D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 12, r. 12-A106
Strike Section 107 of the International Building Code in its entirety and substitute new Section 106 in the Building Code in its place to read as follows:
General. Submittal documents shall consist of construction documents (as specified in this Section 106 or as may be required by the code official), a statement of special inspections, reports, and other data. The construction documents shall be prepared by a registered design professional where required by the Construction Codes. Where special conditions exist, the code official is authorized to require additional construction documents, including those submittal documents to be prepared by a registered design professional.
Exceptions: Where the code official deems that the nature of the work applied for is such that review of submittal documents is not necessary to confirm compliance with the Construction Codes, the code official is authorized to accept and process a permit application without some or all of the otherwise required submittal documents, or to modify the form and content of any otherwise required submittal document, provided, that this exception does not apply where the Construction Codes require submittal documents to be prepared by a registered design professional.
Electronic Submission. Required submittal documents shall be submitted electronically with each permit application.
Exceptions: Applicants are authorized to submit four sets of construction documents and one set of all other submittal documents, in lieu of an electronic submission where specified by the code official.
Where submittal documents are not required to be submitted electronically, the code official is authorized to establish requirements, including but not limited to maximum overall size, for submittal documents acceptable for review.
Scale of Construction Documents. All construction documents shall be drawn to the scale of not less than 1/8 inch to the foot (10 mm/m).
Exceptions:
Construction Documents.Construction documents shall be in accordance with Sections 106.2.1 through 106.2.20.
Architectural and Engineering Details. The code official shall require adequate details of architectural, structural, accessibility, fire protection, electrical, fuel gas, mechanical, plumbing, energy conservation, and green building provisions to be submitted, including computations, stress diagrams, sound transmission details and other technical data essential to assess compliance with the Construction Codes, as further specified in this Section 106. In addition, these construction documents shall include the following:
Means of Egress. The construction documents shall show in sufficient detail the location, construction, size and character of all portions of the means of egress, including the path of the exit discharge to the public way, in compliance with the provisions of the Construction Codes. In occupancies other than Group R-2, R- 3 and I- 1 occupancies, the construction documents shall designate the number of occupants to be accommodated on every floor and in all rooms and occupiable spaces.
Exterior Envelope. The construction documents for all buildings shall describe the exterior wall envelope, roof envelope and building thermal envelope in sufficient detail to determine compliance with the Construction Codes. The construction documents shall provide details of the exterior wall and roof envelope as required, including materials, flashing, intersections with dissimilar materials, corners, end details, control joints, intersections at roof, eaves or parapets, means of drainage, water-resistive membrane, details around openings, fire-resistive construction and fire-resistive protection of wall openings, wall cavities and intersections with floor assemblies, as applicable.
Exterior opening near a lot line. Where exterior wall openings are provided in accordance with Section 705.8.7, the construction documents shall include separate drawings illustrating compliance with all criteria of Section 705.8.7 in its entirety. Drawings shall indicate distances to interior record lot lines, adjacent buildings, percentages of exterior openings, protection of openings, and vertical distances above adjacent buildings on the same or adjacent lots as needed to demonstrate compliance with Section 705.8.7.
Structural Documents. Before a permit is issued and before work can begin, structural documents shall be submitted in accordance with Section 1603 of the Building Code, showing the complete design, with sizes, sections, and relative locations of various structural members, floor elevations, column, or bearing wall centers, and beam or joint sizes and spacings. A geotechnical report shall be provided where required by Sections 1705.6 and 1803. The code official shall have the right to require that the structural computations for the structure be submitted for review.
Fire Protection Documents The applicant shall provide plans and schedules of sufficient detail showing the applicable features and characteristics of all fire protection systems components for any system required by the Construction Codes or otherwise proposed to be installed. The construction documents shall show the location and type of all fire alarm devices, fire alarm control equipment and panels, fire alarm primary and backup power sources. The construction documents shall include sufficient information and detail to adequately describe the elements of any smoke control systems including stair pressurization calculations, equipment location and engineering needs as required by the Construction Codes. The construction documents shall show the (a) standpipes and (b) automatic sprinkler system infrastructure including the location, size and type of risers, valves, flow and pressure sensors, Siamese connections, fire pump, jockey pump, pump controllers, pump test pipes and other appurtenances of the system, as applicable. The type of sprinkler system and areas and openings requiring special coverage shall be so noted on the construction documents. The construction documents shall show details of other fire suppression systems, including gaseous and kitchen hood systems. The construction documents shall show capacities and loads of the means of egress, maximum travel distances at every floor, remoteness between exits, fire resistance rating of structural members, floors and walls enclosing means of egress, rating of fire doors and fire dampers, fire stop penetration details at rated wall and floor assemblies, location and type of exit signs and emergency lighting. Construction documents for work in part of an existing building shall include a scoping document listing all floors of the building and the extent to which each floor is protected with an automatic fire suppression system.
