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READYDOCSCOMPLIANCESTATESDISTRICT OF COLUMBIADISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
FILE 11001 · COUNTY OF DISTRICT OF COLUMBIASEAT · WASHINGTONPOPULATION · 679KVERIFIED · 05 / 2026
Public Compliance Directory · County Hub

District of Columbia.

District of Columbia in District of Columbia. This is where the state file translates into the local offices that actually issue the permit, schedule the inspection, and sign the filing. Start with the state baseline, then drill into the right city.

Cities on file
1
Trades indexed
12
County seat
Washington
Last verified
05 / 2026
FAST FACTS

District of Columbia at a glance

Quick-reference card
County seatWashington
Population (est.)679K
FIPS11001
Building departmentDepartment of Buildings
Permit portalPermit Wizard
Fire marshalDC Fire and EMS Department
Browse cities→Back to state←
County of
District of Columbia
· ACTIVE FILE ·
ARTICLE I · COUNTY BASELINE
CODES & LOCAL AUTHORITY
FIPS 11001
Article I · County Baseline

The county inherits from the state. And adds local rules.

The District of Columbia Construction Codes are based on the 2017 International Codes with local amendments.

The District of Columbia operates as a single municipal entity; there are no independent incorporated cities within its borders. All building permits, zoning reviews, and inspections are managed centrally by the Department of Buildings. Specific geographic overlays include the Height Act restrictions and various historic preservation districts that require additional review.

The District of Columbia enforces strict historic preservation requirements for properties located within designated historic districts, which often necessitates review by the Historic Preservation Review Board.

How this fits with the state

The state authority here is DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection. The county file does not replace that — it adds the permit office, local overlays, and the actual filing path.

Source · Department of BuildingsLast verified · 05 / 2026
ARTICLE II · PERMIT OFFICES
WHERE THE PERMIT IS FILED
OPERATING PATH
Article II · Local Offices

Who issues, who inspects, who signs off.

Contractors must hold a valid DC basic business license and specific trade licenses issued by the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection to perform work.

Building

Department of Buildings

Permits, plans, inspections

Verify hours, requirements, and fees on the local portal before filing.

Office · local
See sources →
Permit portal

Permit Wizard

Apply, track, pay

Verify hours, requirements, and fees on the local portal before filing.

Office · local
See sources →
Planning / zoning

Office of Zoning

Land use, plan review

Verify hours, requirements, and fees on the local portal before filing.

Office · local
See sources →
Fire marshal

DC Fire and EMS Department

Prevention, alarms, sprinklers

Verify hours, requirements, and fees on the local portal before filing.

Office · local
See sources →
ARTICLE III · INSURANCE & BONDS
COUNTY OVERLAY ON STATE BASELINE
VERIFY BEFORE BIDDING
Article III · County Overlay

What District of Columbia usually adds.

The state sets the floor. The county and city can require additional certificates, local bonds, or pre-permit registration.

CoverageRequired?MinimumIssued by
Workers' CompensationState rule with county add-ons
Verify
Required with employees; verify DC rules
State authority
General LiabilityOften required by permit type
Conditional
Permit-based
Department of Buildings
Surety BondTied to state license or county permit
Conditional
Varies by license and permit
State or county
County overlayContractors must maintain general liability and workers' compensation insurance as required by the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection for licensure.
Verify
Varies
Department of Buildings
Source · Department of BuildingsVerify before filing
ARTICLE IV · INDEXED CITIES
CITIES IN DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
1 CITY
Article IV · Browse by City

Indexed cities in District of Columbia.

Pick a city to open its trade list. The trade page covers licensing, permits, insurance, and typical costs for that work in that city.

WashingtonDistrict of Columbia
01
ARTICLE V · TRADES
TRADES IN DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
12 TRADES
Article V · Trades

Trades branching in District of Columbia.

Each trade opens against the first indexed city in the county. Use the city browser above to open the same trade in another city.

Concrete
CODE · CN
GL
Open file →
Electrical
CODE · EL
State Lic.GLBond
Open file →
Flooring
CODE · FL
GL
Open file →
Framing
CODE · FR
GL
Open file →
General Contracting
CODE · GC
State Lic.GLBond
Open file →
HVAC
CODE · HV
State Lic.GLBond
Open file →
Landscaping
CODE · LS
GL
Open file →
Painting
CODE · PT
GL
Open file →
Pest Control
CODE · PC
State Lic.GL
Open file →
Plumbing
CODE · PL
State Lic.GLBond
Open file →
Pool Service
CODE · PS
GLBond
Open file →
Roofing
CODE · RF
LicenseBondGL
Open file →
ARTICLE VI · SOURCES
LOCAL SOURCE REGISTER
VERIFY LOCALLY
Article VI · Sources & Citations

Every filing needs a source trail.

This template keeps the county page honest: local context here, filing decisions made with the issuing office.

State

DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection

Statewide licensing, reciprocity, and renewal rules.

/contractors/district-of-columbia
VERIFIED
05 / 2026
County

Department of Buildings

Department that issues permits and schedules inspections for unincorporated areas.

Permit Wizard
VERIFIED
05 / 2026
Planning

Office of Zoning

Land use, zoning review, and plan approvals.

Local planning office
VERIFIED
05 / 2026
Fire

DC Fire and EMS Department

Prevention, protection systems, and code approvals.

Fire marshal's office
VERIFIED
05 / 2026
Frequently Asked

Questions contractors ask before filing.

Q01Do I need a state license to work in District of Columbia?+
Usually yes — the baseline is the state license through DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection. District of Columbia and its cities may add local registration before you pull a permit.Source · DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection
Q02Does the county or the city issue the permit?+
It depends on where the work is. Unincorporated areas usually route through the county (Department of Buildings). Work inside an incorporated city normally files with that city's department.Source · Department of Buildings
Q03What changes between county and state?+
The county adds the actual permit office, local zoning overlays, plan-review timelines, inspections, and local fees. The state license defines who can contract; the county defines how the job gets filed.Source · County and municipal departments

Open the county file. Then pick the city.

District of Columbia now inherits from the state template and adds its own local detail. The next layer is the city and trade pages.

Browse cities→Back to state←