14 DCMR § 14-905
COMBUSTIBLE REFUSE AND DEBRIS
Operative Text
905.1 No old rags, paper, or other like refuse material, gathered or recovered from any sources, shall be brought into or allowed to remain within any building used as a dwelling. 905.2 It shall be the duty of the operator of a housing business to maintain the premises, excepting those portions under the exclusive control of the tenant or tenants, free from combustible refuse and debris, accumulated grease, or oil spillage. 905.3 The operator of a housing business shall not permit the accumulation or rags, waste paper, broken furniture, or any combustible junk in any portions of the premises under the operator’s control. 905.4 The tenant of a housing business shall not permit the accumulation of rags, waste paper, broken furniture, or any combustible junk in any portions of the premises under the tenant’s control.
Under D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 et seq. § 14-905, both building operators and tenants share responsibility for keeping dwelling premises free of combustible refuse such as rags, waste paper, broken furniture, and similar junk. Operators are responsible for common areas and any portions of the premises not under a tenant's exclusive control, while tenants bear responsibility for the areas they control. The rule also prohibits bringing salvaged or recovered combustible materials into any dwelling building.
Plain English — not legal advice.
D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 et seq. § 14-905 places a clear duty on housing operators to keep all areas under their control—hallways, basements, mechanical rooms, and other common spaces—free of accumulated combustible refuse, grease, and oil spillage. Compliant operators typically conduct regular inspections of shared spaces, promptly remove combustible debris, and establish policies that prevent the storage of items like waste paper or broken furniture in operator-controlled areas. Maintaining documentation of these inspections and cleanups can help demonstrate 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.
Under D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 et seq. § 14-905, tenants have a responsibility to keep the portions of the premises they control free from accumulated combustible materials such as rags, waste paper, and broken furniture. Tenants who believe their building's operator is failing to maintain common areas in compliance with this provision may consider filing a complaint with the District of Columbia's housing inspection authorities or reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization for guidance on available options. Understanding both the tenant's own obligations and the operator's separate duties under § 14-905 can be useful context when navigating any housing condition concerns.
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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