Elevator and Other Conveying Systems Documents. The applicant shall provide plans and schedules of sufficient detail showing the applicable features and characteristics of all conveying systems components for any system required by the Construction Codes or otherwise proposed to be installed. The construction documents shall clearly show:
Electrical Documents. The applicant shall provide plans and schedules of sufficient detail and clarity showing the location and capacity of all lighting facilities, electrically operated equipment and electrical circuits required for all service equipment of the building or other structure. All electrically controlled devices, including signal, communicating and lighting systems and associated wiring, wherever required under the provisions of the Construction Codes, shall be shown on the electrical plans for the following purposes:
Panel schedule with details and references.
Exemptions. Electrical plans shall not be required for the following:
Fuel Gas Documents. The applicant shall provide construction documents, engineering calculations, diagrams and other data, which shall be of sufficient clarity to indicate the location, nature and extent of the fuel gas work proposed and show in detail that the work conforms to the provisions of the Construction Codes. Construction documents shall indicate where penetrations will be made for installations and shall indicate fire stop penetration details at rated wall and floor assemblies. Plans must include a piping plan with gas riser diagram.
Mechanical Documents. The applicant shall provide diagrammatic mechanical equipment or system and mechanical plans, which shall show the location and arrangement of the mechanical equipment, fuel systems, ductwork and appurtenances, including safety and pressure-controlling devices. The plans shall show in sufficient detail the relevant features and clearances of the appliances and systems, including: fire stop penetration details at rated wall and floor assemblies, and size and type of apparatus; construction of flue, stack or chimney; stack connections; type of fuel; method of operation; and the method of compliance with all the applicable regulations for the class and type of equipment installed.
Exemptions. Mechanical plans shall not be required for the following:
Plumbing Documents. The applicant shall provide plans of each floor and of a typical floor showing the complete plumbing system layout, all plumbing fixtures, total Drainage Fixture Unit (DFU) values, the water supply piping layout, together with building sections showing vertical and diagrammatic elevations of the soil, waste, vent and water supply lines with traps and valves, and the location and size of the public sewer or other disposal system. The plumbing plans shall show in sufficient detail: the layout and spacing of fixtures; the size, material and location of the building and storm sewers and drains; the soil, waste, vent and water supply piping; the method or equipment proposed to prevent cross-contamination and backflow; and fire-stop penetration details at rated wall and floor assemblies.
Public Sewer. Plans for new plumbing or alterations to existing plumbing systems shall be accompanied by a diagram showing the relative elevation of the lowest fixture and the top of the public sewer referred to in the established datum of DC Water. The plans shall show the size, number and location of all new sewer connections. When relevant to the scope of work, the permit applicant shall secure from DC Water the location and other necessary details regarding water and sewer mains to serve the premises to be permitted and shall submit this information with the permit application to the code official.
Public Water Main. Where the installation of a water distribution system or the replacement or alteration of an existing water supply system is contemplated, the plumbing plans shall show the location and size of all water lines and branches involved all fixtures or other devices to be supplied, and the minimum water pressure in the main in front of the building or other structure.
DC Water Certificate of Approval. A water and sewer Certificate of Approval, issued by DC Water, shall be provided with the plumbing plans for every project where DC Water is requested to furnish new water or sewer service connections.
Exemptions. Plumbing plans shall not be required for the following:
Energy Conservation Documents. The applicant shall provide plans and schedules of sufficient clarity to indicate the location, nature and extent of the work proposed and show in sufficient detail pertinent data and features of the building and the equipment and systems as herein governed, including, but not limited to:
Green Building Documents. The applicant shall provide plans and supporting documents in sufficient detail and clarity to show compliance with the relevant green building construction practices as required by the Green Construction Code or an alternative compliance path selected pursuant to Section 101.12, and with any green building submittal requirements specified by the code official as set forth in the Department's Administrative Bulletins.
Zoning Compliance Review Data. The applicant shall provide to the Zoning Division of the Department plans showing orientation of the lot as to North, drawn to a scale indicated numerically as well as depicted graphically, and including the following information:
Shop Drawings. Before construction or installation of the elements and systems listed below, the code official is authorized to require submission of shop drawings bearing the review stamp of the engineer of record, and bearing the seal and signature of the registered design professional who designed the system. Where the project is subject to the mandatory electronic submission requirements in Section 106.1, shop drawings shall be submitted electronically unless otherwise allowed by the code official. Where electronic submission is not required, four sets of shop drawings shall be submitted.
