District of Columbia building code
District of Columbia has adopted 2017 DC Building Code (12 DCMR A) based on 2015 IBC. The table below lists the governing edition for every discipline a plan check touches, followed by the District of Columbia cities and counties that amend it locally.
- Current edition
- 2017 DC Construction Codes (2015 I-Codes + 2014 NEC + ASHRAE 90.1-2013 base), effective 2020-05-29
- Prior edition
- 2013 DC Construction Codes (2012 I-Codes base)
- Code authority
- DC Department of Buildings (DOB): designated lead for construction code development on 2026-02-11, replacing the sunset Construction Codes Coordinating Board (CCCB); codes promulgated as Title 12 DCMR under the Construction Codes Approval and Amendments Act (DC Code Title 6, Ch. 14)
Edition changeover: Projects with a complete application on or before 2020-05-29 (projects with an executed design contract could continue permitting under the 2013 codes for one year, to 2021-05-29) may still be reviewed under the 2013 DC Construction Codes (2012 I-Codes base).
Adopted code by discipline
| Discipline | Adopted code | Local amendment |
|---|---|---|
| Building | 2017 DC Building Code (12 DCMR A) based on 2015 IBC | n/a |
| Residential | 2017 DC Residential Code (12 DCMR B) based on 2015 IRC | n/a |
| Existing buildings | 2017 DC Existing Building Code (12 DCMR J) based on 2015 IEBC | n/a |
| Fire | 2017 DC Fire Code (12 DCMR H) based on 2015 IFC | n/a |
| Electrical | 2017 DC Electrical Code (12 DCMR C) based on 2014 NEC (NFPA 70) | n/a |
| Mechanical | 2017 DC Mechanical Code (12 DCMR E) based on 2015 IMC | n/a |
| Plumbing | 2017 DC Plumbing Code (12 DCMR F) based on 2015 IPC | n/a |
| Energy | 2017 DC Energy Conservation Code (12 DCMR I[CE] commercial + I[RE] residential) based on 2015 IECC with ASHRAE 90.1-2013 (commercial compliance path) | n/a |
| Green / sustainability | 2017 DC Green Construction Code (12 DCMR K) based on 2015 IgCC | n/a |
| Fuel Gas | 2017 DC Fuel Gas Code (12 DCMR D) based on 2015 IFGC | n/a |
| Property Maintenance | 2017 DC Property Maintenance Code (12 DCMR G) based on 2015 IPMC | n/a |
Overlays that can apply
Mapped hazard and district overlays stack on top of the adopted code. These are the overlays recorded for District of Columbia. They apply by parcel, not jurisdiction-wide, so confirm the parcel before assuming one is in play. Check CAL FIRE's fire hazard severity viewer and FEMA's flood map service.
- FEMA mapped flood hazard area
- Local stretch energy code
Sources
- https://dob.dc.gov/page/dc-construction-codes
- https://www.dcregs.dc.gov/Common/DCMR/SubTitleList.aspx?TitleId=34
- https://dob.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/dob/publication/attachments/2017%20DC%20Energy%20Code.pdf
- https://dob.dc.gov/release/dc-department-buildings-quicken-pace-dc-construction-code-development-under-organizational
- https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/titles/6/chapters/14
- https://www.iccsafe.org/advocacy/adoptions-map/district-of-columbia/
Common questions
What building code does District of Columbia use?
District of Columbia uses 2017 DC Building Code (12 DCMR A) based on 2015 IBC. It is administered by the DC Department of Buildings (DOB): designated lead for construction code development on 2026-02-11, replacing the sunset Construction Codes Coordinating Board (CCCB); codes promulgated as Title 12 DCMR under the Construction Codes Approval and Amendments Act (DC Code Title 6, Ch. 14). The prior edition was 2013 DC Construction Codes (2012 I-Codes base).
Do cities in District of Columbia amend the state code?
Local amendments are adopted by ordinance at the city or county level. Confirm with the building department that reviews your permit.
Which edition applies to a permit already in review in District of Columbia?
Projects with a complete application on or before 2020-05-29 (projects with an executed design contract could continue permitting under the 2013 codes for one year, to 2021-05-29) may still be reviewed under the 2013 DC Construction Codes (2012 I-Codes base).
Check a plan set against District of Columbia code
Knowing the adopted edition is the easy half. Architechtura reads your drawings, resolves which of these provisions actually apply to the project, and returns the corrections a plan checker would write up, each one cited to the section it came from.
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Compiled from published state and municipal adoption ordinances. Local governments amend their codes on their own schedule, and a pending ordinance can change what applies to your permit. Confirm the governing edition with the building department before you submit. This page is reference information, not a code determination.