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District of Columbia · Building code

The building code in force in District of Columbia now.

2017 DC Construction Codes (2015 ICC family + 2014 NEC + 2013 ASHRAE 90.1, DC-amended); DCMR Title 12. Enforced by DC Department of Buildings (DOB), district-wide. Checked on the primary source; the state record was last reviewed 2026-11-12.

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Building code in District of Columbia

Checked on the source
In force

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.

Source: primary document

Who enforces it

DC Department of Buildings (DOB), district-wide

Statewide layer. County and city amendments sit on top; confirm the local office for the address.

What changes next

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, 2026; no notice posted as of the code-development page re-read Oct 22, 2026

Dated items

Next 24 months
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 placeholderDC Department of Buildings (DOB)
Confirmed date
Summer 2027 (DOB estimate)
DOB's 2nd Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (30-day comment) on the next Construction Code edition; exact date not yet setDC Department of Buildings (DOB)
Confirmed date
Late 2027 (DOB estimate)
Final next-generation DC Construction Codes published after an ~80-day Council review; editions not announcedDC Department of Buildings (DOB) / DC Council
Confirmed date

What a building has to do

1 recurring duties

These apply when the building has the equipment or fits the type named. The frequency is the standard one; your local official can set a stricter one, so confirm it for the address.

Monthly
Accessible pool entry: a pool lift or sloped entry in place and working whenever the pool is open (pools with 300 or more linear feet of wall need two accessible entries; a spa needs one: lift, transfer wall or transfer system); the rule sets no inspection interval; a monthly check that it works and is charged is common practice2010 ADA Standards §242 and §1009; 28 CFR 36.211 · U.S. Department of Justice (enforced through complaints and lawsuits) · Checked against the source 2026-09-28.

Questions about the building code in District of Columbia

Which building code applies in District of Columbia today?

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.

Who enforces the building code in District of Columbia?

DC Department of Buildings (DOB), district-wide.

What changes next for the building code in District of Columbia?

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, 2026; no notice posted as of the code-development page re-read Oct 22, 2026

Other areas in District of Columbia

Everything in force in District of Columbia
Fire codeDC Fire Code: 2017 DCMR 12H, based on the 2015 International Fire Code, part of the 2017 D…ElevatorsDCMR 12A Sec. 3001 requires conveyances to be inspected and certified; certificates under …BoilersDCMR Title 12, Ch.10E (Boilers, Water Heaters and Pressure Vessels) and Title 17, Ch.4 (St…Pools and spasAquatic Facilities Regulations (Swimming Pools, Spa Pools and Saunas), DCMR Title 25-C, fi…Hotels and lodgingDLCP Lodging Business license (activity types include Hotel, Inn and Motel, Bed and Breakf…Workplace safetyFederal OSHA jurisdiction; DC has no OSHA-approved State Plan

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