November 2025 Edition
Dear Customers,
As we enter the holiday season, I want to extend my sincere appreciation to the residents, partners, and industry professionals who work with us throughout the year. Your collaboration helps us keep the District safe, green, and moving, and we are thankful for your continued trust in DOB.Â
This month brings meaningful updates for our agency. Mayor Bowser recently appointed me as the RFK Project Executive, entrusting me with day-to-day leadership of redeveloping the 180-acre RFK Campus, one of the most significant projects in the city’s history. This role expands my work on behalf of the District, as I guide coordination across federal partners, community stakeholders, and the Commanders organization. At the same time, I remain fully committed to leading DOB and supporting the customers, stakeholders, and communities we serve every day.
This newsletter will also share information on the critical enforcement role that DOB plays in housing code compliance, recent joint enforcement actions with the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) to protect consumers and upholding licensing standards, and our recruitment for two Attorney Advisors.Â
Thank you for being a valued part of the work that we do. Your engagement makes this agency and our city better, and I look forward to continuing this important progress with you. Have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!Â
Onward,
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 Brian J. Hanlon, AIA LEED AP®
Director
As we enter the Thanksgiving holiday, DOB extends our sincere gratitude to the residents, partners, builders, and community organizations we serve. Thank you for your continued collaboration in helping keep the District safe, green, and moving!Â
Please note that DOB will be closed in observance of Thanksgiving Day on Thursday and Friday, November 27 and 28.Â
No construction activity will be allowed on Thanksgiving Day, November 27; activity resumes on Friday, November 28. DOB offers a wide range of online services, tools, and resources so customers can conduct business 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Please visit dob.dc.gov for more information.Â
From all of us at DOB, we wish you and your loved ones a safe and Happy Thanksgiving.Â
In his first public engagement as RFK Project Executive, on November 19, Director Hanlon participated in a community meeting that kicked off processes for the RFK campus related to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). More than 200 residents attended the event, which was co-hosted by the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development and the National Park Service. In his welcoming remarks, Director Hanlon underscored the historic nature of the redevelopment and the opportunity ahead for the District.
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“We are participating in history this evening. The RFK Campus Development project is the most transformational project to happen in this city since its founding,” he said. “It is One of One.”Â
He emphasized that while the entire campus is 180 acres, the stadium is less than 10% of that — leaving room for transformative development such as housing, recreation, entertainment, parks, and open spaces. It will also generate thousands of construction jobs, work for certified business enterprises, and more than $5 billion in tax revenue. He noted that the partnership between the community, the Commanders, the District and federal governments, and various private sector organizations is crucial to make this dream a reality by 2030.Â
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 Photo Credit: The Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia
DOB plays a critical role in holding property owners accountable for providing safe housing, and a great example can be found in a November 10 press release by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) announcing the largest judgment ever against a DC property owner, and one of the largest housing conditions judgments against a landlord in U.S. history.Â
OAG won a $41 million judgment against the former owners of Marbury Plaza (now re-named Langston Views) in Ward 8, MP PPH LLC, and Dr. Anthony Pilavas for neglecting the complex’s safety and habitability, defying a court order to fix dangerous conditions, and risking the lives of more than 2,500 tenants by forcing them to live with chronic water leaks, widespread mold, and a lack of air conditioning, heat, and hot water. Â
DOB provided inspection documentation as evidence in support of the Attorney General’s suit and worked with the receiver and new owner brought on board to rehabilitate the property. Â
“Ensuring that District tenants have safe, hospitable, and livable housing requires punching hard against the minority of landlords who are not fulfilling their duties to tenants in good faith,” said Director Hanlon. “DOB appreciates this result and stands ready to work with property owners who want to come into compliance.”Â
DOB’s Office of Strategic Code Enforcement recently worked with DLCP on two cases involving licensed professionals who misused permits or submitted fraudulent documents. These joint efforts helped protect District residents and uphold the integrity of construction and licensing processes.Â
In the first case, an architect altered DOB permit documents and payment confirmations to overcharge a client. Following investigations by both agencies, the DLCP Board of Architecture suspended the architect’s license for six months, issued a formal reprimand, required completion of an ethics course, and applied fines.Â
In the second case, a licensed trades professional used fraudulent architectural stamps and performed work beyond what was allowed under issued permits. After DOB and DLCP reviewed the case, the Board of Industrial Trades issued a $1,000 violation, a two-year probation, and additional consumer protection fines.Â
These outcomes reflect ongoing collaboration between DOB and DLCP to ensure licensed professionals follow District laws and that residents receive safe, honest, and compliant service.Â
Interested in tackling complex legal challenges that help move the District’s built environment forward? DOB is seeking two experienced Attorney Advisors to join our Office of the General Counsel. These attorneys will provide legal advice and representation on housing and building code enforcement, permitting, zoning, and other critical regulatory matters that support safe and resilient development across the District.Â
Qualified applicants must hold a J.D. or LL.B. from an ABA-accredited law school and have at least two years of post-J.D. legal experience (five years preferred).Â
Apply now at careers.dc.gov. Search for Job ID: 30902. The application deadline is Saturday, November 29, 2025.Â
DOB’s Strategic Code Enforcement Administrator Keith Parsons will testify before the Council of the District of Columbia’s Committee of the Whole on Friday, December 5, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. The hearing will focus on housing code enforcement, ongoing challenges, and progress made to improve safety and habitability across the District.Â
Those interested are encouraged to tune in or participate through testimony.Â
DOB is readjusting the launch date of its new Instant Permit program to early 2026, which will more closely align with customers’ spring project planning. The program will make it faster and easier for homeowners of one-and two-family dwellings to complete many small renovation projects and will add most residential solar installations, which will have a lower permit fee of $250! Â
DOB will provide an update when the program launches. Until then, customers should continue to use DOB’s Postcard Permit program.Â
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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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