36 ©2018 WASHINGTON DC ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP BUSINESS REGISTRATION & LICENSING
BUSINESS SITE LICENSES & PERMITS
BUILDING PERMITS
You are required by law to obtain a permit for construction in
the District of Columbia if you are going to be constructing,
demolishing, renovating, or altering your building, home, or
business. Even if you are not doing work, but are changing
the use of a building or space, you will need to obtain a
building permit. You may apply for permits in person at the
Permit Service Center of the Department of Consumer and
Regulatory Affairs or online at dcra.dc.gov.
Please note that other agencies (e.g. DC Health, the District
Department of Transportation, and DC Water) are tied
into the permitting process and have their own approval
requirements. If you need further assistance or have multiple
permits, contact DCRA’s Building Permit Customer Service
Section at (202) 478-9292.
You need a permit for:
• New construction and foundations;
• Additions, alterations, or repair of existing buildings;
• Razes (demolition) and interior or partial demolition;
• Erection of a sign and awning;
• Layout of interior space for tenants in new or existing
commercial buildings;
• Change of use or load increase
Search “DCMR Title 12 Chapter 1” online for the entire list of
required permits.
BUILDING PLATS (ISSUED BY DCRA)
Building plats—drawings showing the location of all property
lines—are required as the basis for all additions and new
buildings. An original and three copies can be obtained
for a fee from the District Office of the Surveyor. You are
encouraged to place your order a minimum of seven days in
advance, although an expedited plat service is available. Plats
show lot lines and do not show improvements, which must be
added by the applicant. Plats are required for the following
types of work:
• New buildings and additions
• Retaining walls and fences
• Sheds and garages
• Awnings
Site plans are required for:
• New buildings, additions, interior, and exterior alterations
• Retaining walls, sheds, and garages
• Excavation for foundations
PUBLIC SPACE PERMITS (ISSUED BY DISTRICT
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION)
Public Space Permits are required to use or install structures
on public space, which is the area between the building
or property line and the curb. Restaurants with outdoor
sidewalk seating will need to apply for the Sidewalk Café
Permit. You are required to complete an application for
Public Space Permits in order to:
• Construct sidewalks, alleys, flagpoles, fountains,
planter boxes, retaining walls, fences, and any other
improvements in public spaces
• Excavate in public space to construct foundations
• Occupy public space temporarily for construction
equipment
WATER OR SEWER EXCAVATION PERMITS
(REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY DC WATER AND
ISSUED BY DDOT)
You must complete an application for Water or Sewer
Excavation Permits to:
• Install water or sewer pipes
• Make connections to existing water and sewer mains in
the street
• Excavate for water meters and meter vaults in
public spaces
TRADE PERMITS (ISSUED BY DCRA)
Licensed contractors are required to complete an application
for Trade Permits in order to install:
• HVAC systems plumbing installation and fixtures
• Electrical wiring, service, and fixtures
• Fire alarm and sprinkler systems
Floor plans, elevations, cross-sections, and detailed drawings
are required in various combinations for all proposed
construction, except for razes. You will need a building
permit before subcontractors apply for trade permits. Permits
for simple projects can be issued over the counter in half
an hour as a “walk-through,” while more complex projects
are classified as “file jobs” and may require 14 to 30 days for
completion of reviews.
/dcra.dc.gov