District of Columbia Administrative Code

2903 CLEANABILITY ─ FLOOR CARPETING, RESTRICTIONS AND INSTALLATION 2903.1 A floor covering such as carpeting or similar material shall not be installed as a floor covering in food preparation areas, walk-in refrigerators, warewashing areas, toilet room areas where handwashing sin…

2904 CLEANABILITY ─ FLOOR COVERING, MATS, AND DUCKBOARDS 2904.1 Mats and duckboards shall be designed to be removable and easily cleanable. SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 50 DCR 4394 (June 6, 2003); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 59 DCR 13690 (November 30, 201…

2905 CLEANABILITY ─ WALL AND CEILING COVERINGS AND COATINGS 2905.1 Wall and ceiling covering materials shall be attached so that they are easily cleanable. 2905.2 Except in areas used only for dry storage, concrete, porous blocks, or bricks used for indoor wall construction shall…

2906 CLEANABILITY ─ WALLS AND CEILINGS, AND ATTACHMENTS 2906.1 Except as specified in § 2906.2, attachments to walls and ceilings such as light fixtures, mechanical room ventilation system components, vent covers, wall mounted fans, decorative items, and other attachments shall b…

2907 CLEANABILITY ─ WALLS AND CEILINGS, STUDS, JOISTS, AND RAFTERS 2907.1 Except in temporary food establishments, studs, joists, and rafters shall not be exposed in areas subject to moisture. SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 50 DCR 4394 (June 6, 2003); as amended by Final R…

2908 FUNCTIONALITY ─ LIGHT BULBS, PROTECTIVE SHIELDING 2908.1 Except as specified in § 2908.2, light bulbs shall be shielded, coated, or otherwise shatter-resistant in areas where there is exposed food, clean equipment, utensils, linens, or unwrapped single-service and single-use…

2909 FUNCTIONALITY ─ HEATING, VENTILATING, AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM VENTS, AND TEMPERATURE 2909.1 Heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems shall be designed and installed so that make-up air intake and exhaust vents do not cause contamination of food, food-contact surfac…

2910 FUNCTIONALITY ─ INSECT CONTROL DEVICES, DESIGN, AND INSTALLATION 2910.1 Insect control devices that are used to electrocute or sting flying insects shall be designed to retain the insect within the device. 2910.2 Insect control devices shall be installed so that: (a) The dev…

2911 FUNCTIONALITY ─ TOILET ROOMS, ENCLOSED 2911.1 Toilet rooms shall not open directly into a room used for the preparation of food for service to the public and shall be provided with a tight-fitting and self-closing door in accordance with the D.C. Plumbing Code (2008) incorpo…

2912 FUNCTIONALITY ─ OUTER OPENINGS, PROTECTED 2912.1 Except as otherwise specified in §§ 2912.2 through 2912.5, the outer openings of a food establishment shall be protected against the entry of insects and rodents by: (a) Filling or closing holes and other gaps along floors, wa…

2913 FUNCTIONALITY ─ EXTERIOR WALLS AND ROOFS, PROTECTIVE BARRIER 2913.1 Perimeter walls and roofs of a food establishment shall effectively protect the establishment from the weather and the entry of insects, rodents, and other animals. SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 50 D…

2914 FUNCTIONALITY ─ OUTDOOR FOOD VENDING AREAS, OVERHEAD PROTECTION 2914.1 Except for machines that vend canned beverages, if located outside, a machine used to vend food shall be provided with overhead protection. SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 50 DCR 4394 (June 6, 2003)…

2915 FUNCTIONALITY ─ OUTDOOR SERVICING AREAS, OVERHEAD PROTECTION 2915.1 Except for areas used only for the loading of water or the discharge of sewage and other liquid waste, through the use of a closed system of hoses, servicing areas shall be provided with overhead protection.…

2916 FUNCTIONALITY ─ OUTDOOR WALKING AND DRIVING SURFACES, GRADED TO DRAIN 2916.1 Exterior walking and driving surfaces shall be graded to drain. SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 50 DCR 4394 (June 6, 2003); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 59 DCR 13690 (November 3…

2917 FUNCTIONALITY ─ OUTDOOR REFUSE AREAS, CURBED AND GRADED TO DRAIN 2917.1 Outdoor refuse areas shall be constructed, curbed and graded to drain to collect and dispose of liquid waste that results from the refuse and from cleaning the area and waste receptacles. SOURCE: Final R…

2918 FUNCTIONALITY ─ PRIVATE HOMES AND LIVING OR SLEEPING QUARTERS, USE PROHIBITION 2918.1 A private home, a room used as living or sleeping quarters, or an area directly opening into a room used as living or sleeping quarters shall not be used for conducting food establishment o…

2919 FUNCTIONALITY ─ LIVING OR SLEEPING QUARTERS, SEPARATION 2919.1 Living or sleeping quarters located on the premises of a food establishment such as those provided for lodging registration clerks or resident managers shall be separated from rooms and areas used for food establ…

