District of Columbia Administrative Code

1607 LIVE LOADS Strike Item 14 in Table 1607.1 of the International Building Code in its entirety and insert new Item 14 in Table 1607.1 to the Building Code in its place to read as follows: TABLE 1607.1 MINIMUM UNIFORMLY DISTRIBUTED LIVE LOADS, Lo, AND MINIMUM CONCENTRATED LIVE …

1608 SNOW LOADS Insert new Section 1608.1.1 to the Building Code to read as follows: 1608.1.1 Snow load for the District of Columbia. The ground snow load for the District of Columbia as shown in Figure 1608.2 shall be a minimum of 25 psf (1.20 kN/m2) plus drifting, or 30 psf (1.…

1609 WIND LOADS Insert new Section 1609.1.1.2 to the Building Code to read as follows: 1609.1.1.2 Minimum Wind Loads. The wind loads used in the design of the main wind force resisting system ultimate load shall not be less than 30 psf (1.44 kN/m2) multiplied by the area of the b…

1612 FLOOD LOADS Strike Section 1612.3 of the International Building Code in its entirety and insert new Section 1612.3 in its place in the Building Code to read as follows: 1612.3 Establishment of flood hazard areas. Flood hazard areas are established by the Floodplain Administr…

1703 APPROVALS Strike Section 1703.1.1 in the International Building Code in its entirety and insert new Section 1703.1.1 in its place in the Building Code to read as follows: 1703.1.1 Independence. An approved agency shall be objective, competent and independent from the contrac…

1704 SPECIAL INSPECTIONS AND TESTS, CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBILITY AND STRUCTURAL OBSERVATION Strike Section 1704.2.1 in the International Building Code in its entirety and insert new Sections 1704.2.1 and 1704.2.1.1 in its place in the Building Code to read as follows: 1704.2.1 Speci…

1705 REQUIRED SPECIAL INSPECTIONS AND TESTS Insert new Section 1705.19 in the Building Code to read as follows: 1705.19 Underpinning. Underpinning of structures shall be subject to special inspections in accordance with Chapter 17. In addition to the special inspection for struct…

1804 UNDERPINNING Strike Section 1804.2 in the International Building Code in its entirety and insert new Section 1804.2 in the Building Code in its place to read as follows: 1804.2 Underpinning. Where underpinning is chosen to provide the protection or support of adjacent struct…

201 GENERAL Insert a new Section 201.5 in the Building Code to read as follows: 201.5 Defined terms with specific limitations. Where the definition of a term is shown as being specifically limited to a specific chapter or section of the Construction Codes, that definition shall n…

202 GENERAL DEFINITIONS 202.1 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 b…

2111 MASONRY FIREPLACES 2111.5 Seismic anchorage Strike the Exception to Section 2111.5 in the International Building Code and insert a new Exception into Section 2111.5 in the Building Code in its place to read as follows: Exception: Seismic anchorage is not required for the fol…

2113 MASONRY CHIMNEYS 2113.4 Seismic anchorage Strike the Exception to Section 2113.4 in the International Building Code and insert new Exceptions into Section 2113.4 in the Building Code in its place to read as follows: Exceptions: Seismic anchorage is not required for the follo…

2304 GENERAL CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS Strike Section 2304.11 of the International Building Code and insert new Section 2304.11and Table 2304.11 in its place in the Building Code to read as follows: 2304.11 Heavy timber construction. Where a structure, portion thereof or individu…

2702 EMERGENCY AND STANDBY POWER SYSTEMS Strike Section 2702.1.7 of the International Building Code in its entirety and insert new Section 2702.1.7 in its place in the Building Code to read as follows. 2702.1.7 Group I-2 Occupancies. In Group I-2 occupancies located in flood haza…

2901 GENERAL Strike Section 2901.1 of the International Building Code in its entirety and insert new Section 2901.1 to the Building Code in its place to read as follows: 2901.1 Scope. The provisions of this chapter and the Plumbing Code shall govern the erection, installation, al…

2902 MINIMUM PLUMBING FACILITIES In Table 2902.1 of the Building Code, insert a new footnote h in column titled “Bathtubs/Showers”, under Number 5, Institutional I-4, to read as follows: No.ClassificationOccupancyDescriptionWater Closets (Urinals See Section 419.2 of the Plum…

308 INSTITUTIONAL GROUP I Strike Sections 308.3.3 and 308.3.4 of the International Building Code and insert new Sections 308.3.3 and 308.3.4 in the Building Code in their place to read as follows. 308.3.3 Seven to 16 persons receiving custodial care. A facility housing not fewer …

