February 2026 Edition
Dear Customers,
February has been a month that reflects both DOB’s daily work and long-term vision.
We’ve taken meaningful steps to make it easier for customers to navigate our processes— from launching Instant Permits for common home improvements to releasing new zoning and inspection resources that bring greater clarity to project planning. These improvements are about more than efficiency; they are about building trust and ensuring safety remains at the center of every project in the District.
At the same time, we continue to hold firm on accountability. Our Office of Strategic Code Enforcement’s work alongside the Office of the Attorney General underscores a simple principle: safe housing is not optional. Protecting residents and strengthening compliance will always be core to our mission. I want to thank our DOB staff for the years of diligent, detailed work that made this milestone possible. Their persistence and professionalism are what turn policy into real action for DC residents.
This month also marked important milestone in how we operate and plan for the future. With DOB now leading construction code development, we are streamlining how the District updates critical safety and energy standards. And during our FY26 Performance Oversight Hearing, we had the opportunity to reflect on progress made and the work still ahead.
Looking forward, the redevelopment of the RFK Campus represents what thoughtful planning and strong partnerships can achieve. Through continued community engagement and collaboration, we are helping shape a project that connects neighborhoods, activates public space, and reflects the character of Washington, DC.
As we close out Black History Month, we reflect on the trailblazers whose courage and contributions helped shape the District we serve today. Their legacy challenges us to lead with integrity, advance equity through our work, and ensure that every improvement we make delivers real impact for the communities who depend on us.
Thank you for your continued partnership. With your support, we will keep strengthening our services, deepening our community connections, and building a District that reflects both our shared values and our shared future.
Onward,
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 Brian J. Hanlon, AIA LEED AP®
Director
DOB has officially launched Instant Permits to make small residential projects faster and more convenient. Instant Permits provide same-day approval for eligible work, including solar panel installations of up to 15 kilowatts and replacing up to 15 windows.
What This Means for Homeowners
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Fast and Simple: Skip a full plan review – complete a short online application, submit payment, and receive your permit instantly once approved.
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Lower Cost: Most instant permits start at $36.30, and solar permits are just $250, reducing barriers to common home improvement projects.
This modernization effort helps homeowners (of most one- and two-family dwellings) move forward with improvements while maintaining safety and code compliance.
DOB Strategic Enforcement Administrator Keith Parsons joined Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb to announce a civil lawsuit against an alleged family-run housing empire accused of widespread housing code violations across more than 70 rent-controlled in Wards 7 and 8.
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The lawsuit is built on thousands of inspections, extensive documentation, and years of follow-up work by DOB inspectors and staff. While this legal action marks a significant milestone, DOB’s work is far from over. True accountability means ensuring these properties are restored to safe, habitable conditions for District residents.
DOB has been designated as the lead agency for construction code development in the District; a major organizational shift designed to streamline and accelerate updates to building and energy codes. In this role, DOB will fast-track the adoption of updated codes by the end of 2027, aligning the District with neighboring jurisdictions. As part of this transition, the Construction Codes Coordinating Board has sunset, and DOB extends its gratitude to its members for their years of dedicated service.
Additionally, effective January 2026, DOB staff were elected to leadership roles within the DC Code Officials Association (DCCOA), a chapter of the International Code Council (ICC). Strategic Enforcement Administrator Keith Parsons (President), Deputy Strategic Enforcement Administrator Mekdi Taddese (Secretary), and Peter Nyabagosi as the DOB Liaison.
On February 12, 2026, Director Hanlon discussed DOB’s Fiscal Year 2025 initiatives during its Performance Oversight Hearing before the DC Council Committee of the Whole. He was joined by Chief Building Official Nicole Rogers, Strategic Enforcement Administrator Keith Parsons, and Deputy Zoning Administrator Elisa Vitale.
Click here to watch the full hearing (Director Hanlon remarks at 6:49:50).
DOB is seeking a Civic Design Researcher to help shape how District residents, businesses, and employees experience our services. This role sits within the Office of the Director and leads efforts to advance empathetic, human-centered civic design across the agency.
The Civic Design Researcher will prototype, test, and refine service experiences; bring clarity and creativity to complex challenges; and collaborate closely with teams to deliver services that are accessible, intuitive, and responsive to community needs. This position plays a key role in strengthening the built environment by ensuring DOB services meet people where they are.
