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SetbackIQ

Homeowner rules in Washington, DC

A person last checked these rules on October 20, 2026. This is guidance only, so confirm with Washington before you build.

Disclaimer: This is general information, not legal or professional advice for any one property. Codes change. SetbackIQ is not a zoning determination, a permit, or a survey, and it does not replace an architect, engineer, or lawyer. Confirm with your building and zoning offices before you build, buy, or sign a contract.

Permits and building

  • Do I need a permit?DC exempts very little: a single garden shed of 50 sq ft or less, playground equipment, a small prefabricated pool, a retaining wall up to 4 ft that disturbs under 50 sq ft, and like-for-like repairs. In a historic district even those need a permit.
  • Solar panelsRooftop and ground-mounted solar need a DOB solar permit. In a historic district HPO reviews placement, and panels on rear slopes and flat roofs are routinely approved.
  • AC units, heat pumps and generatorsNew and replacement AC units, heat pumps and generators all need permits in DC. AC units and heat pumps may not exceed 60 dBA at the property line at any hour. The general residential limit is 60 dBA by day and 55 dBA at night.
  • EV charging at homeA Level 2 charger needs a DOB electrical permit. You can't run a cord across a public sidewalk to a car at the curb.
  • Construction hours and noiseConstruction is allowed Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., without a special permit. Construction noise is barred on Sundays and legal holidays. Other hours need an after-hours permit.
  • Energy codes, green building and upkeepHouses follow the DC Construction Codes in 12 DCMR, including the 2017 DC Energy Conservation Code. The 2017 Green Construction Code and the Green Area Ratio mostly reach larger buildings, and the DC Property Maintenance Code governs upkeep of every home.

Yard and structures

  • Fences and wallsFences along a street or alley, or within 10 ft of a property line, are capped at 7 ft. Fences in public space, which covers many DC front yards, are limited to 42 in and must be at least half open.
  • Retaining wallsA retaining wall up to 4 ft, measured from the bottom of the footing, needs no building permit if it disturbs under 50 sq ft. Taller walls, walls with a surcharge, and walls in public space need permits.
  • Corner sight trianglesDC's zoning code has no corner sight-triangle rule for private yards. At corners, DDOT keeps the sight distance triangle in public space clear: anything other than trees, such as walls, fences, hedges and perennials, should be no more than 3 ft high, and street trees keep their lower branches trimmed to 8 ft.
  • Decks, porches and roof decksEvery deck and porch in DC needs a permit, including changes to existing ones. Low decks and the first 200 sq ft of a main-floor deck don't count toward lot occupancy.
  • Sheds and garagesOnly a single 50 sq ft garden shed skips the permit. Accessory buildings are capped at 22 ft and 2 stories, sit 3 ft from side and 5 ft from rear lines shared with other lots, and garages can't go in the required rear yard without a special exception.
  • Pools and hot tubsOnly a small prefabricated above-ground pool is exempt. Any other pool needs building and electrical permits, a barrier, and usually a DOEE erosion and sediment control plan for the excavation.
  • Exterior lighting and light trespassNo DC rule limits light from a house or townhouse onto a neighbor's lot. DC's only light-trespass rules (Green Construction Code § 409: shielding, glare limits, 3000 K maximum) apply to new buildings and major renovations of 10,000 sq ft or more, and the code expressly excludes one- and two-family houses and townhouses up to three stories. A neighbor's glare is a civil nuisance matter or one for mediation.
  • Driveways and front-yard parkingDC zoning bars surface parking between the front of the house (extended across the lot) and the front lot line, and between a building restriction line and the front lot line (11-C DCMR § 710). A new curb cut needs a DDOT public space permit. Replacing an existing driveway in kind needs no building permit.
  • Pergolas, play sets and carportsSwings and play equipment are exempt. Pergolas, gazebos and carports need a building permit and follow the accessory building rules.

Land and environment

  • TreesA Special Tree (44 to 99.9 in around, measured at chest height) needs a DDOT permit and fee to remove. A healthy Heritage Tree (100 in or more) can't be removed at all.
  • Floodplains, RPAs, wetlands and stormwaterDC has no Virginia-style Resource Protection Areas. What it does regulate is soil disturbance (any work disturbing more than 50 sq ft needs an erosion and sediment control plan), stormwater for large projects, floodplains and wetlands.
  • Steep slopes and problem soilsDC has no steep-slope zoning for houses. SetbackIQ flags lots the DC soil survey puts in the 15 to 40 percent slope class. On those lots, expect DOEE erosion controls (any work moving more than 50 sq ft of soil) and engineered walls: retaining walls over 4 ft need a DC-licensed design professional, and DOB may ask for a soil report.
  • Historic districtsOn a landmark or in a historic district, every permit exemption falls away and HPO reviews exterior work. Raze permits get HPO review too.
  • Grading, easements and demolitionDisturbing more than 50 sq ft of soil needs an erosion and sediment control plan. Tearing down a building needs a raze permit, and historic properties get HPO review.

Living and use

  • RVs, boats and trailers at homeOn your lot, any parked vehicle, RV or boat trailer included, has to sit in a spot zoning allows: not in front of the house or between a building restriction line and the front lot line (11-C DCMR § 710), so in practice behind or beside the house, off an alley. Street parking for trailers, boats and RVs is a DPW and MPD matter.
  • Chickens, bees and urban farmingBackyard chickens are effectively unavailable on most DC lots: the coop needs a permit and must sit 50 ft from any home. Beekeeping is legal with DOEE registration.
  • Home businessesA home business needs a Home Occupation Permit. It may use up to 25% of the home (reported as no more than 250 sq ft), have up to two non-resident employees and about eight client visits a day.
  • Family child care homesA child development home for up to 6 children is allowed by right in houses, flats and townhouses. 7 to 9 is allowed by right as an expanded home. Up to 12 needs BZA approval. OSSE licenses all of them.
  • Occupancy limitsUp to six unrelated people may live together as one household. An accessory apartment is limited to 3 occupants.
  • Short-term rentalsYou can rent only your primary residence (Homestead-eligible). With you present there's no annual cap. Whole-home vacation rentals are capped at 90 nights a year. A basement unit counts as part of your residence.