300 DISEASE OR MEDICAL CONDITION ─ RESPONSIBILITY OF FOOD EMPLOYEES AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEES TO REPORT SYMPTOMS AND DIAGNOSIS 300.1 The licensee shall require food employees and conditional employees to report to the person in charge, in accordance with this section, information…

301 DISEASE OR MEDICAL CONDITION ─ RESPONSIBILITY OF PERSON IN CHARGE TO REPORT SPECIFIC ILLNESS OF FOOD EMPLOYEE TO THE DEPARTMENT 301.1 The person in charge shall notify the Department when a food employee is: (a) Jaundiced; Pf or (b) Diagnosed with an illness due to a pathogen…

302 DISEASE OR MEDICAL CONDITION ─ RESPONSIBILITY OF PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROHIBIT A CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE WITH A SPECIFIC ILLNESS FROM BECOMING A FOOD EMPLOYEE 302.1 The person in charge shall ensure that a conditional employee who exhibits or reports a symptom, or reports a diagn…

303 DISEASE OR MEDICAL CONDITION ─ RESPONSIBILITY OF PERSON IN CHARGE TO EXCLUDE OR RESTRICT ILL FOOD EMPLOYEES 303.1 The person in charge shall ensure that a food employee who exhibits or reports a symptom or who reports a diagnosed illness or a history of exposure as specified …

304 DISEASE OR MEDICAL CONDITION ─ RESPONSIBILITY OF FOOD EMPLOYEES TO COMPLY WITH EXCLUSIONS OR RESTRICTIONS 304.1 A food employee shall comply with: (a) An exclusion imposed pursuant to § 305, and § 306.1(a) or § 306.2(a), unless reinstated pursuant to § 307; P or (b) A restric…

305 DISEASE OR MEDICAL CONDITION ─ CONDITIONS REQUIRING EXCLUSION OF ILL FOOD EMPLOYEES 305.1 Except when the symptom is from a noninfectious condition, the person in charge shall exclude a food employee from a food establishment, if the food employee is: (a) Symptomatic with vom…

306 DISEASE OR MEDICAL CONDITION ─ CONDITIONS REQUIRING EXCLUSION OR RESTRICTION OF ILL FOOD EMPLOYEES 306.1 If a food employee is diagnosed with an infection from Norovirus, Shigella spp., or Enterohemorrhagic or Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli, and is asymptomatic, the p…

307 DISEASE OR MEDICAL CONDITION ─ RESPONSIBILITY OF PERSON IN CHARGE TO REMOVE, ADJUST, OR RETAIN EXCLUSIONS AND RESTRICTIONS OF ILL FOOD EMPLOYEES 307.1 If a food employee is not diagnosed with an infection from hepatitis A virus or Salmonella Typhi, the person in charge may: (…

3000 HANDWASHING FACILITIES ─ MINIMUM NUMBER 3000.1 Handwashing sinks shall be provided as specified in § 2406. SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 50 DCR 4394 (June 6, 2003); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 59 DCR 13690 (November 30, 2012). AUTHORITY: DC-DCMR Secti…

3001 HANDWASHING FACILITIES ─ HANDWASHING CLEANSER, AVAILABILITY 3001.1 Each handwashing sink or group of two (2) adjacent sinks shall be provided with a supply of hand cleaning liquid, powder, or bar soap. Pf SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 50 DCR 4394 (June 6, 2003); as a…

3002 HANDWASHING FACILITIES ─ HAND DRYING PROVISION 3002.1 Each handwashing sink or group of adjacent sinks shall be provided with: (a) Individual, disposable towels; Pf (b) A continuous towel system that supplies the user with a clean towel; Pf (c) A heated-air hand drying devic…

3003 HANDWASHING FACILITIES ─ HANDWASHING AIDS AND DEVICES, USE RESTRICTIONS 3003.1 A sink used for food preparation or utensil washing, or a service sink or curbed cleaning facility used for the disposal of mop water or similar wastes, shall not be provided with the handwashing …

3004 HANDWASHING FACILITIES ─ HANDWASHING SIGNAGE 3004.1 A sign or poster that notifies food employees to wash their hands shall be provided at all handwashing sinks used by food employees and shall be clearly visibly to food employees. SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 50 DC…

3005 HANDWASHING FACILITIES ─ DISPOSABLE TOWELS, WASTE RECEPTACLE 3005.1 A handwashing sink or group of adjacent sinks that is provided with disposable towels shall be provided with a waste receptacle as specified in § 2706.3. SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 50 DCR 4394 (Ju…

3006 TOILETS AND URINALS ─ MINIMUM NUMBER 3006.1 Toilets and urinals shall be provided as specified in § 2407. SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 50 DCR 4394 (June 6, 2003); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 59 DCR 13690 (November 30, 2012). AUTHORITY: DC-DCMR Sectio…

3007 TOILETS AND URINALS ─ TOILET TISSUE, AVAILABILITY 3007.1 A supply of toilet tissue shall be available at each toilet. Pf SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 50 DCR 4394 (June 6, 2003); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 59 DCR 13690 (November 30, 2012). AUTHORITY:…

