D.C. Code tit. 42 § 42-3601

Definitions.

In Force
Verified 10/26/2026 · Next check 11/2/2026
effective 10/12/2026District of ColumbiaEviction & Just Cause

Operative Text

D.C. Code tit. 42 § 42-3601
For the purposes of this subchapter, the term:

(1) “Civic association” means:

(A) A nonprofit association, corporation, or other organization that is:

(i) Comprised of residents of a community within which a nuisance is located;

(ii) Operated exclusively for the promotion of social welfare and general neighborhood improvement and enhancement; and

(iii) Exempt from taxation under § 501(c)(3) or (4) of the Internal Revenue Code; or

(B) A nonprofit association, corporation, or other organization that is:

(i) Comprised of residents of a contiguous community that is defined by specific geographic boundaries, within which a nuisance is located; and

(ii) Operated for the promotion of the welfare, improvement, and enhancement of that community.

(2) “Closure” means the closing of a rental unit or housing accommodation.

(3) “Community association” means:

(A) A nonprofit association, corporation, or other organization that is:

(i) Comprised of residents of a community within which a nuisance is located;

(ii) Operated exclusively for the promotion of social welfare and general neighborhood improvement and enhancement; and

(iii) Exempt from taxation under § 501(c)(3) or (4) of the Internal Revenue Code; or

(B) A nonprofit association, corporation, or other organization that is:

(i) Comprised of residents of a contiguous community that is defined by specific geographic boundaries, within which a nuisance is located; and

(ii) Operated for the promotion of the welfare, improvement, and enhancement of that community.

(4) “Controlled dangerous substance” means any of the controlled dangerous substances as defined in § 48-901.02(4) .

(5) “Controlled Substances Act” means the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, approved October 27, 1970 (84 Stat. 1243; 21 U.S.C. § 801 et seq.).

(6) “Court” means the Landlord and Tenant Branch of the Civil Division of the Superior Court.

(7) “District” means the District of Columbia.

(8) “Drug haven” means a housing accommodation, or land appurtenant to or common areas of a housing accommodation where drugs are illegally stored, manufactured, used, or distributed.

(9) “Drug-related eviction” means an eviction pursuant to this subchapter.

(10) “Drug” means a controlled substance as defined in § 33-504(4) [repealed] or the Controlled Substances Act.

(11) “Housing accommodation” means a building that is or contains at least one rental unit and the land appurtenant to the building.

(12) “Housing provider” means:

(A) A landlord, owner, lessor, sublessor, or assignee;

(B) The agent of a landlord, owner, lessor, sublessor, or assignee; or

(C) A person entitled to receive compensation for the use or occupancy of a rental unit within a housing accommodation.

(13) “Internal Revenue Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, approved October 22, 1986 (100 Stat. 2085; 26 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.).

(14) “Manufacture” shall have the same meaning as that term has in § 48-901.02(13) or the Controlled Substances Act.

(15) “Nuisance” means a property that is used:

(A) By persons who assemble for the specific purpose of illegally using a controlled dangerous substance;

(B) For the illegal manufacture or distribution of:

(i) A controlled dangerous substance; or

(ii) Drug paraphernalia, as defined in § 48-1101(3) ; or

(C) For the illegal storage or concealment of a controlled dangerous substance in sufficient quantity to reasonably indicate under all the circumstances an intent to manufacture, distribute, or dispense:

(i) A controlled dangerous substance; or

(ii) Drug paraphernalia, as defined in § 48-1101(3) .

(16) “Occupant” means a person authorized by the tenant or housing provider to be on the premises of the rental unit.

(17) “Rental unit” means an apartment, room, or part of a publicly or privately owned housing accommodation that is rented or offered for rent for residential occupancy, and the land appurtenant to the apartment, room, or part of the housing accommodation.

(18) “Resident association” means an organization of residents of a multifamily building or a single complex of jointly managed multifamily buildings.

(19) “Tenant” means a lessee, sublessee, or other person entitled to the possession or occupancy of a rental unit.

(20) “Uniform Controlled Substances Act” means Chapter 9 of Title 48 .
Source: Legislative text reproduced verbatim
Plain English

D.C. Code § 42-3601 et seq. establishes the foundational vocabulary for the District of Columbia's drug-related eviction subchapter. It defines key terms—such as "drug haven," "nuisance," "housing provider," and "tenant"—that govern how the law applies to rental properties where controlled substances are illegally stored, manufactured, used, or distributed. These definitions determine which properties, people, and organizations fall within the scope of the subchapter's rules and enforcement mechanisms. Understanding these terms is essential for interpreting any right, obligation, or remedy described elsewhere in the subchapter.

Written by anthropic/claude-sonnet-4.6 · Reviewed on October 13, 2026

Plain English — not legal advice.

For Property Managers

Under D.C. Code § 42-3601 et seq., housing providers—a category that includes landlords, owners, lessors, and their agents—are subject to this subchapter whenever their property meets the definition of a "drug haven" or "nuisance." Compliant operators generally familiarize themselves with these definitions, since the terms "housing accommodation," "rental unit," and "occupant" determine the precise scope of their responsibilities and potential exposure. Knowing how "manufacture," "controlled dangerous substance," and related terms are defined helps housing providers understand what conduct on their property could trigger proceedings under this subchapter.

General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.

For Tenants

D.C. Code § 42-3601 et seq. defines "tenant" broadly to include lessees, sublessees, and others entitled to possess or occupy a rental unit, which affects who has standing to assert rights or contest actions taken under this subchapter. The definitions of "nuisance" and "drug haven" are particularly relevant to tenants, because they set the threshold conditions that must be met before a drug-related eviction proceeding can be initiated. Tenants who believe a proceeding has been initiated based on a misapplication of these definitions may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider familiar with D.C. housing law for general information about available options.

General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.

Generated October 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.

Effective Timeline

Current
Oct 12, 2026
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References Out

Rules and statutes cited by this regulation

21 U.S.C. § 801
Not yet ingested
26 U.S.C. § 1
Not yet ingested
D.C. Code § 48-901.02
Not yet ingested
D.C. Code § 33-504
Not yet ingested
D.C. Code § 48-1101
Not yet ingested

References In

Rules and statutes that cite this regulation

D.C. Code § 42-3602
D.C. Code § 42-3602
D.C. Code § 42-3602
D.C. Code § 42-3601
D.C. Code § 42-3601
D.C. Code § 42-3601

Related Rules

§ 151.20
TEMPORARY EVICTION CONTROLS AND RENT REDUCTIONS FOR MOBILE HOMES DAMAGED IN THE JANUARY, 1994 EARTHQUAKE
§ 1
Definitions
§ 2
Eviction of tenants prohibited; exceptions

Source Information

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