D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 12, r. 12-A202
Revised definitions. The definitions of the following terms in Section 202 of the International Building Code are deleted and new definitions are inserted in their place in Section 202 of the Building Code.
ADDITION. An extension or increase in the building area, aggregate floor area, number of stories, or height of a building or structure.
BASE FLOOD. A flood having a 1-percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year. The base flood is commonly referred to as the "100-year flood" or the "1-percent-annual chance flood."
BASEMENT. A story that is not a story above grade plane (see "Story above grade plane"). This definition of "Basement" does not apply to the provisions of Section 1612 or Appendix G for flood loads.
BASEMENT (for flood loads) (for purposes of Section 1612 and Appendix G). The portion of a building having its floor subgrade (below ground level) on all sides. This definition of "Basement" is limited in application to the provisions of Section 1612 and Appendix G.
BUILDING OFFICIAL. The code official.
DESIGN FLOOD ELEVATION. The elevation of the "design flood," including wave height, relative to the datum specified on the District of Columbia's legally designated flood hazard map.
EXISTING STRUCTURE. Any structure that has been erected and legally occupied (excluding structures occupied pursuant to a temporary certificate of occupancy).
LOWEST FLOOR. The floor of the lowest enclosed area, including basement, but excluding any unfinished or flood-resistant enclosure, usable solely for vehicle parking, building access or limited storage provided that such enclosure is not built so as to render the structure in violation of Section 1612 and Appendix G.
WALL, LOAD-BEARING. Any wall meeting either of the following classifications:
New definitions. The following new terms and definitions are added to Section 202 of the Building Code.
ACCESSORY STRUCTURE (for Appendix G). A structure that is (1) not used for human habitation, (2) incidental to a main structure on the premises, and (3) used only for the parking of vehicles or limited storage.
ADDRESS NUMBER (for Section 118). A number used to provide specific identification for a lot on a public thoroughfare or private thoroughfare in the District of Columbia, which may be a primary address or a secondary address. It shall be stored as a numeric value and may include an address number suffix.
ADDRESS NUMBER SUFFIX (for Section 118). A fraction or a letter that is attached to an address number in an address.
ADDRESS NUMBER RANGE (for Section 118). The high and low values for the street numbers found on a block face. The address range is expressed as a low number and a high number representing the lowest and highest street numbers found or possible on a given block face.
ADMINISTRATIVE BULLETINS. Notices issued by the Department that represent official Department policies to assist applicants, staff and the public in following operational, technical and legal procedures.
ALLEY. Each public thoroughfare or private thoroughfare which is not a street.
ALLEY LINE EXTENDED (for Chapter 32). A line through the corner of a lot, at the intersection of an alley with the street, and perpendicular to the street.
ALTERATION OF A WATERCOURSE. A dam, impoundment, channel relocation, change in channel alignment, channelization, or change in cross-sectional area of the channel or the channel capacity, or any other form of modification which may alter, impede, retard or change the direction and/or velocity of the riverine flow of water during conditions of the base flood.
ASSISTIVE LISTENING SYSTEM. An amplification system utilizing transmitters, receivers, and coupling devices to bypass the acoustical space between a sound source and a listener by means of induction loop, radio frequency, infrared, or direct-wired equipment.
BAY WINDOW. A structure with windows that projects from the façade of a building, starts at or below grade, and is not intended for the display of merchandise or services.
BLOCK FACE (for Section 118). The right-of-way line along a public street or the property line at the edge of a private street segment. Each street segment shall have two block faces.
BOARD OF ZONING ADJUSTMENT (BZA). The Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) is an independent, quasi-judicial body that is empowered to grant relief from the strict application of the Zoning Regulations (variances), approve certain uses of land (special exceptions), and hear appeals of actions taken by the Zoning Administrator.
BUILDING RESTRICTION LINE. A line that defines a required set-back on a lot, a certain distance from the public right-of-way, that is recorded on the records of the Surveyor of the District of Columbia. Any area between a lot line adjoining a street and the building restriction line is private property set aside and treated as public space.
BUILDING RESTRICTION AREA. The portion of a lot between a building restriction line and a lot line adjoining a street.
