The DC Department of Buildings (DOB) is advancing a comprehensive update of the District’s construction codes, a major effort to modernize building regulations, align the District with the latest national model codes, and support safer, more efficient, and more sustainable development across Washington, DC.
The code update process will incorporate newer editions of the International Code Council (ICC) model codes and revise District-specific supplements across all 12 construction code categories. The effort is designed to ensure DC’s regulations keep pace with evolving industry standards, emerging technologies, and national best practices in safety, resilience, energy efficiency, and sustainability.
“Our team at DOB is working diligently to guide the District’s construction codes into their next chapter—modern, consistent, and aligned with national best practices in safety, energy efficiency, and sustainability,” said DOB Director Brian Hanlon. “These updates will help create a clearer, more efficient regulatory framework that supports safe buildings, resilient communities, and predictable outcomes for residents, businesses, and industry professionals.”
DOB will review and update all 12 code categories: (1) building; (2) residential; (3) electrical; (4) fuel gas; (5) mechanical; (6) plumbing; (7) property maintenance; (8) fire; (9) energy conservation; (10) existing building; (11) green construction; and (12) swimming pool and spa.
Listening Sessions
DOB will host seven virtual public listening sessions this summer as the agency’s first step in gathering feedback on proposed construction code updates. Organized by specific code topics, these 60–90-minute sessions invite residents, design professionals, contractors, property owners, developers, and other stakeholders to share how the codes affect their work and daily lives, as well as any challenges they face.
Input collected during these sessions will help shape the agency’s proposed updates and ensure the District’s regulations reflect the needs and real-world experiences of those who use them.
The seven virtual sessions will be organized by code topic:
- June 25, 2026: Property Maintenance; Swimming Pool and Spa
- July 9, 2026: Building, Existing Building
- July 23, 2026: Electrical
- August 5, 2026: Residential
- August 19, 2026: Fuel Gas Code, Mechanical, and Plumbing
- September 9, 2026: Energy Conservation and Green Construction
- September 24, 2026: Fire
Members of the public can register for sessions here. Recordings and transcripts will also be made available on the DOB website.
What’s Next
Following the conclusion of listening sessions in September, DOB will shift its focus toward completing the first set of proposed regulations in mid-to-late fall. After the rules are issued, the public will have additional opportunities to provide feedback, including a 45-day comment period and separate engagement sessions.
The agency anticipates it will issue a second set of proposed rules in the summer of 2027, with the issuance of final rules coming in winter 2027.
District Investments in Businesses
The construction code modernization effort complements Mayor Bowser’s proposed Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) Budget, which includes initiatives designed to reduce the cost of doing business, accelerate housing production, and support economic growth.
Under the proposal, DOB would reduce Certificate of Occupancy fees to a flat $36 and accelerate code modernization efforts while developing practical pathways for compliance with future energy performance requirements. Additionally, the proposed delay in implementation of Net-Zero energy code and Building Energy Performance Standards allows DC to modernize its construction codes to match today’s reality by incorporating lessons learning and developing better compliance options.
With DOB as the new lead in construction code development, the updated construction codes will help ensure DC remains competitive, supports housing and economic development goals, and provides a modern regulatory framework that serves residents, businesses, and the building industry for years to come.
This builds upon ongoing investments and initiatives of the Bowser administration, such as:
- A revised Building Conversion Permit Fee that significantly reduces the cost of permits for residential conversion projects, particularly office-to-residential.
- Upcoming expansions to DOB’s Pop-up Permits program, which allows the temporary use of previously vacant buildings for up to one year without going through the traditional permitting process.
- The Vacant to Vibrant Amendment Act of 2025, which more quickly returns vacant and blighted properties back into productive use by incentivizing property owners to minimize the duration of vacancies.
- Zoning Decision Appeals Amendment Act of 2025, which will streamline zoning appeals and reduce bad faith appeals that stall new housing and development.
- Transfer and Recordation Tax Appeals Amendment Act of 2025, which will provide an appeals process for onerous taxation that inhibits investment in commercial properties.
To stay abreast of code development updates, subscribe to DOB’s newsletter, bookmark its construction code development webpage, or reach out to [email protected].