Who enforces each one, what edition applies, and what changes next. 8 of 8 state-level topic areas checked against primary sources. Federal OSHA state.
| Area | In force | Authority | Next |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fire | DC Fire Code: 2017 DCMR 12H, based on the 2015 International Fire Code, part of the 2017 DC Construction Codes (effective May 29, 2020)DOB's 2017 DC Construction Codes page lists 12H Fire as based on the 2015 IFC, amended by DCMR Title 12; the set took effect May 29, 2020, with the Section 123 transitory provision for earlier permits. DOB's code-development page says all 12 categories, including Fire, are in the next update; a Fire listening session was held Sep 24, 2026. SourceChecked on the source | Dept of Buildings (DOB) adopts the code; FEMS Office of the Fire Marshal enforces and inspects | Rulemaking notice Fall 2026Next code cycle: DOB's Jun 8, 2026 release expects first proposed rules mid-to-late fall 2026 (45-day comment), second set summer 2027, final rules late 2027; no first notice posted as of the code-development page re-read Oct 21, 2026 (Fire listening session held Sep 24, 2026); editions not named |
| Building | 2017 DC Construction Codes (2015 ICC family + 2014 NEC + 2013 ASHRAE 90.1, DC-amended); DCMR Title 12DOB states the 2017 DC Construction Codes take effect May 29, 2020, built on 2015 ICC, 2014 NEC and 2013 ASHRAE 90.1 as amended in DCMR Title 12. Some earlier-filed permits may fall under prior editions (Sec. 123); Title 12 DCMR is the official text. SourceChecked on the source | DC Department of Buildings (DOB), district-wide | Rulemaking notice Fall 2026Next code cycle: DOB estimates a 1st Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in Fall 2026 (45-day comment) and final codes late 2027; listening sessions ended Sep 24, 2026; no notice posted as of the code-development page re-read Oct 22, 2026 |
| Elevators | DCMR 12A Sec. 3001 requires conveyances to be inspected and certified; certificates under Sec. 3009; ASME A17.1 edition not stated on the DOB pageSince Oct 1, 2025 DOB oversees conveyance inspection and certification (formerly DLCP licenses). DOB-approved third-party agency using an ASME QEI inspector; periodic inspection every 12 months, Category 5 every 60 months; certificate valid 2 years and posted (Sec. 3009.4.1, 3009.5). SourceChecked on the source | DC Department of Buildings (DOB) certifies; DOB-approved third-party elevator inspection agencies inspect | In forceIn force; DOB took over certification Oct 1, 2025 (page re-read Oct 20, 2026: certificate valid two years, periodic/Category 1 inspections yearly, Category 5 every 60 months; ASME edition not stated) |
| Boilers | DCMR Title 12, Ch.10E (Boilers, Water Heaters and Pressure Vessels) and Title 17, Ch.4 (Steam Engineers); DOB page names the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Sections I-XI, 2007 edition, as the enforced standardDOB boiler page (read Oct 15, 2026): boilers and unfired pressure vessels must be inspected at least once a year by DOB inspectors or boiler insurance companies licensed by the District; an annual Certificate of Inspection is issued to the owner for posting. Fees listed: $50 per boiler and per air compressor; insurance inspection card $200. Confirm with DOB. SourceChecked on the source | DC Department of Buildings (DOB), Boiler Inspection Service | In forceIn force; DOB page re-read Oct 22, 2026 (yearly inspection, annual certificate); the ASME edition it names (2007) is older than the 2017 Construction Codes, so confirm the controlling edition with DOB |
| Pools | Aquatic Facilities Regulations (Swimming Pools, Spa Pools and Saunas), DCMR Title 25-C, final rule effective Jun 9, 2017Title 25-C DCMR Aquatic Facilities Regulations, adopted Apr 4, 2017 and effective on D.C. Register publication Jun 9, 2017; repealed old Chapter 64 and incorporated the second edition of the CDC Model Aquatic Health Code. SourceChecked on the source | DC Department of Health (DC Health) | In force |
