March 2023 Edition
Dear DOB Customers,
The work of DC Department of Buildings (DOB) is accomplished by a skilled and dedicated team of professionals who constantly strive to better serve our customers. We recognize the impact that our work has on our customers' lives, and are laser focused on how we can continue to improve how we deliver our services to you.
As part of that, I testified earlier this week before the Committee of the Whole of the District of Columbia Council, presenting the agency’s request for funding for Fiscal Year 2024, included as part of Mayor Muriel Bowser's #FairShot Budget. As a whole, the District budget includes $1.35 billion in investment in operations and infrastructure so that we as a government can continue to provide essential services, continue investing in residents and businesses, improve core government services and improved customer service – all driven by guided values for our city and driving our post-COVID comeback. Specific to DOB, our request for funding includes $62.2 million which will ensure that DOB can meet its Key Performance Indicators, deliver on our Agency Performance Plan, and complete our Strategic Initiatives allowing us to continue fulfilling our core mission to protect the safety of residents, businesses, and visitors and advance the development of the built environment.
While we will continue honing our service delivery, there is one visible change that will soon come to our agency. I have notified Mayor Bowser about my intention to depart DOB, and the search for a new Director is underway. As our work is accomplished by so much more than one person at the top of an organizational chart, I want to thank my team for their dedication to the District, and for the effort that they bring to work each day in service to the residents, businesses and visitors of our city. To our customers, it has been my pleasure to advocate for you by innovating and implementing new ways of providing government services, and I thank you for continuing to hold our agency accountable to our mission, and for the opportunity to serve. Serving at the pleasure of the Mayor in this role has been a rewarding experience that I will always value.
Stay safe.
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 Ernest Chrappah
Acting Director
In November 2018, under our predecessor agency, we set out to innovate our work, and provide greater access to digital tools and resources so that all DC residents could find solutions quickly and effortlessly. When we undertook our Vision 2020: Roadmap to Digital Transformation campaign, no one could foresee the challenges that lay ahead. With the pandemic, our path forward became the norm as we pivoted to evolve from an in-person government agency with paper processes, to an online service provider that made our services available readily, and at our customers' convenience within 48 hours. Had we not been ready for the challenges, like much of the country and of government, we would have been crippled and our customers, and our city, would have been harmed. But we had a vision...
On October 1, 2021 when the Department of Buildings Establishment Act of 2020 that established DOB took effect, our team was already embracing a great deal of change in order to improve how we serve our customers. But we had a vision...
Under the leadership of Mayor Bowser, we successfully stood up two brand-new agencies, and now, with a change in leadership, we know that even more change will come. We have a vision...
We have relentlessly innovated when compared to other agencies, not just in the District, but across different jurisdictions in the country. We work differently, and our product matters. In short order, we have transformed how we work, and how our customers benefit from our service delivery, because ... we have a vision.
That vision serves us well. Together, with our customers and stakeholders, we have:
- Sped up the permitting process with the Permit Wizard;
- Modernized construction inspections and increased oversight with Tertius;
- Reduced friction associated with getting an inspection by implementing Dispatch;
- Expanded economic opportunities for residents by implementing the Resident Inspector Program;
- Empowered customers to be more informed with the launch of our Contractor Rating System;
- Increased the transparency of publicly available information through Scout and our Public Dashboard; and
- Improved customer satisfaction ratings three-fold by implementing a new Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system and process.
As an agency, our vision allows us to innovate, embrace technology and invest in people, so that we can continue to equip you with the tools and information necessary to advance the built environment, and through that have a healthier, safer District of Columbia.
 We are pleased to announce the expansion of the DOB Vacant-to-Visual Program into the metaverse by adding new local artists, launching a collection of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) to support such artists, and announcing a call to property owners to submit their buildings to be included in the program.
Through the Vacant-to-Visual Program, local and regional artists of color transform vacant and blighted buildings into artwork. Original art and vibrant colored designs are used to beautify each property, with the goal to attract investment into neighborhoods, reduce eyesores, and make buildings safer. Residents are encouraged to use the murals as inspiration to bring more color and liveliness to their own properties, thereby enriching the unique flavor of their neighborhood and beautifying the District of Columbia.
 Current properties in the program can be found in four wards, with potentially eight or more properties to be announced in the coming weeks.
Support Local Artists: Purchase NFTs Beginning April 4, 2023
The NFTs will be made available for sale beginning on April 4, 2023, with proceeds going to benefit the artists. The minting of the NFTs is made possible through a public-private partnership between DOB, the Arena Social Arts Club, and DMA United. The Arena Social Arts Club is a District-based 501(c)(3) non-profit arts organization whose mission is to highlight Black artists and curators and to showcase visual, performing and literary arts in a multi-functional, community space that aims to advance the importance of cultural arts through events and genuine engagement. DMA United is an advertising and representation agency that provides branding, creative and business development services. It is the developer of the CityKey platform, which provides dynamic access to cities, their art and their experiences, and through which sales will be made.
