DCRA Transitions to DCMR 2017
WASHINGTON, D.C.
On June 16, 2020, Deputy Chief Building Official Christopher Bailey formally announced DCRA’s transition to the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations (DCMR) 2017 Title 12 code addition for building code. The adoption of the code is retroactive to May 29,2020.
Permits issued prior to the May 29, 2020 adoption can continue under the 2013 DCMR. Permit applications submitted and accepted prior to the May 29, 2020 adoption can be processed under the 2013 DCMR. If a permit expires for any reason, no extensions shall be granted. New permit applications must comply with the 2017 DCMR going forward.
Permits under contract prior to the May 29, 2020 and permit applications submitted prior to May 29, 2021 shall provide DCRA with a document attesting to the following conditions:
I the“applicant”am submitting for code review a complete permit application and construction document set.
Submit for code review a signed & dated copy prior to May 29,2020 of the design contract for the scope of work submitted for permit, between the “designer” and the “applicant”
I the “applicant” shall pay all permit fees within 12 months of application date
I the“applicant”shall complete the work detailed in the approved permit.
I the“applicant” understand, if the permit expires, no extensions shall be granted and that new permits shall be meet the 2017 DCMR.
Tenant Layout permits shall be permitted to use previous editions of the construction codes.
Revisions of a permit issued prior to May 29, 2020 are permitted to use the previous edition of the codes. Unless the Code official determines a safety risk or a new permit is required.
While the adoption of the DCMR 2017 Title 12 code was widely anticipated, some design professionals may not be aware of the transition. Please review with your team members the status of all designs in progress and double check the code review and cover sheets of forthcoming projects to make sure the correct code is referenced. Interagency will provide a crosscheck for this compliance at the outset of permit expediting services, but bear in mind that catching an un-updated code reference can have implications for time and budget.
References:
2017 DCMR 12
Section 123 Transitory Provisions
123.1 Applicability of Prior Editions of the Construction Codes
123.1.1 Permits Issued Prior to Adoption of Construction Codes
123.1.2 Applications Filed Prior to Adoption of Construction Codes
123.1.3 Applications Filed After Adoption of Construction Codes
123.1.4 Tenant Layout Permits in a New Building
123.1.5 Revisions of a Permit Issued Under a Prior Edition of the Construction Codes
To discuss in detail, please reach out to InterAgency’s Permit Director, Justin Bellow, at justin.bellow@interagency.biz.