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Winter Edition
December 2016 - March 2017
Volume 1: Issue 5
Greetings:
I am so proud of the agency and all of the hard work we are putting into serving the residents of the District of Columbia. Our agency has weathered many different storms, but we have never been stronger.
We are at an opportune place to implement the changes this agency needs. This year, our goal is to focus on creating and implementing an environment of resolution. We are creating an environment where management and staff must collaboratively focus on exhibiting forward-thinking behavior and results-driven solutions when working with our customers and stakeholders.
This year, we are extending our external initiatives and have implemented an internal initiative.
Actions Count │ Results Matter
This campaign was initiated to improve agency communications from the top down and to ensure that leadership continues to lead and manage the agency with humility and dedication. Additionally, the Actions Count, Results Matter theme considers “taking responsibility and ownership of one’s actions” as it relates to exhibiting superior customer service and impeccable work-related knowledge.
Feedback from our customers and partners is vital and valuable to DCRA’s growth and transformation. Please take a moment to complete our general customer service survey if you have recently interacted with DCRA.
We look forward to partnering with you as you provide feedback on our customer service, resources and initiatives as we work to maintain, improve and enhance our level of service.
Sincerely,
Melinda Bolling
Director, DCRA
DCRA Launches Safe & Simple Initiatives
On February 15th, DCRA launched our new Safe & Simple Initiative aimed at improving customer service for city residents and businesses. As part of the initiative, DCRA is offering the following services and resources to make processes simpler and District residents and businesses safer:
The online appointment scheduling system for the Permit and Licensing Centers allows customers to select an appointment time online – from home or on-the-go – before visiting DCRA to help make the wait time more predictable by having a personal appointment. Additionally, the new scheduling tool allows customers to make appointments with other District agency offices located within the Permit Center, including the Office of Planning, the District Department of Transportation, and DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services.
When it comes to online scheduling for permit-based inspections, this system allows project managers and property owners to select their preferred day for required inspections, without the need for a call into the agency. Customers with an active permit can select the appointment day through DCRA’s Citizen Portal.
The How-To Submit a Complete Set of Plans video helps customers navigate the permitting process, educates the public on how to submit a complete set of plans, and highlights how to avoid common application errors. With this video, we are looking to lessen the errors made when submitting plans to obtain a building permit.
The Deck Guide assists with the design and construction requirements of building a one-level deck. The Ramp Guide assists in designing an ADA-compliant wooden ramp. Also, the Ramp Guide provides seniors with a resource that will assist them in the process of aging in place. Both guides can assist homeowners, designers, and general contractors in designing the desired structure, applying for and obtaining a building permit, passing the building plan review, processing fee calculations, acquiring zoning approval when required, and passing inspections. If all required documents are submitted and requirements have been met, the appropriate permit can be issued, in most instances, within one (1) business day in our Permit Center. Both guides are available online and in the Permit Center.
Visit DCRA’s Safe & Simple webpage for more information.
District
Requirements: Installation & Maintenance of Smoke & Carbon Monoxide
Detectors in Effect
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As one of the District’s regulatory agency, effective March 28th, DCRA began enforcing the requirements pertaining to the installation and maintenance of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. During the initial education period, we will be educating the public about the transition. Inspectors will begin issuing warning notices to persons that are not in compliance with the Property Maintenance Code (2013).
Beginning October 1st, inspectors will issue a Notice of Violation (NOV) to property owners failing to comply with the code. The NOV shall carry a potential fine. If the violation is not corrected within the specified time frame, it could result in an actual civil infraction fine. DCRA has set and communicated the outreach schedule listed below:
March 28, 2017: Inspectors will begin issuing warning notices to persons that are not in compliance with the Property Maintenance Code (2013).
October 1, 2017: Inspectors will begin issuing NOVs to property owners failing to comply with the code; the NOV shall carry a potential fine.
March 1 through September 30, 2017: Education and outreach to partners, customers and District residents and business owners.
