User Guide Certificate of Occupancy

Certifi serves as DOB's comprehensive platform for you to apply for, track, and receive your approved Certificate of Occupancy (CofO). Our new platform allows users to see at a glance how different DOB reviews require certain documents, clarifies and simplifies the application process by allowing users to move through a step-by-step path based on their project's needs, and increases transparency and efficiency of the review process for applicants and DOB reviewers.

You may log in to Certifi using your single sign on Access DC account on Certifi's home page. Once you have logged in, you may begin new applications for a CofO. Once users have in-progress applications on Certifi, they can view application status, contact DOB for questions, and make payment online. For more specific information, DOB has created substantive user guides.

The purpose of a Certificate of Occupancy (CofO) is to ensure that the use of a building, structure or land in the District of Columbia conforms to the Zoning Regulations (DCMR Title 11) and the DC Construction Code (DCMR Title 12A), and the Green Building Act. Per DCMR title 12A Section 110.3 no person can use a building, structure or land in the District of Columbia for any purpose other than a single family dwelling, until a valid CofO has been issued.

There are six (6) types of CofO applications: ownership change, use change, occupant load change, revision, temporary occupancy, and new building. For new buildings, there are three (3) CofO subsets: conditional, completion of core and shell, and establishment of a new occupancy. Certifi will guide you through each of these application types.

1. Submit your application through Certifi using an Access DC account as described in this user guide.

2. The application will be screened, either accepted for review or deemed incomplete and temporarily placed on hold. Should outstanding items exist, i.e., missing supporting documents or unresolved building permits, trade permits, incomplete wall tests, or inspection reports for the property, the Department of Buildings (DOB) staff will not accept a Certificate of Occupancy (CofO) application.

3. As soon as the application has been accepted, it will be routed for concurrent review to the required divisions and the Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE), if applicable.

4. Following the completion and approval of all reviews, and any required inspections that have been passed, the CofO certificate will be ready for issuance.

5. Invoices can be downloaded from Certifi.

6. Upon receipt of fees, the certificate can also be downloaded using Certifi.

For change of ownership applications where the only change is the owner/operator, and there is no change to the approved use, load, or occupied square footage, and where an inspection is not required, the service level agreement (SLA) time frame for DOB review is one (1) business day. For all other types of applications, e.g., use or load change, temporary or conditional, new construction and core and shell, the SLA is seven (7) business days from the date that the application is accepted for review. Please note that if a particular division or agency has questions or requests additional information, the SLA clock will stop until the customer has responded. An SLA clock is a feature in Certifi that will show the status of the overall review for each CofO application.

Visit dob.dc.gov/service/get-certificate-occupancy.