14 DCMR § 14-2515
CONSTRUCTION WORK IN OCCUPIED BUILDINGS OR DWELLINGS
Operative Text
2515.1 Where construction work is conducted in an occupied rental unit within an apartment building, the owner shall comply with the District of Columbia Noise Control Act of 1977. 2515.2 Except as provided in subsection 2515.3, in any case where noise from construction, repair, or maintenance work will continue over a period of more than forty-eight (48) hours from the time the work is first initiated until the conclusion of the job (including periods of time when no work is being done) and the noise from the work will exceed sixty (60) decibels, the landlord shall provide the tenant with not less than five (5) days written notice of the construction, repair, or maintenance work, including the dates and times that the work will occur and a description of the work to be done. 2515.3 Subsection 2515.2 shall not apply to emergency work which is necessary to restore property to a safe condition following a public calamity or act of God, or work required to protect the health and safety of persons; provided, that the work shall be undertaken promptly and it is not feasible to provide advance notice.
Under D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 et seq. § 14-2515, when construction, repair, or maintenance work in an occupied rental building is expected to span more than 48 hours and produce noise above 60 decibels, landlords are required to give tenants at least five days' written notice before work begins, including the schedule and a description of the work. All construction noise in occupied rental units must also comply with the District of Columbia Noise Control Act of 1977. An exception exists for genuine emergency work needed to restore safety after a disaster or public calamity, where advance notice is not feasible.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 et seq. § 14-2515 generally track whether planned construction, repair, or maintenance will exceed both the 48-hour duration threshold and the 60-decibel noise level. When both thresholds are met, compliant operators deliver written notice to affected tenants at least five days in advance, specifying the dates, times, and nature of the work. Operators also ensure that all construction activity in occupied units conforms to the District of Columbia Noise Control Act of 1977, and they document emergency situations where advance notice was not feasible.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 et seq. § 14-2515 gives tenants in occupied rental buildings the right to receive at least five days' written notice before noisy construction work lasting more than 48 hours and exceeding 60 decibels begins. If a landlord fails to provide this notice, tenants may have grounds to raise that failure as a violation when dealing with housing authorities or in relevant proceedings. Tenants who believe their rights under this provision have not been honored can contact the D.C. Office of the Tenant Advocate or a local tenant-rights organization to learn 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.
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