For more information on enforcement, click here to see the updated requirements.
Construction Neighbor Rights & Resources
 The District has policies and resources that help protect you and your property when a neighbor is doing construction adjacent to your property. The main purpose of DCRA policies and District Construction Codes are to protect the public health, safety and general welfare of residential and business occupants and visitors.
To better educate the public on neighbor rights resources during construction, DCRA created a new webpage that explains neighbor notification and noise complaints.
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DCRA Hires New Third Party Program Manager
Patrick
H. Allen was recently hired as the new DCRA Third Party Program Manager in the
Building Department. Mr. Allen began
work in code compliance in Helena-West Helena, Arkansas in 2008, as a Code
Officer. In 2015, he was promoted to
Director of Code Enforcement. Mr. Allen
was instrumental in the adoption of the mechanical code, zoning codes, and
various other ordinances to improve department funding and compliance with
state codes. His priority was also to create an efficient, functional program
which increased accountability, compliance, and personal responsibility among
all residents.
“As
Director, my goals were simple: establish procedures which were easy to follow
that created a mutually beneficial relationship between property owners,
contractors, and the city government, through community outreach and
transparency.”
Mr.
Allen’s goal is to apply the same approach to DCRA’s Third Party Program. He
wants to achieve program efficiency and mutual accountability between the
Program and the customers it serves to ensure all construction is performed in
compliance with District building codes to make the city a safe place to live,
work, and play.
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DCRA
Partners with Surrounding Colleges for the University Off-Campus Housing
Initiative
The Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs created the DCRA/University Off-Campus Housing Initiative to assist owners and landlords who rent off-campus housing to students. The objective of this initiative is to ensure that all rental properties meet basic housing code requirements set by District of Columbia laws and regulations.
In January 2014, DCRA began inspecting off-campus student housing that do not have a Basic Business License (BBL) and/or an updated inspection certificate on file. The District of Columbia takes the safety of student housing serious. Partnering with the community can ensure a healthy and safe living environment.
To operate a business and rental property in the District of Columbia, a basic business license and an inspection certificate is required. The type of license a business and rental property should obtain is based on the type of business conducted in the District of Columbia. In some instances, business entities whose principals are required to maintain licensure by a local, state or national certification board or body may not be required to obtain a BBL.
The DCRA/University Off-Campus Housing Initiative will work with universities and owner/ landlords to make certain that student rented properties are properly licensed and inspected. DCRA requires owners and landlords to meet District and federal housing health codes. These codes describe and specify guidelines that regulate emergency exits, fire extinguishers, notifications systems, operational heating systems, property maintenance, heating, plumbing, roofing, pests (such as rats, mice, or other pests) and structural matters such as walls, windows, basements and attics. This program was established to ensure that rental properties are deemed safe and habitable.
Check out our ThisShouldBeIllegal.com website for renter's rights and informational blogs.
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DCRA
to Promote Awareness through Building Safety Month in May
Building Safety Month was founded by the International Code Council (ICC) and is a public awareness campaign to help individuals understand what it takes to create safe and sustainable structures. The campaign emphasizes the importance of implementing modern model building codes, a strong and efficient system of code enforcement and a well-trained, professional workforce to maintain the system.
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During May, DCRA will host several free resourceful
events that will assist communities in becoming aware of the importance of code
officials and the critical role they play in applying model codes and standards
used in the design, build and compliance process to help construct safe,
sustainable, and more affordable and resilient communities.
The 37th 2017 theme, Code Officials:
Partners in Community Safety and
Economic Growth will be supported by weekly themes that spotlight specific
areas of the roles of code officials in building safety and fire prevention:
Week One: May 1-7, 2017, Mentoring
the Next Generation of Building Professionals
Week Two: May 8-14, 2017, Building
Design Solutions for All Ages
Week Three: May 15-21, 2017, Manage
the Damage - Preparing for Natural Disasters
Week Four: May 22-28, 2017,
Investing in Technology for Safety, Energy & Water Efficiency
Be on the look out for Building Safety Month Events on the DCRA events page.
