Building Permits in Washington, DC

The DC Department of Buildings (DOB) administers construction permitting in the District.

Online Permit System

DOB directs one- and two-family residential projects to the Permit Wizard. Commercial projects and other listed categories use the Citizen Access Portal. ProjectDox is used for electronic plan submission/review, and Scout can be used to check application status.

Current Code Status

DOB announced a broad modernization of the District Construction Codes in June 2026. That announcement describes an update process; it should not be treated as proof that newer model-code editions are already effective. Use the currently effective District Construction Codes and supplements for the project date.

Permit Process

1. Identify the permit type and applicable zoning/code requirements.
2. Use the Permit Wizard or Citizen Access Portal as directed by DOB.
3. Upload plans/supporting documents when required.
4. Complete DOB and any sister-agency reviews.
5. Resolve corrections and pay assessed fees.
6. Obtain the permit before regulated work begins.
7. Complete required inspections and final/occupancy approvals.

Permit Exemptions

DOB publishes project-specific exemptions. For example, its current guidance lists certain one- and two-family retaining walls not over 4 feet, subject to the stated measurement and land-disturbance condition. Always check the full current exemption language before relying on it.

Fees, Timing, and Professionals

Fees depend on project cost and permit type. Some DOB programs publish specific service targets, but this guide does not generalize them to all permits. Design-professional and trade-license requirements depend on project type; for example, DOB states that commercial alteration spaces require plans stamped by a DC-licensed design professional.

Official Sources

Use DOB's current permitting, online-resource, and project-specific permit pages for the controlling procedure.