14 DCMR § 14-509
OBSTRUCTIONS TO VENTILATION
Operative Text
509.1 If a habitation is located on the ground floor of a residential building, the yard of the building which lies immediately outside the habitation shall be maintained clear of any obstruction to ventilation for a distance of at least three feet (3 ft.) from the exterior wall of the building, or such further distance as may be required by any other law or regulation. 509.2 A reasonable amount of trees or shrubbery shall not be considered to be a violation of this section.
Under D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 et seq. § 14-509, ground-floor residential units must have the yard immediately outside kept clear of obstructions to ventilation for at least three feet from the exterior wall. Other laws or regulations may require an even greater clearance distance. Notably, a reasonable number of trees or shrubs does not count as a violation of this rule.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of residential buildings with ground-floor units should ensure, in compliance with D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 et seq. § 14-509, that the yard directly outside those units remains free of ventilation obstructions within a minimum three-foot perimeter from the exterior wall. Compliant operators routinely inspect that perimeter for items such as stored materials, equipment, or dense plantings that could impede airflow, while recognizing that a reasonable amount of trees or shrubbery is expressly permitted. Additional clearance requirements imposed by other applicable laws or regulations should also be factored into routine property maintenance.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants in ground-floor units have an interest in knowing that D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 et seq. § 14-509 requires the yard immediately outside their unit to be kept clear of ventilation obstructions for at least three feet from the building's exterior wall. If that clearance appears to be blocked by items other than a reasonable amount of trees or shrubbery, tenants may consider documenting the condition and reaching out to the District of Columbia's housing inspection authorities or a local tenant-rights organization to understand available options. Raising a potential violation of § 14-509 with a housing counselor or legal aid provider can help clarify what remedies or complaint processes 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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