Washington DC Housing Code Violations: Notice of Infraction & Blight (2026 Update)

If you own a property in Washington, D.C., the Department of Buildings (DOB) is one of the most aggressive enforcement agencies in the country. Unlike the suburbs where you might get a warning for tall grass, D.C. inspectors issue Notices of Infraction (NOI) that carry immediate, escalating fines.

In 2026, the stakes are even higher. The new Vacant to Vibrant Amendment Act (DC Law 26-41) has tightened the rules for exemptions, and the fine schedule has increased. If you have received a Class 1 Infraction or a Notice of Emergency (NOIE), you are on the clock to fix it before the city liens your property or reclassifies it as “Blighted.”

This guide explains the 2026 fine schedule, the difference between “Routine” and “Emergency” violations, and how to sell your property “As-Is” to stop the enforcement actions immediately.

The 3 Types of DOB Notices

The Department of Buildings (formerly DCRA) separates violations into three categories. The type of notice you received determines your timeline.

1. Notice of Infraction – Routine (NOIR)

• What it is: Minor cosmetic or maintenance issues (peeling paint, broken gutters, tall weeds).
• Timeline: You typically have 60 days to abate (fix) the issue.
• Penalty: If fixed within 60 days, fines are often waived. If not, Class 3 or Class 4 fines begin.

2. Notice of Infraction – Emergency (NOIE)

• What it is: Threats to health or safety (no heat, severe plumbing leaks, structural instability, fire hazards).
• Timeline: You have 24 hours to abate.
• Penalty: Immediate Class 1 or Class 2 fines. If you don’t fix it, the DOB will hire their own contractor to do the work and bill you (a “Special Assessment”).

3. Blight Designation (Class 4 Property)

• What it is: If your code violations are severe (boarded windows, unsafe structure), DOB will classify the property as “Blighted.”
• The Consequence: This is where Code Violations hit your wallet the hardest. A “Blighted” designation triggers the Class 4 Tax Rate ($10.00 per $100 assessed value).
• Note: You cannot appeal the tax rate until you cure the code violations first.

The 2026 Schedule of Fines

Fines in D.C. are adjusted annually for inflation. For 2026, the fines for uncorrected violations have increased.

Warning: These fines are cumulative. A single inspection often results in 5–10 separate citations (e.g., one for each window, one for the roof, one for the trash), totaling $10,000+ in a single day.

New for 2026: The “Vacant to Vibrant” Act

If your property is vacant and has code violations, you previously could claim an exemption for 1 year if you were “actively trying to sell” the house.

The Change: Under DC Law 26-41, the exemption period for residential properties seeking to sell has been reduced to half a tax year (6 months).

• What this means: You no longer have a year to test the market. If you don’t sell within 6 months, the exemptions expire, and the punitive tax rates kick in retroactively.

Your Options: Abate, Appeal, or Sell?

Option 1: Abate the Violation (Fix It)

To stop the fines, you must cure the violation and request a re-inspection.

• The Risk: Opening the door to an inspector often leads to more citations. If you fix the roof but they notice illegal wiring, you get a new ticket.

Option 2: Appeal to OAH

You can fight the ticket at the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH).

• Process: You must file a plea of “Deny” within 15 days.
• Defense: You must prove the violation did not exist on the day of inspection. Fixing it afterwards is not a defense against the initial fine.

Option 3: Sell “As-Is” (Stop the Liability)

If you cannot afford the repairs or the fines are piling up, you can sell the property to a cash buyer.

We Buy Houses with DC Code Violations.

• We Assume the Violations: We sign a “Transfer of Abatement Responsibility” affidavit. This tells DOB that we are now responsible for the repairs, stopping the enforcement action against you.
• We Pay the Fines: If there are unpaid fines or Special Assessment liens on the title, we pay them off at closing.
• Speed: With the new 6-month exemption limit, time is money. We can close in 14 days or less.

Important Contact Information

• Department of Buildings (DOB) – Enforcement
  • Address: 1100 4th Street SW, Washington, DC 20024
  • Phone: (202) 671-3500
  • Website: dob.dc.gov
• Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH)
  • Address: 441 4th Street NW, Suite 450N, Washington, DC 20001
  • Phone: (202) 442-9094
  • Website: oah.dc.gov

Stop The Daily Fines. Sell Your Property Today.

Don’t let a Class 1 violation or a “Blight” designation drain your bank account. Fill out the form below for a cash offer on your property, violations included.

Areas We Serve in Washington, DC

We help homeowners with code violations across the District, including:

• Shaw
• Trinidad
• Deanwood
• Congress Heights
• Petworth
• Eckington
• Ivy City

Disclaimer: Consistent Homebuyers is a real estate investment firm, not a law firm. We do not provide legal advice regarding code enforcement defense or OAH appeals. We recommend consulting with a DC attorney for legal representation.