New and Important Changes to DCRA C of O process for Third Party Inspections
DCRA had been overhauling all departments over the past year and with that comes updates to the Certificate of Occupancy Process. While the process and forms has relatively stayed the same, there is one glaring difference that is taking an extended period of time to get approved.
Lets start at the beginning of the process:
Step 1-First an application and all supporting documents must be submitted.
IT IS STRONGLY ADVISED THAT ALL INSPECTIONS FOR A GIVEN PROJECT BE SUBMITTED TO DCRA FOR APPROVAL (rough-ins, MEP, finals, etc).
Step 3: DCRA will require an “Oversight Inspection” on any C of O where third party inspections are used. For the inspection a 2 hour window will be given, and someone affiliated with the project will be required to be on site with a set of the approved building plans and copy of the permit.
Step 4: DCRA will notify the application/agent notifying them that the C of O has been approved and is ready for Issuance. DCRA will also notify the applicant/ agent if there are any items missing from the inspections.
This C of O process has changed a few times in the last month and DCRA will continue to make adjustments until they are able to streamline the process while putting in there new required safe guards. One big issue we have seen is that if ALL inspections are not submitted with the correct floor number or suite number on the inspection reports DCRA will request that they are correct and resubmitted. This will most likely delay the scheduling of the oversight inspections, and review/ approval.
Biggest take away I want you to get from this update is to allow yourself and your team enough time in the process to get the C of O’s done. We have seen them take up to 4 weeks for approval. That is a major change from the same day C of O’s we were able to offer a couple short months ago. As always the team at DC Permit Solutions is available to come in and talk with your group about any of the important changes that are happening from the permit end to include but not limited to
DCRA had been overhauling all departments over the past year and with that comes updates to the Certificate of Occupancy Process. While the process and forms has relatively stayed the same, there is one glaring difference that is taking an extended period of time to get approved.
Lets start at the beginning of the process:
Step 1-First an application and all supporting documents must be submitted.
- Authorization to act
- First page and signed copy of Lease
- Building permit
- Copy of inspection reports
IT IS STRONGLY ADVISED THAT ALL INSPECTIONS FOR A GIVEN PROJECT BE SUBMITTED TO DCRA FOR APPROVAL (rough-ins, MEP, finals, etc).
Step 3: DCRA will require an “Oversight Inspection” on any C of O where third party inspections are used. For the inspection a 2 hour window will be given, and someone affiliated with the project will be required to be on site with a set of the approved building plans and copy of the permit.
Step 4: DCRA will notify the application/agent notifying them that the C of O has been approved and is ready for Issuance. DCRA will also notify the applicant/ agent if there are any items missing from the inspections.
This C of O process has changed a few times in the last month and DCRA will continue to make adjustments until they are able to streamline the process while putting in there new required safe guards. One big issue we have seen is that if ALL inspections are not submitted with the correct floor number or suite number on the inspection reports DCRA will request that they are correct and resubmitted. This will most likely delay the scheduling of the oversight inspections, and review/ approval.
Biggest take away I want you to get from this update is to allow yourself and your team enough time in the process to get the C of O’s done. We have seen them take up to 4 weeks for approval. That is a major change from the same day C of O’s we were able to offer a couple short months ago. As always the team at DC Permit Solutions is available to come in and talk with your group about any of the important changes that are happening from the permit end to include but not limited to
- New third party review requirements
- What can be a walk through and what must go project docs
- Green building review codes and changes
- New flood zone that go into effect this fall
- Expected turn times for your projects