Do I need a permit? in Washington, DC
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.
A person last checked these rules on October 20, 2026. This is guidance only, so confirm with Washington before you build.
The details
- No permit: one garden shed of 50 sq ft or less and under 10 ft tall. Swings and playground equipment. A prefabricated above-ground pool under 24 in deep holding 1,000 gallons or less with no circulation system.High confidence
- No permit: a retaining wall up to 4 ft from the bottom of its footing, at a one- or two-family house, disturbing less than 50 sq ft of land.High confidence
- No permit: in-kind replacement of roofing, siding, gutters, private sidewalks, driveways and patios, and in-kind repair of an existing fence.High confidence
- Permit needed: every deck and porch, new fences, garages, new paving, HVAC equipment including replacements, solar panels and EV charging equipment.High confidence
- In a historic district or on a landmark, none of the exemptions apply.High confidence
Check a project at your address
SetbackIQ reads the zoning, flood zone, historic district, and environmental maps for your lot. Then it applies these rules.
Common questions
- Which small projects need no permit in Washington?
- 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.
Sources
- DC Department of Buildings, How to get a permit. Checked 2026-10-20
Unless you are in a historic district, the following work does not require a building permit: ... Replacement in-kind of ... Private sidewalks and driveways; Patios ... Single garden storage shed that does not exceed 50 square feet (4.65 m2) in area and is …
- DC DOB, Building Code Interpretation, Fence (DCBC 3112). Checked 2026-10-20
Fences abutting streets shall not exceed 7ft in Residence... Fence located less than 10ft from a party line shall be a maximum of 7ft high [unless adjoining owners consent]... Fences located in lot interior more than 10ft may not be limited in height... Per…
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.