| Lodging | DLCP Lodging Business license (activity types include Hotel, Inn and Motel, Bed and Breakfast) plus DCMR Title 14, Ch. 13 (Hotels and Motels)DLCP page lists Lodging activity types (Bed and Breakfast, Boarding House, Cooperative Association, Hotel, Inn and Motel, Rooming House); prerequisites include a Certificate of Occupancy or Home Occupation Permit, tax registration and Clean Hands. 2-year license $99, 4-year $198. DCMR 14-13 text not read. SourceChecked on the source | DC Dept of Licensing & Consumer Protection (DLCP) licenses; DOB is the construction code official; FEMS Office of the Fire Marshal enforces the fire code | In force |
| Workplace | Federal OSHA jurisdiction; DC has no OSHA-approved State PlanOSHA's state-plan page states D.C. is not an OSHA-approved State Plan and is under federal OSHA jurisdiction. SourceChecked on the source | U.S. Department of Labor, OSHA (direct federal jurisdiction) | In force |
| Environmental | Federal EPA baseline (SPCC 40 CFR 112, EPCRA Tier II, HFC leak repair 40 CFR 84, engines 40 CFR 63 ZZZZ, asbestos 40 CFR 61 M, UST 40 CFR 280) plus District layer: DOEE UST annual registration (20 DCMR Ch. 56); DOEE emergency-engine source category permits 7115-SC-R2 and 7116-SC-R2; DOEE asbestos permit (20 DCMR 800); DC Water grease interceptors and 21 DCMR Ch. 54 cross-connectionsDOEE: USTs register annually (20 DCMR 56); certificate kept on site. Non-NSPS emergency engines under RICE MACT: source category permits 7115-SC-R2/7116-SC-R2 issued Apr 24, 2025. Gas or distillate fuel-burners at or under 5 MMBtu/hr usually need no permit (DOEE form). Asbestos: contractor notice 10 working days ahead, occupants 30 days. DC Water: annual backflow testing by approved testers. SourceChecked on the source | DC DOEE (UST, air, asbestos); DC Water (grease, backflow, sewer); U.S. EPA (federal). Confirm with the agency or a licensed professional. | In forceHFC leak-repair rule in force since Jan 1, 2026; next Tier II filing March 1, 2027; automatic leak detection for existing 1,500 lb+ commercial refrigeration by Jan 1, 2027 |
DC Fire Code: 2017 DCMR 12H, based on the 2015 International Fire Code, part of the 2017 DC Construction Codes (effective May 29, 2020). DOB's 2017 DC Construction Codes page lists 12H Fire as based on the 2015 IFC, amended by DCMR Title 12; the set took effect May 29, 2020, with the Section 123 transitory provision for earlier permits. DOB's code-development page says all 12 categories, including Fire, are in the next update; a Fire listening session was held Sep 24, 2026. Enforced by: Dept of Buildings (DOB) adopts the code; FEMS Office of the Fire Marshal enforces and inspects.
2017 DC Construction Codes (2015 ICC family + 2014 NEC + 2013 ASHRAE 90.1, DC-amended); DCMR Title 12. DOB states the 2017 DC Construction Codes take effect May 29, 2020, built on 2015 ICC, 2014 NEC and 2013 ASHRAE 90.1 as amended in DCMR Title 12. Some earlier-filed permits may fall under prior editions (Sec. 123); Title 12 DCMR is the official text. Enforced by: DC Department of Buildings (DOB), district-wide.
Elevators: DC Department of Buildings (DOB) certifies; DOB-approved third-party elevator inspection agencies inspect (DCMR 12A Sec. 3001 requires conveyances to be inspected and certified; certificates under Sec. 3009; ASME A17.1 edition not stated on the DOB page). Boilers: DC Department of Buildings (DOB), Boiler Inspection Service (DCMR Title 12, Ch.10E (Boilers, Water Heaters and Pressure Vessels) and Title 17, Ch.4 (Steam Engineers); DOB page names the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Sections I-XI, 2007 edition, as the enforced standard).
District of Columbia is a federal-OSHA state: the U.S. Department of Labor's OSHA enforces workplace safety rules directly.
Fire: Rulemaking notice Fall 2026 (Next code cycle: DOB's Jun 8, 2026 release expects first proposed rules mid-to-late fall 2026 (45-day comment), second set summer 2027, final rules late 2027; n); Building: Rulemaking notice Fall 2026 (Next code cycle: DOB estimates a 1st Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in Fall 2026 (45-day comment) and final codes late 2027; listening sessions ended Sep 24, 202); Fall 2026 (DOB estimate): DOB's 1st Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (45-day comment) for the next DC Construction Code cycle; DOB's Jun 8, 2026 release says mid-to-late fall 2026; estimate only, due field is a season-end placeholder; Jan 1, 2027: Automatic leak detection on existing 1,500 lb+ HFC commercial refrigeration.
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