The public notice of raze permit applications establishes a review period during which communities may seek information and consider historic preservation concerns about a property proposed for demolition. This review also involves a clearance by the Historic Preservation Office (HPO), and sometimes the Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB).

Public Notice of Raze Applications

Two types of public notices are required for raze applications:

• The DC Building Code requires the permit applicant to post and maintain notice of the application on the building for 30 days (12A DCMR § 105.7.1)
• The Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) Act requires the Department of Buildings (DOB) to give ANCs a notice of 30 working days, which is usually about 45 days (DC Official Code §1.309.10(c)). DCRA sends this notice by email.

What if a raze permit is contested on historic grounds?

The DC historic preservation law allows ANCs and community groups with a demonstrated interest in historic preservation to file applications for historic designation at any time. Once an application to designate a historic landmark is filed with HPO, the property is protected by law for 90 days to allow HPRB time to determine whether the property meets historic landmark designation criteria.

During this 90-day temporary protection period, DOB may not issue the raze permit for the property. If HPRB determines that the property does not meet the criteria, HPO completes the preservation review by clearing the raze application. 

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