March 2025 Edition
Dear Customers,
As we welcome Spring, Team DOB is excited to share the many ways we’re continuing to serve District residents, businesses, and communities with transparency and collaboration.
In March, we proudly introduced Fast Track Fit Outs during the annual March Madness event held by the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED). This new initiative streamlines the permitting process for eligible office renovations—cutting down review times and helping businesses open their doors faster.
We’ve also been busy connecting with the community. From launching our first-ever Landlord Roundtable to engaging with seniors at the Hattie Holmes Wellness Center, DOB remains committed to meeting our customers where they are and equipping them with the tools to stay safe and informed. I was especially proud to join political and community leaders for a walkthrough in Ward 6, where we explored ways to activate vacant spaces and bring new life to our neighborhoods.
DOB is also making positive strides in customer service. This month, we rolled out new tools—AskHumans and Agent Assist—to help improve how we hear from you and how quickly we respond to your concerns.
As always, thank you for your continued partnership. Whether you’re planning a home renovation, opening a business, or attending a community event, know that we’re here to help.
Onward,
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 Brian J. Hanlon, AIA LEED AP®
Director
DOB unveiled its new Fast Track Fit Out program during DMPED's annual March Madness event. This streamlined plan review process is designed to expedite permits for non-structural office renovations, targeting approvals in 30 business days or less. By providing clear guidance and resources upfront, DOB aims to reduce review cycles and help businesses get up and running faster.
DOB Hosts First-Ever Landlord Roundtable
Earlier this month, DOB hosted its first-ever Landlord Roundtable, bringing together a group of property owners for an open and engaging conversation about building safety, housing code compliance, and the many resources available to help them navigate property maintenance.
A key takeaway? Most landlords want to do the right thing, but aren't always sure where to begin. That's where DOB steps in. During the roundtable, attendees learned how to proactively maintain safe and compliant properties, navigate fine resolution, and work directly with DOB to address issues before they escalate.
This roundtable is just the beginning. We're committed to continuing the conversation, expanding outreach, and making sure all landlords have access to the tools they need to succeed.
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Connecting with Seniors
DOB believes that access to clear, reliable information empowers our communities, especially our seniors. We recently hosted our second Senior Informational Session at the Hattie Holmes Wellness Center in Ward 4
This session continued our mission to connect directly with residents, sharing helpful information on housing safety, property maintenance, and the permitting process. It was also an opportunity to listen, engage, and offer personalized guidance, on how DOB can help seniors safely maintain and improve their homes.
A heartfelt thank you to the Ward 4 residents who attended, asked questions, and made this event a success. If you or someone you know could benefit from this type of support, click below to learn more.
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DOB Joins Multi-Agency Nightlife Task Force Roundtable
As part of our ongoing commitment to community engagement and interagency collaboration, DOB participated in the Multi-Agency Nightlife Task Force Roundtable hosted by the Mayor's Office of Nightlife and Culture at the Lincoln Theatre in Ward 1.
DOB Chief Building Official Nicole Rogers shared how the agency supports the District's vibrant nightlife economy while ensuring public safety. She highlighted DOB's role in permitting, inspections, and building code enforcement—all of which help nightlife venues open, operate, and thrive safely and sustainably.
The roundtable was a valuable opportunity to collaborate with community members, business owners, and other District agencies to ensure DC’s nightlife continues to flourish—responsibly and successfully.
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Team DOB Joins Ward 6 Community Partners for Walkthrough
Director Hanlon and Team DOB had the pleasure of partnering with Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen, Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners, and residents for a community walkthrough of the H Street NE corridor, focusing on identifying vacant properties and exploring ways to activate them for community and business use.
The walkthrough highlighted both challenges and opportunities, including vacant storefronts ready for revitalization, and even a few businesses preparing to open their doors. A key resource spotlighted was DOB’s Pop-Up Permit Program, which streamlines the process for temporarily using vacant buildings, helping turn empty spaces into vibrant community assets.
Together, we're identifying possibilities to restore vacant spaces into vibrant, creative uses of space across the District.
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Discussing Elevator Safety with the Office of the Tenant Advocate (OTA)
DOB’s Elevator Code Compliance Specialist Paul Zweig recently joined the Office of the Tenant Advocate (OTA) for an important conversation on elevator safety and tenants’ rights.
This discussion focused on what residents should know about building owners’ responsibility for elevator operation, how to report issues, and the role DOB plays in inspecting properties for housing code compliance. It’s part of our ongoing effort to keep residents informed, empowered, and safe in their homes.
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The nice spring weather might have you thinking about home renovation projects, and DOB offers a range of resources to support homeowners. Check out the options below to help with beautifying your home this season:
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Homeowner’s Center: Get personalized help navigating the permitting process for common residential projects like decks, fences, and window replacements.
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Postcard Permits: Tackle small repairs or simple replacements with this streamlined, fully online permit option—no office visit needed.
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Alteration and Repair Permits: Planning a more complex renovation? Review what’s required to get your plans approved, from floor plans to cost estimates.
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Online Resources: From the Permit Wizard and ProjectDox to virtual appointments, explore tools to make the renovation process easier than ever.
Spruce up your space with confidence this season—DOB is here to help every step of the way!
DOB is excited to introduce two new artificial intelligence (AI)-powered tools designed to enhance the customer experience: AskHumans and Agent Assist.
AskHumans is a voice-based platform that allows customers to share feedback about DOB services in multiple languages, including English, Amharic, Chinese, French, Korean, Spanish, and Vietnamese. The platform uses AI to analyze responses in real-time, helping DOB identify trends and make informed service improvements.
Agent Assist supports DOB staff by summarizing customer inquiries and generating helpful responses for faster, more efficient communication via email, chat, and social media.
These tools are part of DOB’s ongoing efforts to deliver faster, smarter, and more responsive service to residents, businesses, and visitors across the District.
 Join us at Catholic University for the 2025 Healthy Homes Fair, a free, family-friendly event dedicated to creating safer, healthier, and more resilient homes in the District. Discover how building electrification can enhance indoor air quality, increase energy efficiency, and promote a cleaner DC.
Reserve your free tickets now and don’t miss your chance to learn, connect, and even win great giveaways—just in time for Mother’s Day!
- In case you missed it, the Customer Service Center has temporarily moved from the second floor to the sixth floor (Suite E630) at 1100 4th Street SW. Services from DOB, the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection, and the District Department of Transportation will continue without interruption.
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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 at 202.671.3500, and we will get back to you in three business days or less. Â
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DOB's updated Customer Service hours are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Â
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If you want to report illegal construction, vacant property concerns, or property maintenance issues after hours, you can always report them via DC311. You can call 311 at any time day or night. You also can visit the online portal at 311.dc.gov. Â
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If you live in a residential zone and plan to work on your home, please get in touch with DOB to ensure your proposed work is properly permitted under District law. This especially applies to larger projects that you are considering. DOB wants to ensure all involved parties are on the same page regarding District regulations to ensure safety for all. Â
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