310 RESIDENTIAL GROUP R Strike Sections 310.5, 310.5.1 and 310.6 of the International Building Code and insert new Sections 310.5, 310.5.1, 310.5.2 and 310.6 in the Building Code in their place to read as follows. 310.5 Residential Group R-3. Residential Group R-3 occupancies whe…

3001 GENERAL Strike Sections 3001.1 and 3001.2 of the International Building Code in their entirety and insert new Sections 3001.1 and 3001.2 to the Building Code in their place to read as follows: 3001.1 Scope. This chapter governs the design, construction, installation, alterat…

3002 HOISTWAY ENCLOSURES Strike Section 3002.9 of the International Building Code in its entirety and insert new Section 3002.9 to the Building Code in its place to read as follows: 3002.9 Plumbing and mechanical systems. Plumbing and mechanical systems shall not be located in an…

3006 ELEVATOR LOBBIES AND HOISTWAY OPENING PROTECTION Strike Section 3006.1 of the International Building Code in its entirety and insert new Section 3006.1 to the Building Code in its place to read as follows: 3006.1 General. Elevator hoistway openings and enclosed elevator lobb…

3007 FIRE SERVICE ACCESS ELEVATORS Strike Section 3007.8 of the International Building Code in its entirety and insert new Section 3007.8 to the Building Code in its place to read as follows: 3007.8 Electrical power. The following features serving each fire service access elevato…

3008 OCCUPANT EVACUATION ELEVATORS Strike Section 3008.8 of the International Building Code in its entirety and insert new Section 3008.8 to the Building Code in its place to read as follows: 3008.8 Electrical power. The following features serving each occupant evacuation elevato…

3009 CERTIFICATE OF INSPECTION 3009.1 General. No elevator or conveying system, including, but not limited to, escalators, dumbwaiters, wheelchair lifts, cartveyors, manlifts and moving walks, shall be operated without a valid certificate of inspection issued by the code official…

3010 REQUIRED ELEVATOR SIGNAGE 3010.1 Required Elevator Signage. A permanent sign of durable material, with lettering no smaller than one quarter inch (6 mm) high shall be placed in all elevators cars, with the following wording: ALL ACCIDENTS ON OR DAMAGE TO ELEVATORS ARE TO BE …

3011 AMENDMENTS TO STANDARD ASME A17.1 3011.1 ASME A17.1, Section 1.2.1. Strike Section 1.2.1 of ASME A17.1 and insert new Section 1.2.1 in ASME A17.1 in its place to read as follows: 1.2.1 Purpose. The purpose of ASME A17.1/CSA B44, Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators, is t…

3101 GENERAL Insert new Section 3101.2 in the Building Code to read as follows: 3101.2 Other requirements. Special construction encroaching into the public right-of-way or public space shall conform to the pertinent standards set forth in Chapter 32, and other applicable requirem…

3102 MEMBRANE STRUCTURES Strike Section 3102.1 in the International Building Code and insert new Section 3102.1 in the Building Code in its place to read as follows: 3102.1 General. The provisions of Sections 3102.1 through 3102.8 shall apply to air-supported, air-inflated, membr…

3103 TEMPORARY STRUCTURES Strike Section 3103.1 in the International Building Code and insert new Section 3103.1 in the Building Code in its place to read as follows: 3103.1 General. The provisions of Sections 3103.1 through 3103.4 shall apply to structures erected for a period o…

3105 AWNINGS AND CANOPIES Strike Section 3105.1 of the International Building Code in its entirety and insert new Section 3105.1 to the Building Code in its place to read as follows: 3105.1 General. Awnings and canopies shall comply with the requirements of this Section 3105, oth…

3106 MARQUEES Strike Section 3106.1 of the International Building Code in its entirety and insert new Section 3106.1 in the Building Code in its place to read as follows: 3106.1 General. Marquees shall comply with Sections 3106.3 through 3106.5 and other applicable sections of th…

3107 SIGNS Strike Section 3107.1 of the International Building Code in its entirety and insert new Section 3107.1 to the Building Code in its place to read as follows: 3107.1 General. Signs shall be designed, constructed and maintained in accordance with the applicable requiremen…

3112 FENCES Insert new Section 3112 to the Building Code to read as follows: 3112.1 General. Fences shall comply with the requirements of this section, other applicable sections of the Construction Codes and other municipal regulations. All barbed wire and similar fences shall co…

