May 2026 Edition
As I celebrate my third year as DOB Director, I’m reflecting on how far we’ve come and how much more we’re working toward.
I’m so grateful for team DOB, which has been leaning hard to keep the built environment safe, to work to make it as green and sustainable as possible, and to keep things moving through customer service, communication, and collaboration with industry partners. I’m appreciative of you, our customers, for sharing the input, encouragement, and criticism that helps make us a better agency.
It’s fitting that my work anniversary occurs during Building Safety Month, where we have a unique opportunity to showcase DOB services. The month opened up with a proclamation by Mayor Bowser, and DOB continued to show up where it counts. We connected with residents, small businesses, and industry partners across the District and we joined national conversations on building innovation and code modernization. We presented DOB’s proposed FY27 budget before the DC Council, making the case for continued investment in faster permitting, stronger enforcement, and better customer service.
We also delivered results. Working alongside the Office of the Attorney General, DOB helped secure a $400,000 settlement that will fund critical repairs to an unsafe Ward 4 condominium building. That’s what accountability looks like in action.
And we kept building for the future. Building Safety Month may be ending, but our work on your behalf to keep the built environment safe, green, and moving continues.
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 Brian J. Hanlon, AIA LEED AP®
Director
Every May, Building Safety Month gives DOB the chance to celebrate what makes the District strong: the people, partnerships, and progress that keep our communities safe and resilient. Mayor Bowser kicked off the month by officially proclaiming May 2026 as Building Safety Month in the District, recognizing the importance of adaptive design, safe construction practices, and strong building codes.
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DOB also joined the International Code Council (ICC) at its Government Relations Building Safety Month Reception, where Director Hanlon delivered remarks and presented the Mayor’s official proclamation to ICC leadership. The evening brought special recognition, too, as the ICC honored Mayor Bowser with the President’s Vision Award for her leadership in modernizing the District's code development process. It was a fitting tribute to the work DOB continues to lead in building a safer, stronger DC.
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Building Safety Month brought special kudos to Director Hanlon, who was recognized with the 2026 Government Sector Award during the DC Building Industry Association’s 50th Anniversary Achievement Awards on Friday, May 15. This recognition reflects Director Hanlon’s continued leadership and commitment to building a safer, greener, and more resilient District. During the event, the organization presented a video with his personal reflections on the meaning of his work!
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Nearly 200 homeowners, tenants, and small business owners participated in person or virtually in two workshops designed to help them better navigate DOB services. During a May 19 Build with Confidence workshop, DOB experts explained to DC residents how proper permits and inspections keep homes safe, and the steps needed to ensure they are complying with the law.
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At the May 27 Helping Uplift Businesses (HUB) workshop, small business owners learned about the type of support the new HUB can provide, particularly in getting certificates of occupancy approved.
These types of workshops show DOB’s commitment to serving its customers, not just during Building Safety Month, but all year long!
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On May 6, Director Hanlon testified before DC Council’s Committee of the Whole at DOB’s FY27 Budget Oversight Hearing. He was joined by Strategic Enforcement Administrator Keith Parsons, Chief of Staff Alex Cross, and Agency Fiscal Officer Enyew Godie.
Director Hanlon and team walked the Council through what DOB has been working on: faster permitting, more consistent inspections and code enforcement, updated technology, and better support for residents and businesses. They also addressed the agency’s efforts to make development easier while keeping tenant protections and building safety in place.
The hearing was an opportunity for DOB to show how it works to support Mayor Bowser’s Grow DC vision, getting projects done safely and on time.
DOB and the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) secured a major win for District residents this month: a DC developer agreed to pay $400,000 to fund repairs to a structurally unsafe condominium building in Ward 4.
DOB inspections uncovered serious deficiencies at the property, including inadequate structural supports that caused the building to sway in high winds. DOB and the OAG pursued enforcement action, resulting in a settlement that will fund the structural repairs needed to bring the building into compliance with District building codes.
“This case is a clear example of why complying with the District’s building code regulations is critical to ensuring the public’s safety and welfare,” said Director Hanlon.
The case sends a strong message: DOB will work across agencies and use every tool available to hold developers accountable and keep residents safe.
Photo Credit: Office of the Attorney General
DOB Champions DC’s Next Chapter at Washington Building Congress Meeting
Director Hanlon joined the Washington Building Congress Board of Governors this month to discuss the projects and priorities shaping DC’s future, including the transformative redevelopment of the RFK Campus and major investments across the District’s built environment.
He made clear that DOB is more than a regulatory agency— it is a catalyst for economic growth. He highlighted how permitting, inspections, and code enforcement keep the DC safe, green, and moving, and spoke to emerging opportunities in mass timber construction, clean energy, and large-scale redevelopment.
The message was simple: DOB is ready to help build the DC of tomorrow.
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DOB Takes the National Stage on Building Innovation
Chief Building Official Nicole Rogers represented DOB at the National Institute of Building Sciences Building Innovation Conference, joining industry leaders from across the country to discuss the future of the built environment.
Rogers participated in a panel on building safety, innovation, and the evolving role of code officials in shaping more resilient communities, reinforcing DOB’s position as a national leader in modernized codes and safe construction practices.
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DOB Brings Enforcement Expertise to DC Land Title Association
Team DOB took the stage at the DC Land Title Association’s 2026 Spring Seminar this month, sharing practical updates on code enforcement, civil infractions, Certificates of Occupancy, and key legislative changes affecting DC’s real estate and development community.
Representatives from DOB’s strategic enforcement and building divisions covered topics ranging from liens and special assessments to the intersection of enforcement actions with the District's tax sale process, providing attendees with the tools to better navigate DOB’s processes.
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DOB Connects with Seniors at Arthritis Foundation Walk
On May 16, Customer Affairs Specialist Manager Mark-Anthony Tynes and Business Analyst Glenda Gudiel represented DOB at the Arthritis Foundation’s DC Walk to Cure Arthritis in Ward 6, connecting with seniors and community members during Older Americans Month.
At their outreach table, they answered questions on permits, inspections, and home safety, and distributed DOB-branded giveaways that were a hit with attendees. The event was a reminder of DOB’s role as a hands-on resource for residents navigating safe, accessible, code-compliant homes.
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Strategic Enforcement Administrator Keith Parsons joined representatives from the Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR) and the OAG this month for a community panel hosted by Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6A, tackling one of DC’s most persistent neighborhood challenges: vacant, blighted, and nuisance properties.
Parsons walked residents through DOB’s hands-on role, identifying problem properties, responding to community complaints, and coordinating enforcement actions and abatement to address unsafe conditions. The panel also shed light on how DOB, OTR, and OAG work in tandem to hold negligent property owners accountable and return neglected properties to productive use.
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DOB’s new inspections webpage is now live at inspections.dob.dc.gov and will serve as the primary destination for external inspections-related information moving forward.
The updated site streamlines access to inspection resources and information for residents, contractors, and industry professionals, helping customers more easily navigate scheduling and inspection services online. Existing webpages will continue to redirect users to the new platform as DOB works to modernize and improve the customer experience across its digital services.
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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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