June 2026 Edition
At DOB, there are no lazy days of summer; this season is all about progress. Construction projects move forward, neighborhoods come alive, and residents take on everything from home improvements to new business ventures. Throughout it all, DOB remains committed to keeping the built environment safe, green, and moving.
This month, we’re launching a new chapter in the future of DC’s construction codes with the start of our Construction Code Development Listening Sessions. I encourage you to attend and share your feedback as DOB helps shape the next generation of building code regulations for the District.
Now that outdoor dining is in full swing I’m pleased to announce that streateries have been added to our Instant Permits program! Coupled with recent program expansions of residential solar installations and window replacements, this shows we’re finding new ways to streamline permitting while maintaining the high standards that protect our communities.
A new lawsuit brought by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) against the owners of two apartment buildings in Ward 4 demonstrates how we continue to leverage our partnership to hold landlords accountable for poor housing conditions. To view our efforts over a longer timeframe, I encourage you to explore our Fiscal Year 2025 Annual Enforcement Report, which reflects Team DOB’s commitment to accountability, transparency, and customer service. It also highlights the progress we’ve made to strengthen enforcement and protect residents, businesses, and visitors across all eight wards.
Thank you for staying engaged with DOB and for partnering with us to build a stronger, safer District. I hope you have a wonderful summer, and I look forward to continuing our work together in the months ahead.
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 Brian J. Hanlon, AIA LEED AP®
Director
The future of DC’s construction codes is being written, and we want to hear from you.
As the District’s new lead agency for construction code development, DOB is guiding the next generation of regulations to better reflect today’s safety standards, emerging technologies, energy efficiency goals, and the needs of our growing city. Through a series of virtual public listening sessions, residents, property owners, contractors, architects, engineers, developers, and other stakeholders are invited to share their experiences and help shape future code updates.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our first listening session on June 25, covering property maintenance, swimming pool, and spa codes. The conversation continues on Thursday, July 9, with a discussion focused on building and existing building codes. Whether you work in the industry or simply want to help shape the future of the built environment in the District, your perspective matters.
Learn more, and view the full listening session schedule.
The report highlights how DOB responded to more than 24,000 inspection requests, identified more than 41,000 code violations, expanded proactive enforcement efforts, strengthened partnerships with sister agencies, and advanced innovative approaches to improve customer service and accountability. It also provides year-over-year performance trends and insights into complaints, violations, abatements, collections, and enforcement outcomes.
The report shows how Team DOB is working every day to create a safer built environment for residents, businesses, and visitors.
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Getting a building permit for eligible small-scope projects is becoming even faster and easier, now that DOB has expanded its Instant Permits program—which allows you to get building permits online with the click of a button—to include DC-approved streateries.
To be eligible for an Instant Permit for their outdoor dining structures, streateries must first have a DC Department of Transportation (DDOT) public space permit, and DOB must have approved it in DDOT’s online permitting system.
This new feature builds upon the list of eligible Instant Permits projects, which was expanded in early 2026 to include most residential solar panel installations (up to 15 kilowatts) and the in-kind replacement of up to 15 windows, making it easier for homeowners to complete energy-efficient and home improvement projects.
Visit the Instant Permits webpage to learn more about eligible projects, application requirements, and how you can apply online in just a few simple steps. Or email dob.permits@dc.gov for additional information.
 Photo Credit: The Office of the Attorney General for the Distict of Columbia - Brian Schwalb
DOB continues to work alongside the OAG to protect tenants and hold property owners accountable when they fail to provide safe housing.
In a recently filed lawsuit, Attorney General Brian Schwalb alleges that the owners and managers of 1355 Peabody Street NW and 6000 13th Street NW (in the Brightwood neighborhood of Ward 4) allowed dangerous housing conditions to persist while retaliating against tenants who advocated for repairs. The complaint follows extensive inspections and enforcement efforts by DOB, which documented numerous housing code violations at the properties. As Director Hanlon said: “This case shows that retaliating against tenants for reporting poor housing conditions to our agency, or exercising any other lawful right, is illegal in the District, and we will work with our agency partners like OAG to keep that from happening.”