BUSINESS DAY. A day other than Saturday, Sunday, or a legal public holiday in the District of Columbia. If business day is not specified, a day shall mean a calendar day.
CODE OFFICIAL. The Director of the District of Columbia Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, or a duly authorized representative, for administration and enforcement of the Construction Codes, including Fire Code provisions pertaining to approval, installation, design, testing, and inspection of (a) new fire protection systems and (b) modification of existing fire protection systems. References in the Fire Code to the code official shall refer to the Fire Chief of the District of Columbia Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services or a duly authorized representative, except where the Fire Code provision pertains to approval, installation, design, testing, and inspection of (a) new fire protection systems and (b) modification of existing fire protection systems.. The Fire Chief shall be the code official for maintenance, testing and inspection of all existing fire protection systems.
COLONNADE. A series of columns placed at regular intervals that supports a structure above.
CONDOMINIUM LOT (for Section 118). A condominium unit created through the establishment of a condominium regime pursuant to the District of Columbia Condominium Act of 1980, as amended (Title 42 DC Official Code, Chapter 34) where the condominium unit fronts on and can be accessed directly from an adjacent public thoroughfare or private thoroughfare.
CONSTRUCTION CODES. The 2017 District of Columbia Construction Codes as defined in Chapter 1 of the Building Code.
CONSTRUCTION CODES ACT. The Construction Codes Approval and Amendments Act of 1986, effective March 21, 1987 (D.C. Law 6-216; D.C. Official Code §§ 6-1401et seq. (2018 Repl.) including any subsequent amendments thereto.
DEMOLITION.Interior demolition and partial demolition.
DEMOLITION, INTERIOR. Work that involves the removal of interior non-bearing walls, elements or systems, or interior finishes.
DEMOLITION, PARTIAL. Work of a greater scope than demolition interior that includes the removal of structural elements (interior or exterior), exterior walls, roofs, or other exterior elements but is not a raze.
DEPARTMENT. The District of Columbia Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, except that references to Department in the Fire Code shall refer to the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department.
DEVELOPMENT (for Section 1612 and Appendix G). Any man-made change to improved or unimproved premises, including but not limited to, buildings or other structures, temporary structures, temporary or permanent storage of materials, mining, dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavations, operations and other land-disturbing activities.
DEVELOPMENT SITE (for Section 1612 and Appendix G). A record lot wholly or partially within a flood hazard area on which any development is proposed to occur.
ELEVATION CERTIFICATE. The National Flood Insurance Program Elevation Certificate (FEMA form 086-0-33), any successor to FEMA form 086-0-33, or other approved form, used to certify that new buildings and substantial improvements in Flood Hazard Areas are properly elevated in accordance with t he Floodplain Management Regulations of the District of Columbia.
EMBELLISHMENT. An architectural element that ornaments and articulates the façade of a building.
ENCROACHMENT (for Appendix G). The placement of fill, excavation, buildings, permanent structures or other development into a flood hazard area which may impede or alter the flow capacity of riverine flood hazard areas.
EXISTING BUILDING. Any building that has been erected and legally occupied (excluding buildings occupied pursuant to a temporary certificate of occupancy).
FIRE CHIEF. The Chief of the D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department.
FLOOD HAZARD AREA. The area designated as a flood hazard area in 20 DCMR, Chapter 31.
FLOODPLAIN ADMINISTRATOR. The Director of the District of Columbia Department of Energy & Environment (DOEE).
FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT REGULATIONS OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. The flood-resistant construction provisions of the Construction Codes in combination with the flood resilience rules promulgated by the Department of Energy and the Environment (DOEE), set forth in Title 20, Chapter 31 of the DCMR, and in Title 6, Chapter 5 of the D.C. Official Code (2018 Repl.).
FLOODPROOFING CERTIFICATE. The National Flood Insurance Program Floodproofing Certificate (FEMA form 086-0-34), any successor to FEMA form 086-0-34, or other approved form, used to certify a floodproofing design for non-residential buildings that are permitted as an alternative to elevating to or above the Base Flood Elevation.
FUNCTIONALLY DEPENDENT FACILITY (for Appendix G). A facility that cannot be used for its intended purpose unless it is located or carried out in close proximity to water, such as a docking or port facility necessary for the loading or unloading of cargo or passengers, shipbuilding or ship repair. The term does not include long-term storage, manufacture, sales or service facilities.
