14 DCMR § 14-606
WATER HEATING FACILITIES
Operative Text
606.1 Each residential building shall be provided with a water heating facility which is properly connected with the hot water lines of the required fixtures, and which is capable of providing sufficient hot water at a temperature of not less than one hundred twenty degrees Fahrenheit (120° F.) at those fixtures to meet normal demands. 606.2 Where the hot water heating facility is not under the control of the occupant of any habitation, the owner or licensee of that residential building shall provide and maintain a continuous supply of running hot water to meet normal needs. 606.3 The owner of a single-family dwelling, occupied in whole or in part by a tenant or tenants in which one (1) or more housing violation notices were issued because of a defective water heating facility, under the control of the owner, and whose water heating facility is separate from the central heating system, shall cause the water heating facility to be inspected by a qualified person in the period between March 1 and September 1, subsequent to the issuance of the violation notices. 606.4 In addition to testing the efficiency of the water heating facility, the flues, vents and dampers shall be inspected for escape of carbon monoxide gas. 606.5 The findings on inspection shall be recorded on forms approved by the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (“Department”) within fifteen (15) days following the inspection and shall be delivered to the owner, who shall file a copy with the Department within seven (7) days of receipt of the findings. 606.6 The owner shall correct all defects as found upon the inspection before October 1 of that year and shall certify to the Department that the corrections have been made. 606.7 The owner of a multiple dwelling containing two (2) or more units, whose water heating facility is separate from the central heating system, shall cause the water heating facility to be inspected by a qualified person between March 1 and September 1 of each year. 606.8 Pursuant to § 606.7, in addition to testing the efficiency of the water heating facility, the valves, vents and dampers shall be inspected for escape of carbon monoxide gas. 606.9 Pursuant to § 606.7, the findings on inspection shall be recorded on forms approved by the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs within fifteen (15) days following the inspection and shall be delivered to the owner, who shall correct all defects as found upon the inspection before October 1 of each year, and shall certify to the Department that the corrections have been made. 606.10 For the purposes of §§ 606.3 through 606.9 and 606.11, the term “qualified person” means a master plumber and gas fitter, heater and air conditioning contractor, master mechanic, licensed by the District of Columbia, or a certified employee of a public utility. 606.11 The certifications required by §§ 606.3 through 606.9 shall be in writing and shall be signed by the owner and by a qualified person.
Under D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 et seq. § 14-606, every residential building in the District of Columbia must have a functioning water heating system capable of delivering hot water at a minimum of 120°F to required fixtures. When the water heating system is not controlled by the occupant, the owner or licensee must maintain a continuous hot water supply. For single-family rentals and multi-unit buildings with water heaters separate from the central heating system, annual inspections by a qualified licensed professional are required between March 1 and September 1, with all defects corrected before October 1 and written certifications filed with the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers subject to D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 et seq. § 14-606 generally schedule annual water heater inspections between March 1 and September 1, using a qualified person as defined by the regulation — such as a D.C.-licensed master plumber, gas fitter, or certified public utility employee. Compliant operators ensure inspection findings are recorded on Department-approved forms within 15 days, delivered to the owner, and a copy filed with the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs within 7 days of receipt. All identified defects are corrected before October 1, and written certifications signed by both the owner and the qualified inspector are submitted to the Department to close out the compliance cycle.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants in D.C. have a right to hot water at a minimum of 120°F under D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 et seq. § 14-606, and where the water heater is owner-controlled, a continuous supply must be maintained. If hot water is unavailable or inadequate, tenants may consider documenting the condition and filing a complaint with the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, which oversees compliance with this provision. Tenant-rights organizations in the District can help explain available remedies, including how a housing code violation under § 14-606 might be raised in relevant legal or administrative proceedings.
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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