Homeowner Center Outreach
DCRA’s Homeowner Center has been busy educating homeowners and contactors on the new Deck Guide. We held a workshop at DCRA, as well and offered two online webinar trainings.
On Thursday, April 6th, DCRA presented at ANC1B04 meeting. Our staff shared resources and valuable information to ANCs to share with the community’s homeowners; especially as renovations are increasing this spring and throughout the summer months. Please contact DCRACommTeam@dc.gov if you would like DCRA to come to your ANC meeting to present on homeowner building tips.
It’s
Time to Recruit New MBSYEP Youth
On March 31st, DCRA participated
in the 2017 the Marion Barry Summer Youth Employment Program (MBSYEP) Career
Expo to recruit new students for summer internships with the agency. The agency
looks forward to serving as a 2017 Host Employer Worksite while also providing
meaningful summer work experiences for youth ages 14-24. |
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DMPED March Madness
On March 24th, DCRA participated in the DMPED March Madness event at the Reagan and International Trade Center Amphitheater. We joined other District agencies and networked with the community giving opportunities for question asking and problem solving.
Click here to obtain a copy of the project summary which includes a list of the developments presented at DMPED’s 2016 and 2017 March Madness and the associated Wards and timeline for RFP or bid opportunities. By clicking on the property, you can download a one-pager for additional information. See pictures from the event on our Flickr page.
State of District Address
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On March 30th, DCRA joined Mayor Muriel Bowser at the University of the District of Columbia to give the District Address. Mayor Bowser used this opportunity to address DC residents from all 8 wards, to reflect on her Administration’s accomplishments from this past year, and to discuss her mission going forward for a prosperous DC. See pictures from the event on our Flickr page.
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 On March 22nd, the Occupational and Professional Licensing Administration (OPLA) participated
in the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards’ (NCARB)
presentation at Howard University’s School of Architecture. OPLA’s Executive Director,
Leon Lewis and board administrators, Patrice Richardson (Board of Architecture
and Interior Design) and Avis Pearson (Board of Professional Engineering)
partnered with Howard University and NCARB in speaking to students about
NCARB’s intern development program, Architecture Experience Program (AXP) and
the changes and updates to the NCARB Architectural Registration Exam (ARE)
5.0—both are required for licensure. NCARB's primary function is to design
tools and model procedures for jurisdictions to apply to their regulation of
the path to licensure, ranging from internship
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This is your centralized data section of the newsletter to access permit issuance information in seven different categories for all eight wards across the District. We hope these stats provide a better insight into developments happening in and around your respective communities.
Permitting Data
3,604
permits were issued in December
2016. See a summary of permits issued by Wards below:
Wards
1-8
3,473
permits were issued
in January 2017. See a summary of permits issued by Wards below:
Wards
1-8
3,673
permits were issued in February 2017. See a summary of permits issued by
Wards below:
Wards
1-8
4,156
permits were issued March 2017. See a summary of permits issued by Wards below:
General Business Licenses Data
275
licenses were issued
in December 2016.See a summary of permits issued by Wards below:
Wards
1-8
284 licenses were issued in January 2017. See a summary of permits issued by Wards below:
Wards
1-8
375
licenses were issued
in February 2017. See a summary of permits issued by Wards below:
Wards
1-8
401
licenses were issued
in March 2017. See a summary of permits issued by Wards below:
Wards
1-8
Vacant and Blighted Property Data
See a summary of total blighted, vacant and vacant lots by
Wards below for December 2016
–March 2017:
Wards
1-8
Zoning Determination Letters
Below see the Zoning Determination Letters from December 2016 – March 2017:
We'd love to hear from you! Let us know if there is anything you would like to see in future newsletters by completing our short survey.
If you have any questions regarding this newsletter, please email DCRACommTeam@dc.gov.
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