Owners: Submit Your Blighted Properties For Consideration
DOB is seeking property owners of blighted properties to participate in the program across the District’s eight Wards, now or in the next fiscal year.
This is an opportunity for owners seeking to return their properties to productive use to begin the process. If an owner of a property with a blighted status participates in the program, steps will be taken to beautify the property and help will be provided to remediate the blight conditions, and reduce the property tax penalty.
Strong enforcement of regulations is essential for protecting the public interest. DOB plays a crucial role in ensuring that businesses and individuals comply with regulations that are designed to protect public health, safety, and the environment, but we don’t do it alone.
Through collaboration with other District authorities including, but not limited to the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH), Real Property Tax Appeals Commission (RPTAC), and Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP), DOB is committed to the difficult work of achieving compliance to District law for the safety and security of residents, businesses, and visitors.
How DOB Can Help: Residential Inspection
DOB wants to ensure your building and your unit is healthy and safe. One of the best ways we can accomplish this is through tenants feeling empowered to report any suspected housing violations. District law requires landlords to provide apartments that are in safe, habitable, and livable condition. The landlord has a duty to make all repairs necessary to make buildings and apartments habitable. DC law also requires landlords to maintain buildings and apartments according to many established standards. For more information, check out the DC Housing Code Standards.
Residents may request property maintenance inspections by using the
service selector on the homepage of dob.dc.gov or through our Housing Inspection and Property Maintenance Request Form. If your inspection is being requested due to an emergency, DOB will dispatch an inspector within one day. For all non-emergency inspections, scheduling will take place in the order that requests are received. For any emergency or routine issues that are found in the initial inspection, a follow-up inspection will take place to ensure that any issues were abated properly. Property owners must abate emergency violations within 24 hours, and have up to 60 days to abate any further non-emergency violations. For more information, please visit our Inspection Resources page.
How DOB Can Help: Illegal Construction
Any construction in the District of Columbia without required building permits is illegal. Illegal construction is a public danger that can hurt people and property.
If you see illegal construction activity in the District, please report it by submitting an Illegal Construction Inspection Request Form or by visiting the District's 311 portal at 311.dc.gov, calling 311, using the mobile 311 app, texting DC311, or by tweeting @DC311. Provide the address and describe the illegal construction, and DOB will schedule an inspection to investigate.
Construction in the District of Columbia is allowed Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. without any special permits. Customers must apply for an afterhours permit to work beyond these legal construction hours. A full list of no construction holidays can be found here. If you believe work is being done after legal hours without a permit, please report it to DOB via our Illegal Construction Inspection Request Form. Feel free to visit our website to learn more about our efforts to counter Illegal Construction.
 As winter comes to an end, spring brings the perfect opportunity to give your home and property some much-needed attention. Winter can be harsh on your property, which means it is important to do appropriate levels of maintenance so that everything is working smoothly for the warmer months ahead.
Regular maintenance is crucial to keeping your home in good condition and avoiding expensive repairs down the line. Some of the reasons why spring maintenance is important include:
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Preventing Damage: Winter weather can cause damage to your home. By inspecting your property in the spring, you can identify any damage and repair it before it becomes a bigger problem.
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Saving Money: Regular maintenance can help you save money in the long run by identifying and addressing smaller issues before they become serious ones.
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Improving Energy Efficiency: If you have not already, spring is a great time to check your windows and doors for leaks and drafts. Sealing these areas can improve your home's energy efficiency and help you save on your energy bills.
Here are some essential tasks that you should consider when doing spring maintenance on your property:
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Inspect Your Roof: Check for any damage or leaks in your roof. If you notice any issues, have a professional inspect and repair them.
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Clean Your Gutters: Clear out any debris from your gutters to ensure that they are functioning correctly and directing water away from your home.
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Check Your HVAC System: Schedule a professional to inspect and service your heating and cooling systems to ensure they are running efficiently.
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Inspect Your Plumbing: Check for leaks and damage in your plumbing system, including your water heater, pipes, and faucets.
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Check Your Windows and Doors: Check for leaks and drafts around your windows and doors. Sealing these areas can help improve your home's energy efficiency.
If you need to hire licensed professionals to conduct this work, DOB's Contractor Rating System was designed to help you find the best professional for your project. Through this system, consumers can hire experienced, licensed professionals with proven track records, thus preventing the pain and hassle of dealing with a bad contractor.
Spring maintenance is essential for keeping your property in good condition and avoiding costly repairs. By following these tips, you can ensure that your home is ready for the warmer months ahead.
Contact DOB via email at dob@dc.gov, through our online inquiry form or during normal business hours using the live chat available on dob.dc.gov or by phone at 202.671.3500, and we will get back to you in three business days or less.
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