June 2025 Edition
Dear Customers,
At DOB, we believe strong communities start with safe, healthy homes—and that begins with access, accountability, and education. This month’s newsletter reflects those values in action.
From launching new content on our Tenant Resources page to hosting landlord roundtables and advancing targeted enforcement efforts, we’re focused on protecting residents while supporting responsible property ownership. We’ve also continued to show up in neighborhoods across the District—listening, collaborating, and sharing how DOB’s work aligns with Mayor Bowser’s GrowDC FY26 Budget and broader housing code priorities.
You’ll also find updates on our proactive inspection program, recent housing enforcement actions, and community dialogue on how our Pop-Up Permit program helped an arts program find a home in Ward 6. Together, these efforts show how DOB is helping to move the District forward—one home, one building, one neighborhood at a time.
Thank you for reading and for being part of the progress.
Onward,
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 Brian J. Hanlon, AIA LEED AP®
Director
On May 29, Director Brian Hanlon testified before the DC Council’s Committee of the Whole on the agency’s initiatives in Mayor Bowser’s Grow DC Fiscal Year 2026 budget. During the hearing, the Director highlighted DOB’s efforts to keep the built environment safe, green, and moving despite a tight fiscal environment.
He also shared progress on key initiatives such as DOB’s Pop-Up Permits (PUPs) Program, Concept Review program, and nuisance property abatements, and emphasized the agency’s role in supporting the District’s economic growth and DC Comeback priorities.
Key DOB investments in the FY26 budget include:
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$1.8 million for DOB’s nuisance abatement fund to tackle residential code violations.
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Funding to modernize DOB’s eRecords system for better customer access and transparency.
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Ongoing efforts to streamline permitting, support commercial-to-residential conversions, and revitalize vacant properties across DC.
Click the link below to watch the hearing in its entirety.
Advancing the Growth Agenda: Director Hanlon Meets with ANCs
This month, Director Hanlon joined residents and commissioners at Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 5D and 3F meetings to present and discuss Mayor Bowser’s Grow DC FY26 Budget. He shared how the proposed investments will support the District’s economic resilience and enhance DOB’s work to keep the city safe, sustainable, and moving forward.
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Director Hanlon highlighted several initiatives aligned with the growth agenda, including investing in housing and economic development, improving transportation and the environment, and dedicating dollars to places where community happens. He also shared investments specific to Ward 3 and Ward 5.
From neighborhood safety to building code enforcement, DOB remains committed to helping implement the Mayor’s vision for a stronger, more connected District.
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How Pop Up Permits Turned Vacant Space into Vibrant Place for the Theater Alliance in Ward 6
Earlier this month, Director Brian Hanlon and Deputy Director Shilpa Khatri joined community leaders to celebrate the transformation of a vacant commercial space in Ward 6 into a permanent arts venue, made possible by DOB’s PUPs Program.
The event hosted in partnership with the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, Theater Alliance, and Hoffman & Associates, spotlighted how streamlined permitting and creative partnerships can reimagine unused spaces as community hubs. What started as a temporary solution is evolving into a permanent home for the arts.
This is just one example of how DOB is supporting a more dynamic and culturally rich District through initiatives that make it easier to bring meaningful uses to underutilized spaces.
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Landlord Roundtable Returns to Engage Ward 1 Property Owners
On June 25, DOB hosted its second Landlord Roundtable at Shaw Library in Ward 1. The event brought together local property owners, housing advocates, and agency staff to share resources, discuss code compliance, and build stronger landlord-tenant relationships.
As part of our ongoing series, the roundtable supports Mayor Bowser’s efforts to create safer, healthier housing across all eight wards through education, transparency, and collaboration. Thank you to all who attended!
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DOB has launched new online publications to help residents better understand their rights and responsibilities. The Tenant Resources page now includes information tailored for seniors, renters, and anyone navigating legal issues related to housing conditions or code violations.
Whether you’re looking to report a concern, learn about landlord obligations, or access city services, this page is designed to support and empower DC residents.
DOB has released its After-Action Report on the partial collapse that occurred at 1111 V Street NW in December 2024. The report outlines several contributing factors such as over-excavation and improper sequencing and details the immediate actions DOB has taken to stabilize the site and strengthen inspection protocols across the District.
This report reflects DOB’s continued commitment to safety, transparency, and systemic improvement.
 The Building Connections miniseries with Greater Greater Washington concludes with a look at DOB’s proactive inspection program—an approach that goes beyond complaints to identify and address hazards before they escalate.
In this final piece, Strategic Enforcement Administrator Keith Parsons explains how proactive inspections help safeguard tenants, support accountability among property owners, and create healthier housing across DC.
Last month, DOB launched a coordinated inspection initiative focused on improving conditions at residential properties with persistent housing code violations. The multi-day effort resulted in more than 2,000 Notices of Infraction and more than $2 million in penalties.
This action reflects DOB’s continued commitment to protecting tenants, raising housing standards, and holding property owners accountable, while also supporting those willing to work toward compliance.
See news coverage here.
Do you want to upgrade your home to electric, but don’t know where to start? Do you want to improve your home’s efficiency, decrease energy bills, reduce health risks from gas appliances, and take advantage of rebates and incentives? Join a virtual group coaching session or visit your neighbor to see how they’ve electrified their home and to ask all of your questions. Events started this month and will continue through the summer in person and virtually. Sign up now to get started on your electrification journey!
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DOB’s top priority is to ensure landlords obey DC law to provide safe and habitable properties for their tenants. Following is a reminder about air conditioning (AC) standards.
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Is AC Required: Landlords are not required to offer AC.
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Minimum Temperature for Buildings with AC: Either 78° F or at least 15° F less than the outside temperature, whichever is greater.
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Timeframe: The AC time period is between May 15 and September 15. If your building uses the same system to both heat and cool the property—sometimes called a “two-pipe system”—the landlord gets 15 additional days to change over, and must cool between June 1 and September 15. These are minimum rules; nothing stops a landlord from starting a cooling period earlier.
Any construction in the District without required building permits is illegal. Illegal construction is a public danger; it can hurt people and property. Also, construction work is not allowed on federal and District Government holidays.
If you see illegal construction activity, please report it by submitting an Illegal Construction Inspection Request Form or call 311.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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