(Washington, DC) – The DC Department of Buildings (DOB) recently cited 486 violations and $546,606 in fines against 15 District properties associated with Rashid Salem/Petra Development, a landlord known to be noncompliant with the DC housing code, as the result of a multi-day inspection initiative.
“Proactive inspections against properties that based on our analytical data and community reports are known to have issues with housing code compliance are one of the tools in our enforcement toolbox,” said DOB Director Brian J. Hanlon. “Our increased ability to target these properties helps advance our mission to ensure District residents have safe housing.”
Fifteen properties have been associated with Rashid Salem/Petra Development. From 2018 through July 4, 2025, DOB has assessed nearly 575 violations at those properties—with approximately 55% remaining unabated—representing $185,000 in fines. Abatement levels below 50% are less than DOB’s Fiscal Year 2024 global average. In addition, these properties have been the subject of escalated interest from sister agencies and the public, warranting greater scrutiny. DOB Notices of infractions (NOIs) provide that violations be fixed within 60 days for non-emergencies, and within 24 hours for emergencies.
DOB continues to inspect problematic properties—proactively or by tenant request—to find any new violations and confirm the status of existing ones. The agency intensified inspections at Rashid Salem/Petra Development properties beginning July 5 and concluding on July 13.
The results of the July inspections are as follows:
- 15 properties
- 299 units
- 14 common areas
- 275 total inspections
- 486 violations
- 252 NOIs issued
A complete list of Rashid Salem/Petra Development properties inspected between July 5 and July 13 is below.
| Address | Ward | Total Inspections | Emergency Violations | Routine Violations | Total Violations | Original Fine Amount |
| 1363 PEABODY STREET NW | 4 | 29 | 27 | 15 | 42 | $52,716 |
| 1400 WHITTIER PLACE NW | 4 | 10 | 4 | 1 | 5 | $8,121 |
| 1401 WHITTIER PLACE NW | 4 | 16 | 0 | 4 | 4 | $500 |
| 1731 KALORAMA ROAD NW | 1 | 15 | 10 | 9 | 19 | $22,613 |
| 2027 RHODE ISLAND AVENUE NE | 5 | 18 | 16 | 22 | 38 | $38,732 |
| 2430 WISCONSIN AVENUE NW | 3 | 23 | 19 | 8 | 27 | $28,231 |
| 4829 NORTH CAPITOL STREET NE | 5 | 14 | 37 | 21 | 58 | $63,844 |
| 5601 13TH STREET NW | 4 | 27 | 29 | 27 | 57 | $77,467 |
| 5616 13TH STREET NW | 4 | 23 | 57 | 25 | 82 | $88,084 |
| 5816 GEORGIA AVENUE NW | 4 | 9 | 6 | 7 | 13 | $11,869 |
| 5910 14TH STREET NW | 4 | 8 | 12 | 8 | 20 | $16,620 |
| 5920 14TH STREET NW | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | $1,874 |
| 5950 14TH STREET NW | 4 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 9 | $9,373 |
| 6701 14TH STREET NW | 4 | 20 | 2 | 16 | 18 | $13,496 |
| 6707 14TH STREET NW | 4 | 30 | 12 | 3 | 15 | $18,111 |
| 743 FAIRMONT STREET NW | 1 | 27 | 41 | 36 | 77 | $94,955 |
| Total | 275 | 274 | 211 | 486 | $546,606 |
For property owners with large numbers of outstanding violations, DOB’s Outreach Abatement and Reconciliation (OAR) program directly engages with them to help increase their abatement levels. This program has shown positive results, with an increase of 42% in the abatement rate. More details on the agency’s overall work in improving abatement rates can be found in its FY2024 Strategic Enforcement Report.
If the OAR process is unsuccessful, cases are reviewed for escalated enforcement through prosecution partners such as the Office of Administrative Hearings and the Office of the Attorney General.
DOB encourages District tenants to work with property owners to resolve suspected housing and property maintenance issues. However, when those issues remain unresolved, tenants should contact DOB at dob.dc.gov or 202-671-3500 so the agency can schedule an inspection as soon as possible.