3201 GENERAL Strike Section 3201.1 of the International Building Code in its entirety and insert new Section 3201.1 in the Building Code in its place to read as follows: 3201.1 Scope. The provisions of this chapter shall govern the encroachment of structures or any portion thereo…

3202 PROJECTIONS Strike Sections 3202.1 through 3202.4 of the International Building Code in their entirety and insert new Sections 3202.1 through 3202.14 in the Building Code in their place to read as follows: 3202.1 Character of projections. Projections are a privilege, and can…

3307 PROTECTION OF ADJOINING PROPERTY Strike Section 3307 of the International Building Code in its entirety and insert new Section 3307 in the Building Code in its place to read as follows: 3307.1 Protection required. Adjoining public and private property shall be protected from…

3401 GENERAL Alteration, repair, addition and change of occupancy of existing buildings and structures shall be governed by the Existing Building Code. SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 67 DCR 5690 (May 29, 2020 – Part 2). The District of Columbia Building Code (2017), referr…

CHAPTER 35 REFERENCED STANDARDS Strike the ASME referenced standards in Chapter 35 of the International Building Code in their entirety and insert the following new ASME referenced standards in their place in the Building Code to read as follows: ASME American Society of Mechanic…

403 HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS Strike Section 403.4.5 of the International Building Code in its entirety and insert new Section 403.4.5 in the Building Code in its place to read as follows: 403.4.5 Emergency responder radio coverage. Emergency responder radio coverage shall be provided …

404 ATRIUMS Strike Section 404.5 from the International Building Code and insert a new Section 404.5 into the Building Code in its place to read as follows: 404.5 Smoke control. A smoke control system shall be installed in accordance with Section 909. Exception 1: Except for Grou…

501 GENERAL Strike Section 501.2 of the International Building Code without replacement. SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 67 DCR 5690 (May 29, 2020 – Part 2). The District of Columbia Building Code (2017), referred to as the “Building Code,” consists of the 2015 edition of t…

503 GENERAL BUILDING HEIGHT AND AREA LIMITATIONS Strike Section 503.1.1 of the International Building Code in its entirety and insert new Section 503.1.1 in the Building Code in its place to read as follows: 503.1.1 Special industrial occupancies. Buildings and structures designe…

504 BUILDING HEIGHT AND NUMBER OF STORIES Strike Occupancy Classifications A-2, A-3, B, M, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, S-1 and S-2 in Table 504.4 of the International Building Code in their entirety and insert new Occupancy Classifications A-2, A-3, B, M, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, S-1 and S-2 …

601 GENERAL Strike footnote c to Table 601 in the International Building Code in its entirety and insert new footnote c to Table 601 in the Building Code to read as follows: In all occupancies, heavy timber complying with Section 2304.11 shall be allowed where a 1-hour or less fi…

602 CONSTRUCTION CLASSIFICATION Strike Section 602.4 and Table 602.4 in the International Building Code in their entirety and insert new Section 602.4 in the Building Code to read as follows: 602.4 Type IV. Type IV construction is that type of construction in which the exterior w…

603 COMBUSTIBLE MATERIAL IN TYPES I AND II CONSTRUCTION In Section 603.1 of the International Building Code, strike item 19 and insert a new item 19 in its place in the Building Code to read as follows: 19. Heavy timber as permitted by Note c to Table 601 and Sections 602.4.3 and…

705 EXTERIOR WALLS Strike Sections 705.8 and 705.8.1 in the International Building Code in their entirety (with the exception of Table 705.8) and insert new Sections 705.8 and 705.8.1 in their place in the Building Code to read as follows: 705.8 Openings. Openings in exterior wal…

706 FIRE WALLS Strike Sections 706.1 and 706.1.1 in the International Building Code in their entirety and insert new Sections 706.1 and 706.1.1 in the Building Code in their place to read as follows: 706.1 General. Each portion of a building separated by one or more fire walls th…

717 DUCTS AND AIR TRANSFER OPENINGS Strike Section 717.5.3 of the International Building Code in its entirety and insert new Section 717.5.3 in the Building Code in its place to read as follows: 717.5.3 Shaft enclosures. Shaft enclosures that are permitted to be penetrated by duc…

903 AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEMS Insert new Section 903.3.1.2.3 in the Building Code to read as follows: 903.3.1.2.3 Attics. Attic protection shall be provided as follows: 1. Attics that are used or intended for living purposes or storage shall be protected by an automatic sprinkl…