premises and the structure to be raised.
4. DOB staff will review your application and send an email with all raze letters.
5. Once accepted, post the required Public Notice placard visibly on the front of the structure.
6. Obtain all signatures before submitting back to DOB for final approval.
7. Payment of the Raze Permit fee includes the filing fee, which is paid at the time of submission, and the remaining permit fee once approved. The Raze Permit fee calculation is based upon the volume of the structure in cubic feet times 0.02 (please ensure that measurements are listed accurately during application submission).
8. Raze clearance letters are emailed upon acceptance and include the following agencies and DOB divisions for approvals/signoffs:
   • DOB Plumbing Inspection
   • DDOT Public Space
   • PEPCO - Utility Cut Off
   • Verizon - Utility Cut Off
   • Washington Gas - Utility Cut Off
   • DC Water - Sewer/Water line Cut Public
   • DOB Zoning Administrator - Overlay Impacts on Site
   •  DOEE Asbestos Abatement
   • DOEE Soil Erosion Control
   • DOB Construction Inspection
   • DC Health Vector Control
   • Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB)
   • Department of Housing Community Development (DHCD) Rental Accommodations Division
9. You are responsible for submitting clearance letters to required agencies, paying any required fees to the agencies, and getting written approvals. 
10. Please get your plumbing permit for your cut and cap before scheduling your plumbing inspection. Call for inspection at (202) 671-3500 for automated scheduling.
11. Once all raze letters have been signed by all applicable agencies, you must then contact the Inspection and Compliance Administration at (202) 671-3500 to schedule your inspection and to get your Construction Branch letter signed. 
12. Before DOB will issue a Raze Permit, the building(s) must be unoccupied. If the building is still occupied, DOB will accept and process the Permit Application, but will not issue the Permit until the applicant notifies the Permit Division that the building is vacant.
13. To submit your Raze package for final approval, it must include all signed letters. If you did not provide the Certificate of Liability Insurance and pictures during submission, those documents will also be requested for final approval. The Certificate should be issued to the Chief Building Official of DOB. Please send the full application package to [email protected] for review. Please allow 3 business days for the review and processing of final fees.

You may also email [email protected] regarding general inquiries regarding the raze process.

NOTE: DOB will not issue any Raze Permits before the end of the applicable 30-day public notification period.