D.C. Code tit. 8 § 8-231.17
No private right of action against the District.
Operative Text
Nothing in this subchapter is intended to, or does, create a private right of action against the government of the District of Columbia and its officers, employees, agents, representatives, contractors, successors, and assigns based upon compliance or noncompliance with its provisions. No person or entity may assert any claim or right as a beneficiary or protected class under this subchapter in any civil, criminal, or administrative action against the District of Columbia.
D.C. Code § 8-231.01 et seq. § 8-231.17 establishes that the lead-paint safety subchapter does not create any legal basis for suing the District of Columbia government—including its officers, employees, contractors, or agents—for either following or failing to follow the subchapter's requirements. No individual or organization can claim protected-class or beneficiary status under this subchapter to bring a civil, criminal, or administrative action against the District.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under D.C. Code § 8-231.01 et seq. § 8-231.17, property owners and managers should understand that this provision limits legal exposure for the District government itself, not for private landlords. Compliant operators still remain subject to the substantive lead-safety obligations set out elsewhere in the subchapter, and this section does not shield private parties from enforcement actions or tenant claims arising under those obligations.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
D.C. Code § 8-231.01 et seq. § 8-231.17 means that the subchapter's lead-safety rules cannot be used as the basis for a lawsuit directly against the District of Columbia government or its representatives. Tenants who believe their rights under the broader lead-safety subchapter have been violated by a private landlord or property manager may still have other avenues available, such as filing a complaint with a relevant local agency or consulting a tenant-rights organization to understand what remedies may apply.
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.
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