Exception for Items 16, 17, and 19: The code official is authorized to accept the following shop drawings without the seal and signature of the registered design professional who designed the system:
Official Building Plat. The applicant shall provide an official building plat of a lot that is the subject of an application, issued by the D.C. Office of the Surveyor, in duplicate or by electronic submission, as part of applications for permit involving any of the following:
Plat Information. The applicant shall show upon the building plat, completely dimensioned and drawn in ink to the same scale as the plat, the following:
Certification of Plat. The accuracy of the representation of the location of the structures on the plat shall be self-certified by the owner or authorized agent for the owner of the lot of record or parcel of land, who shall sign a certificate in a form prescribed by the code official, printed on the building plat.
Site Plan. The applicant shall provide a site plan, which shall not substitute for the official building plat required by Section 106.2.15, whenever the application for permit involves any of the following:
Site Plan Information. The applicant shall show upon the site plan, completely dimensioned and drawn to a scale indicated numerically and graphically, the following:
Flood Hazard Areas - Additional Submission Requirements. For development in a development site that is within the scope of Appendix G, the applicant shall provide the additional information and data required by Appendix G as part of the permit application.
Protection of Adjoining Premises-Additional Submission Requirements.
Underpinning. Where underpinning is chosen to provide the protection or support of adjoining premises, the applicant shall provide such information as the code official deems necessary to determine the applicant's compliance with the applicable provisions of the Construction Codes.
Excavations. Where an application for permit proposes excavation work, the code official is authorized to require the applicant to submit additional data the code official deems necessary to determine the appropriateness of the proposed structural measures to protect the integrity of the soil and structures located on the adjoining premises.
Notification of Owners of Adjoining Premises. Notification of owners of adjoining premises (and owners of adjacent premises for snow drift loads) shall be provided by the applicant pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section 106.2.18.3.1, where the proposed work involves all or any of the following:
Exceptions: Where the code official determines that the excavation work will not have any adverse impact on structural or lateral support of the adjoining premises.
Exceptions: Notification is not required for applications submitted pursuant to Section 3307.1.4, by the owner of an adjoining or adjacent premises that has assumed responsibility for any required protective work.
For purposes of this section, a "party wall" shall be defined as "a wall that straddles, or is in close proximity to, a lot line, and which is used for structural support by two or more adjoining buildings or structures."
Evidence of Notification. As required by this section, and prior to permit issuance, the applicant shall provide evidence of notification, consisting of:
Required Posting. A notice of the filing of a permit application within the scope of Section 106.2.18.3 shall be posted by the applicant on the premises upon which the permit application seeks authorization to perform the work, and shall comply with the following conditions:
Required Written Notice. Prior to submission of a permit application within the scope of Section 106.2.18.3, the applicant shall provide written notice in an approved form to the owner or owners of the adjoining premises in accordance with one of the methods below:
Evidence of Delivery of Written Notice. Acceptable evidence of delivery of written notice shall consist of:
Affidavit of Maintenance. Prior to permit issuance, the applicant shall submit a notarized affidavit attesting that the posting required by Section 106.2.18.3.1.1 was continuously maintained for the requisite 30-day period of time.
Substantial Compliance with Notification Requirements. The code official is authorized to grant a permit application, that is otherwise complete, where the code official determines, based on a written request submitted to the code official by the applicant, the applicant has substantially complied with the provisions of Section 106.2.18.3.1. The determination by the code official of substantial compliance is not subject to reconsideration or appeal under Section 112 absent compelling evidence submitted by the owner of the adjoining or adjacent premises that such owner was directly and adversely affected by a lack of notice.
Access to Adjoining Premises. Where an application proposes work that will or potentially require Protective Work (as defined in Section 3307) on an adjoining or adjacent premises, and such Protective Work will require access to the adjoining or adjacent premises by the applicant, a permit shall not be issued until the applicant submits one of the following:
Exception: A limited or temporary right of access to the adjoining premises is expressly granted in Sections 3307.2.2 or 3307.4.1 for the specific Protective Work required.
Covenants and Agreements. Where a covenant or agreement is required by the Construction Codes or drafted in connection therewith (a "Required Covenant"), a copy of the Required Covenant, certified by the Recorder of Deeds as having been recorded in the Land Records, shall be submitted by the owner or authorized agent to the code official as and when required by Section 120. The Required Covenant shall comply with D.C. Official Code § 6-1405.01(b) (2018 Repl.) and with the provisions of Section 120 as applicable.
Other Agency Covenants. Where an agency other than the Department requires a covenant or agreement relating to proposed construction, including, but not limited to, the covenants specified in Section 120.4 the applicant shall comply with such other agency's requirements.
Construction Noise - Additional Submission Requirements. No permit for construction, demolition or raze shall be issued until the permit applicant has provided as part of the permit application written acknowledgement that the noise emanating from the planned activity will comply with the limitations established by the noise regulations set forth in Title 20 DCMR.
