DC Government

Photo by PoPville flickr user nevermindtheend

“Dear PoPville,

I want to share my recent experience with securing a certificate of occupancy to legally rent out a basement townhouse unit.

Simply put, the process is oppressive and miserable. You start by trying to navigate the DCRA website, which lumps a simple 2-unit house application in with every construction and zoning application, meaning that it’s basically as complex to get this done as to get permission to build a 12 unit apartment building. Without any clear instructions, the homeowner has to fill out as many forms with as much information as possible, hoping it’s all correct and complete. Then you go to DCRA in person. This will take an entire work day, so don’t think you can do it on your lunch hour. You then wait for several hours for you number to get called, at which time the most likely scenario is they’ll tell you that you’re missing necessary paperwork. You may be able to fill out the missing forms onsite if you’re lucky although this means getting a new ticket and going back to the end of the line. If you’re unlucky, you’ll have to redo all your paperwork and come back another day, starting the process all over.

Once you finally have the process completed (and wait on line at several different DCRA windows in the same building, with each line stretching more at least an hour), you can get a code to call an automated number to have an inspector come to your house. You can choose the day of the inspection but you’re not given a window of time, so you’ll have to take another day off from work to wait for the inspector.

The actual inspection is a crapshoot. You might get lucky, but chances are they’ll find something they don’t like. Hopefully it’s an easy fix, like not having enough fire extinguishers. You’ll fail the inspection but have the opportunity to fix the problem and reschedule it. You’ll now be taking your third day off from work for the second inspection.

If you’ve made it this far and actually get an approved inspection, you’re not done. You now need to take your original application back to DCRA and get additional approvals from two different offices. This will be your fourth full day off from work. Then and only then will you have an official CofO, making your apartment legal to rent.

At one time in the past, it seemed like DCRA was making an effort to be more consumer-friendly, including a special blog explaining and streamlining this process for homeowners. That’s all been removed and canceled, so far as I can tell.

This insane process makes it virtually impossible to follow the law, no matter how hard you try. It’s truly DC government at its worst.”

“Dear PoPville,

I was walking down New Hampshire Ave in Petworth this morning to go to the metro, and noticed that all the sidewalks were salted with the same ice melt. I noticed at first because my sidewalk was salted, and I didn’t salt it (but yes, I did clear it of snow with a shovel), and the salt extended to the stairs up to my house. Later down the street, I noticed that the salt also reached peoples’ front yards in the grass. Does DC go around with a truck and salt some sidewalks? I had never seen/noticed this before.”

Photo by PoPville flickr user betterthaneverfine

From the Mayor’s office:

“Mayor Muriel Bowser released the following statement in response to the United States Olympic Committees’ announcement that Boston won the United States’ bid for the 2024 Olympics:

“Despite today’s outcome, I am proud of how the District and the region presented. I want to thank the talented and hardworking Washingtonians whose efforts got us to the short list of American cities.

“I also want to congratulate Mayor Marty Walsh and the City of Boston for winning the right to represent our great nation to compete on the world stage for the 2024 Olympic Games. They have my full support, and I will be cheering them on to bring the games to America.

“All was not lost, however. We must build on the tremendous regional and federal cooperation embodied in the DC 2024 Olympic bid, in focusing on the big issues facing our region—transportation, affordable housing and expanding job opportunities for residents in the District of Columbia.”

Photo by PoPville flickr user Jordan Barab

From a press release:

“Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser named Brian Kenner, City Manager of Takoma Park, MD, as Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED).

“Making housing more affordable and creating more good paying jobs are my top priorities as Mayor. Brian will hit the ground running and lead my Administration’s efforts on both those fronts. Together, we will grow the economy and deliver a fresh start for all Washingtonians,” said Mayor Bowser.

“Economic development and job creation are driving forces of the District’s economy and I am thrilled to return to this vibrant and diverse city,” said Brian Kenner. “My job on day one is to provide residents and businesses the top notch quality of services they deserve and expect from a world-class city.”

Most recently, Kenner served as City Manager of Takoma Park, Maryland, managing the city’s day-to-day operations. Before taking over management of the Washington suburb, Kenner served as the Chief Operating Officer for the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development for the District of Columbia. In addition to his familiarity with DMPED’s portfolio, Kenner’s work for the District of Columbia included managing the team that completed the reuse plan for the Walter Reed Army Medical Center site. (more…)

From @DCGovWeb:

“Christmas tree removal info. Trees collected between Dec 28 and Jan 10”

More from DC.gov:

“Holiday trees and greenery will be collected between December 28 and January 10 and will be composted. Trees and greenery collected after January 10 will be collected with the trash as space permits in the truck. Please remove ornaments, tinsel and other decorations and put the tree(s) and greenery where your trash and recycling are collected.”