The Department of Buildings (DOB) supports a thriving community of residents, businesses, and visitors through diligent protection of health and safety and equitable administration of regulation and compliance in the District. It is DOB's mission to ensure your building and your unit is healthy and safe.

• Request a Housing Inspection

Any construction in the District of Columbia done without required building permits is illegal construction. Construction in the District of Columbia is allowed Monday through Saturday from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm without any special permits. Please call 311 to report imminent danger of collapse conditions immediately.

• Report Illegal Construction
• Illegal Construction Inspection Request Form

If you need an inspection of completed work you did under structural, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, fire protection, elevator, or boiler permits, or you need a zoning inspection, please call (202) 671-3500.

• Schedule a Construction Inspection Using Interactive Voice Response (IVR) or using Tertius, our online marketplace for construction inspections.
• This customer guide is helpful for preparing for permit-based inspections.

In order to obtain or renew a Basic Business License as a rental property provider, landlords must obtain and pass an inspection. There is no cost for the inspection, however, if a property fails the inspection or you request that the inspection be rescheduled with less than two business days advance notice, you will be responsible for paying a $90.00 re-inspection fee that must be paid prior to license renewal.

• Basic Business License Inspection Process

Boilers and Unfired Pressure Vessels in the District of Columbia need to be inspected at least once a year. The annual inspections can be conducted by DOB inspectors or by boiler insurance companies licensed by the District of Columbia. You can request an inspection by calling (202) 671-3500.

• Boiler Inspection Information

No elevator or conveying system, including, but not limited to, escalators, dumbwaiters, wheelchair lifts, cartveyors, manlifts and moving walks, shall be operated without a valid certificate of inspection issued by the code official.

• Get more information

The Department of Buildings conducts inspections of all elevators in the District. The District of Columbia requires that an owner of a conveyance that is in public use have a valid Certificate of Inspection issued by DOB in order to operate that conveyance in accordance with DC law.

• Elevator Inspection Information

The Proactive Inspection Program is designed to promote safety and ensure all multi-family rental buildings in the District of Columbia meet residential property maintenance and building codes.

• Get a Proactive Inspection at no cost to tenants
• View Proactive Inspection Schedules
• Property owners and managers – Pay Your Proactive Inspection Program Fee Online!

In order to be approved to participate in the Third Party Program, a Third Party Agency must submit an application to DOB, for review and/or approval. The application must identify the Professional-In-Charge and a list of inspectors and/or plan reviewers affiliated with the agency who will perform or supervise Third Party inspections and plan reviews. Refer to the Third Party Program Manual for more information on the approval process. 

• Third Party Inspection Information & Inspections