HISTORIC STRUCTURE (for Appendix G). Any structure that is:
LETTER OF MAP CHANGE. An official determinations isued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that amends or revises an effective Flood Insurance Rate Map or Flood Insurance Study. Letters of Map Change include:
LOT (for Section 118). A parcel of land, being either (a) a record lot, (b) a Condominium Lot, or (c) a Tax Lot.
LOT LINE EXTENDED (for Chapter 32). The extension of a lot line through a corner of the lot that adjoins the street, perpendicular to the street.
MAIN ENTRANCE (for Section 118). The principal point of entry into a building or other structure on a lot from a public thoroughfare or private thoroughfare; provided that where, due to the physical configuration of a building or other structure, it would appropriate for reasons of public safety or public convenience for a building or other structure to have more than one point of entry from a thoroughfare be recognized as a main entrance of that building or other structure, then the code official is authorized to recognize more than one entry point to that building or other structure as a main entrance and to assign a distinct address number for display by means of a suffix or other designation as the code official deems appropriate.
MANUFACTURED HOME (for Appendix G). A structure that is transportable in one or more sections, built on a permanent chassis, designed for use with or without a permanent foundation when attached to the required utilities, and constructed to the Federal Mobile Home Construction and Safety Standards and rules and regulations promulgated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The term also includes mobile homes, park trailers, travel trailers and similar transportable structures that are placed on a site for 180 consecutive days or longer.
MANUFACTURED HOME PARK OR SUBDIVISION (for Appendix G). A record lot divided into two or more manufactured home lots for rent or sale.
MARKET VALUE (for Appendix G). The assessed value of the building or structure, as established by the District of Columbia Office of Tax and Revenue, Real Property Tax Administration ("OTR"). The assessed value of the land on which the building or structure is located shall not be included in the determination. The relevant assessment shall be the OTR assessment promulgated before the damage occurred or before the repair or improvement is started.
MASS TIMBER. Structural elements of Type IV construction primarily of solid, built-up, panelized or engineered wood products that meet minimum cross section dimensions of Type IV construction.
MAUSOLEUM. A permanent structure or building, located on burial grounds authorized pursuant to D.C. Official Code § 43-121, which is substantially exposed above the ground and used solely for the interment, entombment, or inurnment of human remains.
NONCOMBUSTIBLE PROTECTION (FOR MASS TIMBER). Noncombustible material, in accordance with Section 703.5, designed to increase the fire-resistance rating and delay the combustion of mass timber.
OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS (OAH). An independent agency within the executive branch of the District of Columbia government, established by the Office of Administrative Hearings Establishment Act of 2001 effective March 6, 2002 (D.C. Law 14-76; D.C. Official Code §§ 2-1831.01et seq. (2016 Repl. & 2019 Supp.)), as an administrative tribunal and agency to hear certain contested cases and other administrative adjudication cases arising under the laws of the District of Columbia.
ORIEL WINDOW. A structure with windows that projects from the façade of a building, does not touch grade, and is not intended for the display of merchandise or services.
PARTY LINE. A lot line shared by adjoining lots.
PARTY LINE EXTENDED (for Chapter 32). The extension of a party line that adjoins the street, and perpendicular to the street.
PARTY WALL (for Chapters 1 and 33). A wall that straddles, or is in close proximity to, a lot line, which is used for structural support by two or more adjoining buildings or structures.
PORCH (for Chapter 32). An above-grade structure with or without a roof that is open on all sides of the projection that are over the lot line or building restriction line, has vertical elements connecting the floor with a roof, is attached to a building, and is accessible from the attached building.
PORTE-COCHERE. A covered entrance of sufficient size for a vehicle to pass underneath and provide shelter from the weather.
PREMISES. A lot, plot or parcel of land, including any buildings or structures thereon, or a part of a lot, plot, parcel of land or structure.
PRIMARY ADDRESS (for Section 118). The address of the main entrance of a premises.
PRIVATE THOROUGHFARE (for Section 118). Streets, alleys and other thoroughfares where the underlying land is owned by private citizens or entities, or is part of existing tax or record lots adjoining a public thoroughfare.
