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Are building permits public record in the District of Columbia?
Yes. Building permits issued in the District of Columbia are public records under the D.C. Freedom of Information Act (D.C. Code § 2-531 et seq.). Many cities, including Washington, DC, also publish them as free open data that anyone can download and search.
By Matt K, Founder & CEO, PermitWire · Updated November 11, 2026
What a the District of Columbia permit record includes
Records usually show the address, permit type, a description of the work, the declared project value, the issue date and often the contractor of record. Owner names and phone numbers are often redacted or left out of open-data feeds.
Using the District of Columbia permit records for sales
Contractors may use public permit records to find projects. Mail and door-to-door outreach are the simplest routes. For calls and texts, check the National Do Not Call Registry and federal TCPA rules, and get consent before any automated text.
PermitWire cities in the District of Columbia
- Washington, DC building permits (570 in the latest run) · official source
This page is general information, not legal advice.