District of Columbia · Fire code

The fire code in force in District of Columbia now.

DC Fire Code, part of the 2017 DC Construction Codes (based on the 2015 ICC/IFC family). Enforced by Dept of Buildings (DOB) adopts the code; FEMS Office of the Fire Marshal enforces and inspects. Verified on the primary source, re-checked weekly.

Enter a District of Columbia ZIP code for the building view

Fire code in District of Columbia

Verified on the source

In force

DC Fire Code, part of the 2017 DC Construction Codes (based on the 2015 ICC/IFC family)

Applies to new and existing buildings district-wide; effective May 29, 2020, with DC amendments under DCMR Title 12 (Fire Code Supplement).

Source: primary document

Who enforces it

Dept of Buildings (DOB) adopts the code; FEMS Office of the Fire Marshal enforces and inspects

Statewide layer. County and city amendments sit on top; the building view resolves them from your ZIP.

What changes next

Rulemaking notice Fall 2026

Full code-cycle update underway: DOB targets Fall 2026 for the 1st rulemaking notice, new edition targeted Fall 2027 (exact dates TBD)

The federal layer

No federal fire code applies to a private building; OSHA's exit-route, fire-extinguisher and emergency-plan rules (29 CFR 1910 Subparts E and L) apply to every employer alongside the state fire code.

Questions about the fire code in District of Columbia

Which fire code applies in District of Columbia today?

DC Fire Code, part of the 2017 DC Construction Codes (based on the 2015 ICC/IFC family). Applies to new and existing buildings district-wide; effective May 29, 2020, with DC amendments under DCMR Title 12 (Fire Code Supplement).

Who enforces the fire code in District of Columbia?

Dept of Buildings (DOB) adopts the code; FEMS Office of the Fire Marshal enforces and inspects.

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

Rulemaking notice Fall 2026. Full code-cycle update underway: DOB targets Fall 2026 for the 1st rulemaking notice, new edition targeted Fall 2027 (exact dates TBD)

Other areas in District of Columbia

Everything in force in District of Columbia

Building code2017 DC Construction Codes (2015 ICC family + 2014 NEC + 2013 ASHRAE 90.1, DC-amended); DC…ElevatorsDC Elevator/Escalator Code (ASME A17.1/A17.3, edition tied to the 2015-ICC-family code cyc…BoilersDCMR Title 12, Ch.10E (Boilers, Water Heaters and Pressure Vessels); DC Code Sec.2-103/2-1…Pools and spasAquatic Facilities Regulations (Swimming Pools, Spa Pools and Saunas), DCMR Title 25-C, fi…Hotels and lodgingNo standalone statewide hotel life-safety statute found; hotels licensed under DLCP's Lodg…Workplace safetyFederal OSHA jurisdiction; DC has no OSHA-approved State Plan

Priced per building. Your whole team is included.

One address, every authority that can cite it, and a record of who saw what. Cancel anytime. Public pages stay free.

See pricing