Services
DOB determines that a building is blighted if it is unsafe, unsanitary, or otherwise determined to threaten the health, safety, or general welfare of the community.
In making the determination, we consider the following factors:
If you've received a notice from the DOB Office of Residential Inspections concerning a vacant or blighted designation, use the following to determine whether your building qualifies for a vacant property exemption.
Need to report a property in the District of Columbia? Choose from the services below when reporting activities regarding properties.
District Regulations (DCMR 14, Section 302 Exterior Property Areas) prohibit property owners – both commercial and residential – from allowing grass and weeds on their premises to grow more than 8 inches in height.
The DOB Resident Inspector Program is an innovative approach: DOB trains District residents to perform housing, illegal construction, and vacant building inspections and then pays the trained inspectors whenever they successfully complete an inspection.
A structure that retains earth (soil). Common retaining wall material includes concrete, rocks or timber.
A temporary structure that servers as platform to do work on existing and/or new building. If the scaffold will occupy public space such as a side walk or public alley, a permit from District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is required.
Construction or renovation of a shed, to include garden and storage sheds.
This permit is required for temporary support of excavations, generally for the purpose of constructing underground structures and basements.
A permit is needed to erect and replace an exterior sign. This includes the advertisement of business.
An online permit for small scale common construction projects that are limited to specified scopes of work determined by DOB. To include trade permit:
The testing and surveying of soil to determine capability. Review of this permit requires the approval District Department and Energy and the Environment (DOEE).
A panel designed to absorb the sun’s rays as a source of energy for generating electricity. A separate electrical will be needed for installation.
Special signs are authorized by the District of Columbia Council for specific locations. (32 total locations authorized). A permit is needed for copy changes and changing locations.
A swimming pool permit is needed for the construction of and modification to a swimming pool. Separate permits may needed for the installation of water systems.
The work necessary to finish the interior layout of space previously permitted under the construction codes (base building permit). Includes first occupancy of space.
To erect a tower crane. Other permits may be needed such as a DDOT permit for locations that involve public space.
Used for the collection of underground water storage. Separate reviews are required from the District Department and Energy and the Environment (DOEE).