JOB CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM - DCRA Review Target Timelines

AA- 10,000 sq. feet or more

A- 6,000 sq. feet – 10,000 sq. feet

B- 4,000 sq. feet – 6,000 sq. feet

C- 2,000 sq. feet – 4,000 sq. feet

D- 1,000 sq. feet -2,000 sq. feet

E- 1,000 sq. feet or less

CLASS CATEGORIES

JOB CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM - DCRA Review Target Timelines by Job Type

This chart provides timeline expectations for your permit application. Job classifications set target timeframes for DCRA reviews – based on square footage, scope, and use, not project valuation. Reviews by other

agencies may take additional time.*If your project requires a review from DC Water (WASA) or Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) you must contact these agencies directly to confirm permit application requirements.

REQUIRED PLAN REVIEW & APPROVALS

HOMEOWNERS CENTER JOBS

DCRA’s Goal to Complete:

No More Than 2 Visits

WALK-THRU PERMITS

DCRA’s Goal to Review:

Same Day

INTERMEDIATE JOBS

DCRA’s Goal to Review:

21 Business Days

COMPLEX JOBS

DCRA’s Goal to Review:

30 Business Days

Applications for Owner Occupied 1 & 2 Family

Homes Only

Driveway – New

Drywall – Repair/replace not more than 500 sq. ft.

Fences – New/replacement

Interior remodeling/alteration and repair – No

more than 500 sq. ft. including bathrooms,

kitchens without major structural change or

removal or erection of interior load-bearing walls

or impact on the sharing / party walls

Interior non-load bearing wall demolition

Porch & Steps – Repair existing on private

Property not in historic or fine arts jurisdictions

Retaining Walls – Less than 4 ft. in height

maximum, measured from bottom of footing and

land disturbance is greater than 500 sq. ft. (on

private property)

Accessory Structure (Garage/Shed) – No more

than 500 sq. ft. and 15 ft. high; alteration & repair

of existing; no change in use

Addition to Single-Family Dwelling – Up to 500 sq.

ft.; no more than 1 story high at ground level; no

party walls, no removal of exterior or load

bearing wall

One-Level Decks – Less than 500 sq. ft. and less

than 10 ft. above grade

Window/Door Replacement/Repair – If your

property is in a Historic or CFA jurisdiction, you

must get approval before you apply for a permit

Roof Repairs/Replacement – No structural

changes

Review at Permit Center Counter

After-Hours permit, referencing approved permits,

and renewal of existing permits

Alteration, Repair and Demolition Project(s) – Less

than 1,000 sq. ft. (total work area) in existing building

are limited by the following:

1. No new public utility connections (electric, gas,

water/sewer)

2. No change in use or occupant load

3. No food, licensed medical facility, childcare or

Community Residential Facility (CRF) uses

Retaining Wall – 4 ft. to 6 ft. height maximum,

measured from bottom of footing (on private

property)

Decks – Less than 500 sq. ft. and less than 10 ft.

above grade

Exterior Building Cleaning – With water, chemical or

sand blasting

Awning or Canopy (on private property)

Sign(s) – Less than 20 sq. ft. in area. (on private

property)

Special sign(s) – Changes to existing and renewal(s)

Existing Porch & Steps - Repair existing (on private

property) not in Historic or Commission of Fine

Arts (CFA) jurisdictions

Underground Storage Tank

Christmas Tree or Fireworks Stand

Pool(s) – Less than 400 sq. ft.

Soil borings – Subject to DDOE approval

Supplemental Permit – Electrical, mechanical,

plumbing

Tent/Stage – For special events only

No Addition(s)

File Through ProjectDox

Two-Family Conversions with no work – Provide

drawings with (MEP) plans required for building

permit and inspection approval

Accessory structure (shed, garage) – Less than

3000 sq. ft.

Additions – Less than 3,000 sq. ft. (total of all floors)

Alterations or repairs – Less than 3,000 sq. ft. (total

of all floors)

Antenna

Capacity Placard with plans

Demolition – Less than 10,000 sq. ft.

Excavation, Sheeting & Shoring – Less than 3,000

sq. ft. total

Foundation to Grade – Less than 3,000 sq. ft.

Projection into Public Space

Retaining Wall

Revisions to approved permit – Less than 3,000 sq.

ft. (total of all floors)

Tenant layout – Less than 3,000 sq. ft. in new

building

Underpinning – No party walls less than 3,000 sq. ft.

Sidewalk Café Construction Approval

Swimming Pool – Over 400 sq. ft. tower cranes

Solar Reviews – Reviewed by the Green Building

Program

Third Party Review

Revisions to approved permits – Less than 3000 sq.

ft. (total of all floors) revision to permits approved

through ProjectDox, must be submitted in

ProjectDox

File Through ProjectDox

Additions, Foundations – 3,000 sq. ft. and over

New Building(s)

Raze Permit

Sheeting & Shoring – 3,000 sq. ft. and over

Underpinnings – with Party Walls

Alteration/Repairs – 3,000 sq. ft. and over

Any job not specifically listed in one of the other