Ideal candidates bring a background in behavioral or social sciences, along with hands-on experience applying human‑centered design methods in public‑facing service environments.
Deadline to apply: Thursday, March 12, 2026 (JOB ID: 31649)
Momentum continues to build behind the transformation of the 187‑acre RFK Campus into a vibrant, mixed‑use destination that serves District residents year‑round.
In a recent interview with NBC4 Washington, RFK Project Executive Brian Hanlon highlighted how the redevelopment will prioritize human‑scale design, meaningful open space, and strong neighborhood connections, ensuring the campus becomes not just a stadium site, but a true community asset. You can watch the full conversation here.
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Director Hanlon also shared the vision for the RFK campus at these events:
February 11 roundtable by the American Institute of Architects’ DC Chapter
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In addition, DOB partnered with the DC Chamber of Commerce and nearly 10 government agencies for a February 24 RFK Business Access & Matchmaking Exchange, helping DC small businesses prepare for upcoming redevelopment opportunities at the
Photo Credit: Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection
Seeking an RKF Owner’s Representative
The RFK Campus Project Management Office (RFK PMO) is seeking an Owner’s Representative to manage day-to-day responsibilities for the RFK Campus, to include project and construction management, working with stakeholders, and developing graphic design. Apply by March 19.
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Celebrating the FY26 Green Book Launch
DOB was proud to join Mayor Muriel Bowser and the DC Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) at the launch of the FY26 Green Book, which sets a bold $1.5 billion spending goal with local businesses across the District. Director Hanlon attended the event in his capacity as RFK Project Executive, as this year’s Green Book has a dedicated section on RFK campus business opportunities.
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Community Affairs Meet & Greet
DOB’s new Community Affairs Liaisons recently hosted a Community Affairs Meet & Greet at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, bringing together ANC Commissioners and Councilmember staff from Wards 1, 2, and 5. Through open dialogue and relationship-building, the meet and greet reinforced DOB’s commitment to transparency, responsiveness, and collaboration in service of a growing built environment across the District.
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DOB continues to collaborate with sister agencies and community partners to help protect DC tenants. Most recently, DOB joined the Georgetown University Office of Neighborhood Life and the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) for the annual Basic Business License Inspection Blitz.
This initiative is critical in ensuring that off-campus students live in safe, habitable housing by verifying rental licenses and compliance with DC housing regulations.
Thanks to Isaac Ewketu (DOB), Paul Causwell (DLCP), our dedicated Housing Property Maintenance Inspectors, and Customer Affairs Liasons for leading this effort to strengthen tenant protections and promote safer living conditions across the city.
Looking forward to continuing this vital work in the future!
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DOB has new tools to make navigating zoning requirements and Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) inspections easier and more transparent for customers.
As a reminder, customers should use DOB’s commercial and residential project checklists for any construction permit application before submitting plans to reduce the need for multiple prescreen reviews, increase the chances of faster zoning approval, and minimize the number of overall review cycles.
As we close out Black History Month, DOB recognizes the legacy of Albert I. Cassell, a pioneering architect, educator, and planner whose work helped shape many DC neighborhoods we know today.
Cassell was a key designer of Howard University’s historic campus, blending classical architecture with thoughtful planning that reflected both permanence and possibility. His work extended to schools, churches, and civic buildings across the country, leaving a lasting imprint on educational and community spaces.
More than an architect, Cassell was a visionary who understood that buildings help shape opportunity, identity, and belonging. His contributions continue to inspire how we think about design, community, and the role of the built environment in advancing equity.
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Looking to make your home healthier, more efficient, and more affordable? The Healthy Homes Fair brings together residents, experts, and clean-energy partners for a free, interactive event focused on practical solutions that improve comfort and lower energy costs.
As a special feature, attendees can also participate in Power Shift: A Der Showcase, a focused session exploring how distributed energy resources (DERs) - like solar panels, batteries, and smart devices – can strengthen community power and increase energy affordability.
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Report illegal construction, vacant property, or property maintenance issues: Contact DC311 or 311.dc.gov.
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DOB Walk-in Customer Service Center Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
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Contact DOB: Email dob@dc.gov, online inquiry form or live chat at dob.dc.gov, or call 202.671.3500. We will get back to you in three business days or less.
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Need a permit?: If you are planning a residential or commercial project, visit our Permitting page to ensure your proposed work is properly permitted under District law.
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