14 DCMR § 14-605
ELECTRICAL OUTLETS
Operative Text
605.1 Each habitable room shall be provided with at least two (2) separate electric outlets, at least one (1) of which shall be a wall or floor convenience outlet. 605.2 Each furnace room, laundry room, stairway, and bathroom shall be provided with at least one (1) electric light outlet.
Under D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 et seq. § 14-605, every habitable room in a residential dwelling must have at least two separate electrical outlets, with at least one being a wall or floor convenience outlet. Additionally, utility and common spaces such as furnace rooms, laundry rooms, stairways, and bathrooms must each have at least one electric light outlet. This provision establishes minimum electrical access standards intended to ensure safe and functional living conditions throughout a dwelling.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Compliance with D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 et seq. § 14-605 generally means that operators verify each habitable room contains at least two separate electrical outlets, one of which is a wall or floor convenience outlet, before a unit is occupied. Furnace rooms, laundry rooms, stairways, and bathrooms should each be equipped with at least one functioning electric light outlet. Routine property inspections that include checking outlet counts and light fixtures in these designated spaces are a common practice among compliant operators.
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. § 14-605 gives tenants a basis to raise concerns if their habitable rooms lack the required minimum of two electrical outlets or if utility spaces like bathrooms and laundry rooms are missing required light outlets. Tenants who believe their unit falls short of these standards may consider filing a complaint with the District of Columbia's housing inspection authority or raising the deficiency as a defense in relevant housing proceedings. Tenant-rights organizations in the District can provide general information about how this provision is typically enforced and what documentation may be useful.
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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