Washington, DC building permits & contractor rules
10,413 trade leads available now
Top trades: Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC
☆ Add Washington, DC to favorites| Permit office | DC Department of Buildings (DOB) |
|---|---|
| Address | 1100 4th Street SW, Washington, DC 20024 (Walk-In Center, 2nd floor) |
| Hours | Mon–Wed and Fri 8:30 am–4:00 pm; Thu 9:30 am–4:00 pm |
| Phone | (202) 671-3500 |
| Fee schedule | Building permit fee schedule |
| Typical timelines | DOB service level: 30 business days for an initial permit review, 15 business days for a re-review (source) |
| Our data source | Open Data DC: Building Permits (DC Department of Buildings) |
Contractor licensing
- City: General Contractor/Construction Manager and Home Improvement Contractor licenses from DLCP (apply online at BOSS); requirements include a Certificate of Liability Insurance and a Clean Hands certificate. (source)
Bonding & insurance
- Home Improvement Contractors: $25,000 surety bond plus a Certificate of Liability Insurance; General Contractors: Certificate of Liability Insurance. (source)
Notable local rules
- Construction is allowed 7 am–7 pm Monday–Saturday, never on Sundays or holidays; neighbor notification is required before underpinning, excavation or party-wall work (12 DCMR 3307). (source)
Last checked Oct 2026. Lead count generated Oct 14, 2026 18:40 UTC from our live database. This page is for information only and is not legal advice. Requirements change: always verify with the city and state agencies linked here before bidding or starting work.