PROJECTION (for Chapter 32). An encroachment into the public right of way, public space or a building restriction area.
PUBLIC PARKING. The area of a street devoted to open space, greenery, or parks which lies between the lot line and the edge of the actual or planned sidewalk which is nearer to the lot line, as such lot line and sidewalk are shown on the records of the District of Columbia.
PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY. The surface, the air space above the surface, and the area below the surface of any public space.
PUBLIC SPACE. All the publicly owned property between lot lines, including streets, alleys, parks, and reservations. Any building restriction area, where the same exists on a lot, shall be treated as public space.
PUBLIC THOROUGHFARE (for Section 118). Streets, alleys and other thoroughfares that are under the jurisdiction of the District of Columbia, any other public government, including the Federal Government or its branches, or by any adjoining state government.
RAZE. The complete removal of any existing structure, with or without the removal of party walls and below grade portions of a structure.
RECORD LOT (for Section 118). A lot of record created pursuant to the Subdivision Regulations of the District of Columbia, 10-B DCMR §§ 2700 et seq.
RECREATIONAL VEHICLE (for Appendix G). A vehicle that is built on a single chassis, 400 square feet (37.16 m2) or less when measured at the largest horizontal projection, designed to be self-propelled or permanently towable by a light-duty truck, and designed primarily not for use as a permanent dwelling but as temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, travel or seasonal use. A recreational vehicle is ready for highway use if it is on its wheels or jacking system, is attached to the site only by quick disconnect-type utilities and security devices and has no permanently attached additions.
RENTAL UNIT. Any premises or part of a premises which is rented or offered for rent for residential (non-transient) occupancy, including, but not limited to, an apartment, dwelling unit, rooming unit, sleeping unit, housekeeping unit, or dwelling.
SECONDARY ADDRESS (for Section 118). An address created when a building has an entrance from the exterior, other than the main entrance, that directly serves a tenant different than that served by the main entrance.
SHOW WINDOW (for Chapter 32). A structure with windows that projects from the façade of a building, starts at grade, and is intended for the display of merchandise or services.
SIGN LEGISLATION. Any District of Columbia laws and regulations, including, but not limited to, An Act To regulate the erection, hanging, placing, painting, display, and maintenance of outdoor signs and other forms of exterior advertising within the District of Columbia, approved March 3, 1931 (46 Stat. 1486; D.C. Official Code Section §§ 1-303.21 et seq. (2016 Repl. & 2019 Supp.)), as amended, and any substantially similar successor legislation, and Mayor's Order 2011-181, dated October 31, 2011.
SPECIAL INSPECTION POLICY MANUAL. The document setting forth policies and procedures associated with providing special inspection services pursuant to Chapter 17 of the District of Columbia Building Code (October 15, 2018 edition, as may be amended from time to time by the Department).
STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER. The person designated by the Mayor to administer the National Register Program within the District of Columbia established pursuant to the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 ( 16 USC §§ 470et seq.).
STREET (for Chapter 32). A public thoroughfare, other than an alley, as shown on the records of the District of Columbia, including any associated roadway, curb, sidewalk, tree space and public parking.
TAX LOT (for Section 118). An assessment and taxation lot, and, established by the Office of Tax and Revenue of the District of Columbia as a "ground lot" (i.e., 800, 900 or 1000 series lots), which fronts on and can be accessed directly from an adjacent public thoroughfare or private thoroughfare.
TERRACE (for Chapter 32). Raised level ground that is located in the public parking and is surrounded by a retaining wall or is surrounded by sloped surfaces that transition to adjacent areas.
THIRD PARTY AGENCY. A person retained by an applicant or permit holder to provide code compliance plan reviews or inspections of a project, at the expense of the applicant or the permit holder as applicable, in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Construction Codes and the Third Party Program Procedure Manual.
THIRD PARTY PROGRAM. A program established by the Department to establish and review qualifications of persons for approval to provide code compliance plan reviews and inspections of projects, and to provide oversight of approved Third Party Agencies.