Together, DOB and OAG are working to ensure landlords meet their legal responsibilities and that District residents have safe, healthy places to call home.
 Photo Credit: Graham Reid via Greater Greater Washington
What do construction codes have to do with safer buildings, more housing, sustainability, and the future of the District? Quite a bit.
In the latest installment of the Building Connections column for Greater Greater Washington, DOB Strategic Enforcement Administrator Keith Parsons explores how the District is preparing to adopt 2024 construction codes, why the process matters, and how residents, industry professionals, and community members can help shape the next generation of DC’s building regulations.
Whether you’re a homeowner, contractor, architect, developer, or simply interested in how the built environment evolves, this is a great opportunity to learn more about the code development process.
Inspiring the Next Generation at Raymond Elementary
DOB Community Affairs Liaisons Porchia Foreman (Ward 4) and Hazle Crawford (Ward 5) recently participated in Career Day at Raymond Elementary in Ward 4, where they introduced students to the many ways DOB helps keep the District safe, green, and moving.
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From building safety and inspections to customer service and community engagement, Raymond students had a blast learning about the important work Team DOB does every day, and the career paths that help build stronger, safer communities.
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Team DOB Shares Inspection Oversight Best Practices
DOB’s Third-Party Program Manager Mayda Colón recently was a panelist on a national webinar sharing how the District is strengthening inspection oversight and modernizing permitting operations. Speaking to an audience of state and local government leaders, Colón highlighted improvements that have increased transparency, expanded participation among third-party inspection agencies, and created more consistent and accountable inspection processes.
By sharing lessons learned with jurisdictions across the country, Team DOB continues to showcase the District’s leadership in improving customer service, enhancing operational efficiency, and advancing innovative approaches to building safety.
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Built Environment Enforcement Working Group Meets to Advance Collaboration
On June 17, DOB’s Office of Strategic Code Enforcement hosted the latest meeting of the Built Environment Enforcement Working Group, where a significant milestone was shared: for the first time since the working group was established, all six enforcement workload measures tracked by the group increased year over year.
The working group brings together landlords, tenant advocates, ANCs, and other community stakeholders to discuss the current state of code enforcement in DC.
Attendees also received updates on DOB’s construction code modernization efforts, the recently released FY25 Enforcement Report, and implementation of the District’s new Vacant to Vibrant law.
The working group meets quarterly and is open to the public. If you are interested in participating, please email Keith Parsons at keith.parsons@dc.gov.
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Discussing Short-Term Rental Oversight with ANC 6D
On June 15, Team DOB joined the Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 6D monthly meeting to answer questions on the District’s oversight of Airbnb and other short-term rental properties, including licensing requirements and enforcement. DOB’s Keith Parsons participated in a panel discussion alongside the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection’s General Counsel April Randall and Chief Enforcement Officer Anisah Crosby.
Community conversations like these help residents better understand the District’s regulatory processes while strengthening collaboration between agencies and the neighborhoods they serve.
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Customers making online payments on District government platforms will soon have the option to pay using an electronic check (eCheck) in addition to debit or credit cards, now that DC is using a new online payment processor.
This change will occur after July 12, 2026, and will affect DOB platforms like the Citizen Access Portal, DOB Payment Portal, Wall Check, and Certifi. Note that eCheck customers paying from a commercial deposit account may be asked to provide DOB’s merchant identifier: 0000408976.
As DOB platforms roll out the update, downtime for maintenance is being scheduled between 6:00 p.m., Friday, July 9, 2026, through Sunday July 12, 2026, at 9:00 p.m.
Thanks for your support as we continue to find ways to improve the customer service experience. For questions, please contact dob@dc.gov.
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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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