Overview
The District of Columbia Department of Buildings (DOB) manages construction permitting. This guide concerns properties in the District, rather than neighboring Maryland or Virginia jurisdictions.
Permit authority
DC Department of Buildings (DOB)
Trade licensing
DLCP Board of Industrial Trades
Trades
Select a trade for its permit path, licensing, code resources, fees and filing pitfalls.
Electrical permits and licensing
DOB / DLCPApplicable Code
2014 NEC within the 2017 DC suite, with DC electrical supplement and later amendments; confirm Title 12 for the application.
License Requirement
DC-licensed, bonded master electrical professional obtains the trade permit. A trade contractor company also needs its DLCP credential and designated master.
License Fee
DLCP Industrial Trades fee schedule
CEUs
Confirm current renewal requirements with DLCP
Permit Fee
Outlet wiring: $20 per 10 outlets or fraction, plus 10% enhancement.
Plan Review Time
Confirm the selected trade route with DOB
Common Pitfalls
- A homeowner cannot apply for the electrical trade permit.
- A building application does not replace the licensed master’s electrical application.
Permit-to-closeout workflow
Confirm scope and approvals
Identify residential/commercial route, zoning, neighboring-property impacts and required trades.
Submit the application
Use Permit Wizard or Citizen Access and the applicable DOB checklist.
Complete digital review
Upload drawings to ProjectDox and address each reviewing agency’s comments.
Obtain issued permits
Pay assessed charges and have licensed masters obtain required trade permits.
Arrange inspections
Use Tertius and resolve inspection corrections for the issued scope.
Confirm occupancy approval
Check whether a certificate of occupancy is required before using the finished space.
Permit fees and worked estimates
DOB published fee schedule checked October 12, 2026; no effective date shown. Examples include the 10% enhancement; permit charges only.
| Trade | Permit fee | License fee |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical permits and licensing | Outlet wiring: $20 per 10 outlets or fraction, plus 10% enhancement. | DLCP Industrial Trades fee schedule |
| Plumbing and gas-fitting permits | Ordinary plumbing: $26 first fixture + $20 each additional, plus 10%; instant route $28.60/fixture. | DLCP schedule for the license and application category |
| Mechanical and refrigeration work | Instant HVAC up to 10 tons: $46 + 10% = $50.60; gas work separate. | DLCP refrigeration/air-conditioning fee schedule |
| Fire protection and life safety | NFPA 13: $4/head first 50, $2/head thereafter, plus 10%; alarm $22/10 devices. | Credential-specific; confirm with DLCP and the reviewing office |
| General contracting and residential renovations | Instant building permit: $36.30 enhanced; new construction $0.03/cubic foot plus 10%. | DLCP contractor and construction-services schedule |
Choose your permit route
Start with DOB’s How to Get a Permit guidance to identify the permit type and required approvals. The Permit Wizard handles one- and two-family residential projects and qualifying trade applications. Other commercial projects use Citizen Access. Some projects require approvals from other agencies.
Submission checklist
Application and review
Contact and planning
Use DOB’s official contact service or call (202) 671-3500 for permitting assistance. Ask DOB to resolve scope-specific requirements before committing to a construction start date.
Codes and District amendments
DOB identifies the 2017 DC Construction Codes as the 2015 ICC family, 2014 NEC and ASHRAE 90.1-2013 with District supplements. The integrated reference books omit some amendments adopted after May 29, 2020: use Title 12 DCMR to confirm the official provisions and transition conditions for the application.
Homeowner rules
The Homeowner’s Center serves owners of one- and two-family homes and authorized agents. It assists with project applications and plans; electrical, plumbing and mechanical trade permits are issued only to licensed, bonded master professionals. Keep the owner application and each contractor’s trade responsibilities clear.
Enforcement and neighboring properties
Inspections and closeout
DOB directs construction inspection scheduling through Tertius. Review the required inspections for the issued permit and any certificate-of-occupancy requirements before using the completed space.