THIRD PARTY PROGRAM PROCEDURE MANUAL. The document setting forth policies and procedures for the Department's Third Party Program (adopted November 6, 2017, revised December 7, 2018, as may be amended from time to time by the Department), including information regarding the qualifications that must be demonstrated for a person to obtain approval by the Department to conduct code compliance plan reviews or inspections of a project, and the procedures that must be followed as a condition of such approval, pursuant to Sections 6-1405.02 and 6-1405.04 of Title 6 of the D.C. Official Code (2018 Repl.) and Chapter 17 of the Building Code.
THOROUGHFARE (for Section 118). A public thoroughfare or a private thoroughfare, as applicable.
THOROUGHFARE NAME (for Section 118). The full proper name of a thoroughfare, stored as an alphanumeric character string, the thoroughfare type and the street quadrant.
THOROUGHFARE NUMBER (for Section 118). A number used to provide specific identification for a premises on a public or private thoroughfare in the District of Columbia, which may be a primary address or a secondary address. It shall be stored as a numeric value.
THOROUGHFARE QUADRANT (for Section 118). Two alphabetical characters that identify the geographic sector of the District of Columbia in which the address is located. All addresses in Washington, D.C., with the exception of the United States Capitol which is the central point of the addressing grid, shall have a thoroughfare quadrant designation. The thoroughfare quadrants are NE (Northeast), NW (Northwest), SE (Southeast) and SW (Southwest), and each quadrant shall be so abbreviated and capitalized. No thoroughfare quadrant shall consist of a single cardinal direction (e.g., North).
THOROUGHFARE SEGMENT (for Section 118). The portion of a public thoroughfare or private thoroughfare between its intersections with two other thoroughfares.
THOROUGHFARE TYPE (for Section 118). The name of the type of thoroughfare, such as avenue, street, road, circle, etc. It shall be stored in fully spelled out form as an alphabetical string. Thoroughfare types are listed in the U.S. Postal Service Standards and in the National Emergency Number Association Standards (NENA). The code official is authorized to use thoroughfare types not listed in either standard.
TOWER (for Chapter 32). A structure that projects from the façade of the building and extends above the roofline of the building to which it is attached.
UNDERGROUND GARAGE (for Section G105, Appendix G). An enclosed area that is below grade on all sides and is below the design flood elevation or base flood elevation that will be used solely for parking, building access, or storage.
UNIT NUMBER (for Section 118). The designation of an individual unit, such as "A", "Rear", or "102". It shall be stored as an alphanumeric string.
UNIT TYPE (for Section 118). The type of occupancy, such as an apartment, suite, or office space. It shall be stored as an alphabetic string.
VAULT (for Chapter 32). A structure with a roof, completely below-grade, that encloses space.
ZONES, COMMERCIAL. ARTS-1 through ARTS-4, CG-2, CG-3, D- 3 through D-8, MU-3 through MU-9, MU-17 through MU-21, MU-24 through MU-28, NC-1 through NC-17, RC-2, RC-3 and USN zoning districts (or the successor thereto) as defined by the Zoning Regulations.
ZONES, MIXED-USE. CG-4, HE-1 through HE-4, MU-10, MU- 22, MU-29, SEFC-1, StE-1 through StE-19 and WR-2 through WR-5 zoning districts (or the successor thereto) as defined by the Zoning Regulations.
ZONES, PRODUCTION, DISTRIBUTION AND REPAIR (PDR). PDR-prefixed zoning districts (or the successors thereto) as defined by the Zoning Regulations.
ZONES, RESIDENTIAL. CG-1, D-1-R, RC-1, SEFC-2, SEFC-3, W-1, W-7, W- 8 and R, RF or RA-prefixed zoning districts (or the successor thereto) as defined by the Zoning Regulations.
ZONE, SPECIAL PURPOSE. D-2, MU-1, MU-2, MU-15, MU-16 or MU-23 zoning districts (or the successor thereto) as defined by the Zoning Regulations.
ZONING ADMINISTRATOR. The Zoning Administrator of the District of Columbia reviews applications for conformance with the Zoning Regulations including applications for permits and certificates.
ZONING REGULATIONS. The regulations adopted through the publication of a notice of final rulemaking published in the D.C. Register on March 2, 2016 and which became effective at 12:01 a.m., September 6, 2016, as those regulations may thereafter be amended. See 11 DCMR.
D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 12, r. 12-A202