D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 16, r. 16-3103
A respondent shall answer an NOI in accordance with this section within fifteen (15) days from the date of service of the NOI.
In response to an NOI, a respondent shall do the following:
If a respondent admits an infraction, the respondent shall include payment of the fine with the respondent's answer.
Payment of a fine shall not relieve the respondent of the obligation to abate an infraction cited in the NOI.
If a respondent admits an infraction with explanation, the respondent shall indicate on the back of the NOI whether respondent requests a hearing or adjudication by mail. If a respondent fails to indicate whether a hearing or adjudication by mail is requested, the Office of Administrative Hearings, in accordance with its rules, shall schedule a hearing and send the respondent a notice of hearing.
If a respondent denies an infraction, the Office of Administrative Hearings will schedule a hearing, in accordance with its rules.
A notice of hearing sent pursuant to this chapter shall inform the respondent of the following:
A respondent may answer an NOI in person or by mail.
To answer an NOI in person, a respondent shall appear at the following address between the hours of 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except on legal holidays:
Office of Administrative Hearings
441 Fourth Street, N.W., Suite 450N
Washington, D.C. 20001
To answer an NOI by mail, a respondent shall mail the completed NOI, postmarked within fifteen (15) days from the date of service, to the following address:
Office of Administrative Hearings
441 Fourth Street, N.W., Suite 450N
Washington, DC 20001
If a respondent responds to an NOI and pays the stated fine, but fails to indicate an answer, the respondent shall be deemed to have admitted the infraction.
If a respondent responds to an NOI but does not pay the stated fine, and fails to indicate an answer, the respondent shall be deemed to have denied the infraction, and the Office of Administrative Hearings shall schedule a hearing, in accordance with its rules.
If a respondent fails to answer an NOI in a timely manner, the respondent shall not have a right to a hearing on the NOI or adjudication of the NOI by mail, unless the respondent shows good cause for the failure to answer the NOI in a timely manner.
If a respondent challenges an NOI as defective on its face, an ALJ may review the NOI prior to a hearing and, if the ALJ determines that the NOI is defective on its face, dismiss the NOI. If the ALJ does not dismiss the NOI, the respondent shall be deemed to have denied the infraction and the Office of Administrative Hearings shall schedule a hearing, in accordance with its rules.
D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 16, r. 16-3103