PlainPermit

Do I need a permit for a driveway or patio in Washington, DC?

Short answer: It depends on the details for a driveway or patio in Washington, DC (for example: Public space: DDOT permit).

Last verified: · Confidence: medium · Status: Verified from official source

Not legal advice. Always confirm with your local building department. Rules change, and your parcel's zoning, HOA, historic district, floodplain or utility work can change the answer. We show the official source and the date we last checked it so you can verify for yourself.
Depends on your project Confidence: medium

In-kind replacement of private sidewalks, driveways and patios needs no permit outside historic districts. Work in public space needs a DDOT public space permit.

What changes the answer

Note: We did not find a rule for new driveways or patios.

Cost

Fee not extracted; see DC DOB fees. Unverified, confirm locally

Fee source: https://dob.dc.gov/page/get-permit

Where to apply

DC Department of Buildings (DOB) online permits

Permitting authority: District of Columbia Department of Buildings (DOB). Covers the District of Columbia. Historic districts remove most exemptions. Work in public space (including many front yards and alleys) needs a separate DDOT public space permit. See also: how to apply for a building permit.

Official sources

“Replacement in-kind of one of the items listed hereafter.”

Source: https://dob.dc.gov/page/get-permit

“Private sidewalks and driveways”

Source: https://dob.dc.gov/page/get-permit

“Any construction done on public space requires a separate public space permit from the District Department of Transportation.”

Source: https://dob.dc.gov/instantpermits

Verified: · Status: verified · Confidence: medium

See something wrong or out of date? Report a correction (anonymous, no email needed).

Other projects in Washington

Driveway or patio permits in other cities

Compare driveway or patio permit rules in all 25 cities · All District of Columbia cities