Passed by the Council of the District of Columbia, The Department of Buildings Establishment Act of 2020 became law on October 1, 2021, and started the process of establishing two new agencies, which began serving the District at midnight on October 1, 2022.
These new agencies, the Department of Buildings (DOB) and the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP), serve residents, businesses, and visitors of the District of Columbia, taking on responsibilities previously under the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs’ (DCRA) purview. This transition allows each agency to enhance their consumers’ experiences through promoting their health, safety, and quality of life.
Within their respective areas of responsibility, DOB and DLCP deliver effective compliance, meaningful regulation, and timely maintenance, putting consumer protection at the forefront of their improved operations.
DOB Focus
- Building Inspections
- Code Enforcement
- Construction Code Compliance
- Green Building
- Permitting
- Rental Property Maintenance Standards
- Surveying of the District
- Third-Party Inspections
- Vacant and Blighted Property Enforcement
- Zoning Administration
DLCP Focus
- Business Licensing
- Consumer Protection
- Corporate Registrations and Filings
- Enforcement
- Occupational and Professional Licensing
- Small Business Resource Center
- Special Events and Vending Enforcement
- Weights and Measures
The websites of the new agencies are dob.dc.gov and dlcp.dc.gov.