DOB News | Taking Steps To Better Serve Our Customers

District of Columbia sent this bulletin at 07/31/2023 07:14 PM EDT

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August 2023 Edition

A Message From The Acting Director

Brian Hanlon

Dear Customers,

I am delighted to share a few important updates from the DC Department of Buildings (DOB) regarding our work to advance the District's built environment, and to ask for your assistance as stakeholders and customers who reside and do business here in our city.

In our pursuit of safety, we understand that transparency and clarity in our processes is important, and I am taking several steps to understand how we can improve. First, as I am closing out my first 60 days as Acting Director, I have been having many conversations with our staff, with stakeholders such as our Councilmembers, Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners, and with our sister agencies so that we can learn how to work better collaboratively. I have also been engaging directly with many customers so that I can learn more about their experiences with our agency, where pain points are, and what opportunities have potential to positively change how we work. As we go forward and into the next fiscal year, my outreach, and that of our agency, will increase and I look forward to engaging more closely with you. 

As to my request of you, we have included a short survey below. Please take a few moments to lend your voice to our discussion. While intended to support the Black Home Ownership Strike Force in its mission to increase black home ownership here in the District, this survey will provide additional insight into our permitting process here at DOB.

Also, as required by the Department of Buildings Establishment Act of 2020, which established our agency, DOB developed a Strategic Enforcement Plan for Fiscal Years 2023-2025. This comprehensive plan builds on the pillars of safety and accountability to indicate how we are streamlining our processes, issuing timely notices to address potential violations, and ensuring effective communication with tenants and property owners. To support the evolution of our enforcement action, we have also created a working group to identify ways to improve abatement of housing code violations and provide a swifter resolution of enforcement cases. Through these efforts, we strive to make us safer in our homes and in our businesses. 

Thank you for joining with us as we build a brighter and more secure future for all residents, businesses, and visitors of the District.

Onward,
Director Hanlon Signature

Brian J. Hanlon, AIA LEED AP®
Acting Director

Requesting Your Input In The District's Permitting Process

As one of the many agencies and entities involved in permitting, we recognize that the process is not easy nor intuitive. Here at DOB, through our Office of Construction and Building Standards, we review all construction documents to ensure compliance with building codes and have inspection and oversight authority, through which construction activity and building systems are inspected and permits closed out as projects are completed.

We want to hear your thoughts and are asking you to complete a short survey so that we can learn more about your experiences to obtain permits to repair or maintain your or your customers' homes.

Thank you in advance. 

Take the Survey

DOB's Strategic Enforcement Plan Will Inform Our Efforts To Promote A Safe Built Environment

Strategic Enforcement Plan Image

DOB's Office of Strategic Code Enforcement is responsible for code enforcement, civil infractions, and fine assessment. Enforcement is a key component of safety. Our efficient process offers landlords timely notice to address potential violations while tenants are informed throughout each stage of the enforcement process. 

As part of the Department of Buildings Establishment Act of 2020, DOB was required to create and submit a Strategic Enforcement Plan for Fiscal Years 2023-2025 to Mayor Bowser and the Council of the District of Columbia. This plan will shape DOB's operations in regards to enforcement over the next few fiscal years, and establishes priorities, identifies available and needed resources while integrating DOB’s enforcement functions.

Read The Plan

Contacting Our Agency

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.