Statement of Special Inspections. A statement of special inspections shall accompany each application where special inspections and tests are required by Sections 109.3.13 and 1705. Submission of a statement of special inspections complying with Section 1704.3 shall be a condition for permit issuance as specified in Section 1704.2.3.
Registered Design Professional. The design of work for new construction, repair, expansion, addition or alteration projects submitted for permit shall comply with Sections 106.4.1 through 106.4.6 as applicable.
Architectural Services. Where the project involves the practice of architecture, as defined by D.C Official Code § 47-2853.61 (2015 Repl. & 2019 Supp.), the corresponding permit documents shall be prepared by an architect licensed to practice architecture in the District of Columbia. All plans, computations, and specifications required to be submitted in connection with a permit application for such architectural work shall be prepared by or under the direct supervision of an architect with a valid and unexpired District of Columbia architecture license and shall bear the architect's signature and seal in accordance with the laws of the District of Columbia.
Engineering Services. Where the project involves the practice of engineering, as defined by D.C Official Code § 47-2853.131 (2015 Repl. & 2019 Supp.), the corresponding permit documents shall be prepared by a professional engineer licensed to practice engineering in the District of Columbia. All plans, computations, and specifications required to be submitted in connection with a permit application for such engineering work shall be prepared by or under the direct supervision of a professional engineer with a valid and unexpired District of Columbia engineer license and shall bear the engineer's signature and seal in accordance with the laws of the District of Columbia.
Exceptions: An architect licensed in the District of Columbia is authorized to perform engineering work that is incidental to the practice of architecture, as permitted by D.C Official Code § 47-2853.61 (2015 Repl. & 2019 Supp.).
Interior Design Services. Plans for non-structural alterations a nd repairs of a building, including the layout of interior spaces, which do not adversely affect any structural member, any part of the structure having a required fire resistance rating, or the public safety, health or welfare, and which do not involve the practice of architecture and engineering as defined by D.C Official Code §§ 47-2853.61 and 47-2853.131 (2015 Repl. & 2019 Supp), shall be deemed to comply with this section when such plans are prepared, signed and sealed by an interior designer licensed and registered in the District of Columbia in accordance with D.C Official Code § 47-2853.101 (2015 Repl. & 2019 Supp.).
Exemptions. The professional services of a licensed architect, professional engineer or interior designer are not required for the following:
Registered Design Professional in Responsible Charge. The code official is authorized to require the owner to engage and designate on the permit application a registered design professional who shall act as the registered design professional in responsible charge. If the circumstances require, the owner shall designate a substitute registered design professional in responsible charge who shall perform the duties required of the original registered design professional in responsible charge. Where a registered design professional in responsible charge is required, the code official shall be notified in writing by the owner if the registered design professional in responsible charge is changed or is unable to continue to perform the duties. The registered design professional in responsible charge shall be responsible for reviewing and coordinating submittal documents prepared by others, including phased and deferred submittal items, for compatibility wit h the design of t he building.
Attestations Required.
Registered Design Professional. The signature and seal of the registered design professional, where required by and in accordance with Section 106.4, shall serve as attestation of t he following:
Registered Design Professional in Responsible Charge. Where the code official determines that a registered design professional in responsible charge is required for any project, an attestation sealed and signed by the registered design professional in responsible charge engaged by the owner shall be submitted prior to the issuance of any and all certificate(s) of occupancy for the project. The attestation shall identify the registered design professional in charge by name and registration number, shall identify the project or portion thereof being attested to, and shall state, to the code official's satisfaction, that t he project or portion thereof has been completed in a manner that is substantially compatible with the design of the building that was the basis of the corresponding permit. Furthermore, the attestation shall state that changes from such permit documents, including but not limited to submittal documents prepared by others during the course of construction, and phased and deferred submittal items, have been reviewed and coordinated by the attesting registered design professional in responsible charge.
Examination of Documents. The code official shall examine or cause to be examined the submittal documents accompanying permit applications, pursuant to Section 105.3.
Review by Other Agencies. Permit applicants shall be responsible for obtaining any required approvals from other reviewing agencies and entities, including, but not limited to, the Historic Preservation Office, the Historic Preservation Review Board, the District Department of Energy & Environment, the Public Space Committee, the District Department of Transportation, the Commission on Fine Arts, the Chinatown Steering Committee, and DC Water. If deficiencies in the plans or other supporting documents are discovered during reviews by other agencies, the other reviewing agencies shall respond according to the procedures set forth in its rules and/or procedures. Any restrictions or conditions imposed by other reviewing agencies may be annotated on the plans and shall be incorporated into and deemed a condition of the permit.
Conformance to Approved Construction Documents. All work shall conform to the approved construction documents and any approved amendments to them. Any changes made during construction that are not in compliance with the approved construction documents shall be submitted to the Department for approval as an application for permit revision in accordance with Sections 105.9 and 105.9.1.
D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 12, r. 12-A106