3008 LIGHTING ─ INTENSITY 3008.1 The light intensity shall be: (a) At least one hundred eight (108) lux or ten (10) foot candles at a distance of seventy-five centimeters (75 cm) or thirty inches (30 in.) above the floor, in walk-in refrigeration units and dry food storage areas …

3009 VENTILATION ─ MECHANICAL 3009.1 All rooms shall have sufficient tempered make-up air and exhaust ventilation to keep them free of excessive heat, steam, condensation, vapors, obnoxious odors, smoke, and fumes. 3009.2 All ventilation systems, furnaces, gas- or oil-fired room …

3010 DRESSING AREAS AND LOCKERS ─ DESIGNATION 3010.1 Dressing rooms or dressing areas shall be designated if employees routinely change their clothes in the establishment. 3010.2 Lockers or other suitable facilities shall be provided for the orderly storage of employees' clothing…

3011 SERVICE SINKS ─ AVAILABILITY 3011.1 A service sink or curbed cleaning facility shall be provided as specified in § 2408.1. SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 50 DCR 4394 (June 6, 2003); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 59 DCR 13690 (November 30, 2012). AUTHORIT…

3100 HANDWASHING FACILITIES ─ CONVENIENTLY LOCATED 3100.1 Handwashing sinks shall be conveniently located as specified in § 2411. SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 50 DCR 4394 (June 6, 2003); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 59 DCR 13690 (November 30, 2012). AUTHOR…

3101 TOILET ROOMS, RESTROOMS - CONVENIENCE, ACCESSIBILITY, AND REQUIRED GENDER-NEUTRAL SIGNS 3101.1 Each food establishment shall maintain restrooms consisting of a toilet room or toilet rooms, proper and sufficient water closets, and sinks that are conveniently located and readi…

3102 EMPLOYEE ACCOMMODATIONS ─ DESIGNATED AREAS 3102.1 Areas designated for employees to eat, drink, and use tobacco shall be located so that food, equipment, linens, and single-service and single-use articles are protected from contamination. 3102.2 Lockers or other suitable fac…

3103 DISTRESSED MERCHANDISE ─ SEGREGATION AND LOCATION 3103.1 Products that are held by the licensee for credit, redemption, or return to the distributor, including damaged, spoiled, or recalled products, shall be segregated and held in designated areas that are separated from fo…

3104 REFUSE, RECYCLABLES, AND RETURNABLES ─ RECEPTACLES, WASTE HANDLING UNITS, AND DESIGNATED STORAGE AREAS 3104.1 Units, receptacles, and areas designated for storage of refuse and recyclable and returnable containers shall be located as specified in § 2709. SOURCE: Final Rulema…

3200 PHYSICAL FACILITIES ─ REPAIRING 3200.1 Physical facilities shall be maintained in good repair. SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 50 DCR 4394 (June 6, 2003); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 59 DCR 13690 (November 30, 2012). AUTHORITY: DC-DCMR Sections 4 and 10…

3201 PHYSICAL FACILITIES ─ CLEANING FREQUENCY AND RESTRICTIONS 3201.1 Physical facilities shall be cleaned as often as necessary to keep them clean. 3201.2 Except for cleaning that is necessary due to a spill or other accident, cleaning shall be done during periods when the least…

3202 PHYSICAL FACILITIES ─ CLEANING FLOORS, DUSTLESS METHODS 3202.1 Except as specified in § 3202.2, only wet cleaning, vacuum cleaning, mopping with treated dust mops, sweeping using a broom and dust-arresting compounds or other dustless methods of cleaning shall be used to clea…

3203 PHYSICAL FACILITIES ─ CLEANING VENTILATION SYSTEMS, NUISANCE AND DISCHARGE PROHIBITION 3203.1 Intake and exhaust air ducts shall be cleaned and filters changed so they are not a source of contamination by dust, dirt, and other materials. 3203.2 If vented to the outside, vent…

3204 PHYSICAL FACILITIES ─ CLEANING MAINTENANCE TOOLS, PREVENTING CONTAMINATION 3204.1 Food preparation sinks, handwashing sinks, and warewashing equipment shall not be used to clean maintenance tools, to prepare or hold maintenance materials, or to dispose of mop water or simila…

3205 PHYSICAL FACILITIES ─ DRYING MOPS 3205.1 After use, mops shall be placed in a position that allows them to air-dry without soiling walls, equipment, or supplies. SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 50 DCR 4394 (June 6, 2003); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 59 …

3206 PHYSICAL FACILITIES ─ ABSORBENT MATERIALS ON FLOORS, USE LIMITATION 3206.1 Except as specified in § 3202.2, sawdust, wood shavings, granular salt, baked clay, diatomaceous earth, or similar materials shall not be used on floors. SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 50 DCR 4…

3207 PHYSICAL FACILITIES ─ CLEANING PLUMBING FIXTURES 3207.1 Plumbing fixtures such as handwashing sinks, toilets, and urinals shall be cleaned as often as necessary to keep them clean. SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 50 DCR 4394 (June 6, 2003); as amended by Final Rulemaki…