14 DCMR § 14-804
RATPROOFING
Operative Text
804.1 Every residential building shall be ratproofed and maintained in a ratproof condition by the owner or licensee of that building. 804.2 Ratproofing shall include construction designed to prevent rats from entering a building by blocking off or stopping up all passages by which rats may gain entry. 804.3 Ratproofing shall also include the closing of openings in exterior walls with materials through which rats cannot penetrate. 804.4 Ratproofing shall also include such interior rat stoppage, harborage removal, and cleanup as may be necessary to reduce or eliminate rat-breeding places.
Under D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 et seq. § 14-804, every residential building in the District of Columbia must be ratproofed and kept in a ratproof condition. This requirement covers physical construction measures that block rat entry points in exterior walls and other openings, as well as interior measures to remove harborage and eliminate conditions that allow rats to breed. The obligation applies on an ongoing basis, not just at the time of initial construction or occupancy.
Plain English — not legal advice.
D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 et seq. § 14-804 places the ratproofing obligation squarely on building owners and licensees. Compliant operators generally conduct regular inspections of exterior walls, foundations, and utility penetrations to identify and seal potential rat entry points using materials rats cannot penetrate, and they address interior conditions—such as clutter, debris, or structural voids—that could serve as harborage or breeding sites. Maintaining documentation of inspections and remediation work is a practice commonly associated with demonstrating ongoing compliance with this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
§ 14-804 of the D.C. Municipal Regulations gives tenants the right to live in a building that is ratproofed and maintained in a ratproof condition, with the responsibility for that condition resting on the owner or licensee. If a tenant observes signs of rat activity or conditions that suggest the building is not being maintained as required under D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 et seq. § 14-804, they may have grounds to file a complaint with the District's housing inspection authorities or raise the violation in relevant housing proceedings. Tenant-rights organizations in the District can provide general information about available complaint processes and tenant protections related to habitability conditions like this one.
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.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation