DC Department of Consumer & Regulatory Affairs (DCRA)
Washington, DC
Avg Review
38d
Rejection Rate
60%
Skill Files
8
Status
High Risk
Ventilation — DC Type I Hood
12A DCMR (DC Mechanical Code) / NFPA 96Type I hoods per DC Mechanical Code (12A DCMR based on IMC). Exhaust 400 CFM/LF heavy duty. Makeup air required. DC Green Building Act applies to commercial kitchens. DC energy code (12G DCMR) requirements.
Examiner Note: DCRA requires DC Green Building Act compliance for commercial projects. Include green building documentation with permit. LEED or Green Globes certification may be required.
Common rejection: DC Green Building Act compliance not documented; makeup air specifications incomplete
Correction: Include DC Green Building Act compliance documentation with permit. Show makeup air on M-1. Address 12G DCMR energy requirements for kitchen HVAC.
Fire Suppression — DC NFPA 96
NFPA 96 / UL 300 / 12F DCMR (DC Fire Code)UL 300 suppression for Type I hoods. DC Fire & EMS reviews fire plans separately from DCRA. Automatic gas shutoff. Manual pull station at egress. DC Fire requires separate permit.
Examiner Note: DC Fire & EMS requires separate fire suppression permit application. Submit to DC Fire before or concurrent with DCRA building permit.
Common rejection: Fire plans not submitted to DC Fire & EMS separately; suppression interlock with gas shutoff not shown
Correction: Submit fire suppression plans to DC Fire & EMS. Show UL 300 system, gas shutoff interlock, and pull station on FP-1.
Plumbing — DC Grease Interceptor
12B DCMR (DC Plumbing Code) / DC WaterGrease interceptor per DC Plumbing Code (12B DCMR). DC Water reviews FOG compliance. 3-comp sink. Handwash within 25 feet. DC Water may require FOG control plan.
Examiner Note: DC Water FOG program has specific sizing requirements. Submit grease interceptor to DC Water for review.
Common rejection: DC Water FOG review not initiated; grease interceptor sizing not per 12B DCMR
Correction: Submit grease interceptor details to DC Water FOG program. Show sizing per 12B DCMR on P-1.
Electrical — DC Kitchen Circuits
12C DCMR (DC Electrical Code) / NEC w/ DC supplementsDC Electrical Code (12C DCMR based on NEC with DC supplements). GFCI within 6 feet of water. Emergency disconnect. DC-specific licensing requirements for electrical contractors.
Examiner Note: DCRA requires DC master electrician license for commercial work. Include license on application.
Common rejection: DC electrical contractor license not on application; GFCI requirements not met
Correction: Include DC master electrician license on application. Add GFCI within 6 feet of water on E-1. Show emergency disconnect.
Health — DC Food Facility
25 DCMR / DC Health (DOH)DC Department of Health reviews food facility plans per 25 DCMR. Handwash, 3-comp sink, FRP behind cooking, sealed floors. DC Health requires Food Establishment License.
Examiner Note: DC Health requires separate food establishment plan review. Very thorough review — 4-6 week turnaround.
Common rejection: DC Health plan review not submitted; food facility specifications incomplete
Correction: Submit food facility plan to DC Health per 25 DCMR. Apply for Food Establishment License. Show all fixtures and finishes.
Structural — DC Loads
12A DCMR / 2017 IBC w/ DC supplements / ASCE 7-16Seismic Design Category B for DC. Equipment anchorage. Wind design. DC PE required for structural calculations. Historic buildings may have additional structural requirements.
Examiner Note: DCRA requires DC PE stamp. Historic district review may add structural restrictions for older buildings.
Common rejection: Structural calculations not by DC PE; historic district structural considerations not addressed
Correction: Provide DC PE-stamped calculations per 12A DCMR. Address historic district requirements if applicable.
ADA — DC Accessible Design
12A DCMR Ch. 11 / ADA 2010 / DC Human Rights ActDC supplements to IBC Chapter 11. Accessible route 36-inch clear. Accessible restroom. DC Human Rights Act provides additional protections. DC accessibility can exceed federal ADA.
Examiner Note: DCRA reviews accessibility carefully. DC has strong accessibility enforcement and may exceed federal ADA.
Common rejection: Accessible route not meeting DC accessibility supplements; restroom details incomplete
Correction: Show accessible route per 12A DCMR on A-1. Detail restroom per DC accessibility requirements. Address DC Human Rights Act compliance.
Egress — DC Exit Requirements
12A DCMR §1006 / §1017DC supplements to IBC egress. Two exits for 50+ occupants. Travel distance 250/300 feet. Exit signs on emergency power.
Examiner Note: DCRA follows DC supplements to IBC egress. Show occupant load on plans.
Common rejection: Occupant load not on plans; exit signs not on emergency power circuit
Correction: Add occupant load on A-1. Show exit signs on emergency power per 12A DCMR. Dimension travel distance.