Building Permit — Washington, DC
DC restaurant build-outs require a building permit from the Department of Buildings before work begins.
What it is. The building/construction permit for restaurant construction, alteration, or tenant improvement.
Who issues it. DC Department of Buildings (DOB) — Permits Division.
When you need it. Before construction/alteration.
How to apply. Apply through the DC permitting system; schedule and pass inspections.
Fees. Per the DOB fee schedule — see source (⟢ VERIFY).
What SpoonSeal tracks. The document(s) you upload for this requirement, with automatic renewal/expiration tracking (Current, Due Soon, Expired). Where the city publishes health-inspection results (e.g., NYC and Chicago), SpoonSeal syncs them automatically; elsewhere they can be added manually.
References
- DC Department of Buildings — https://dob.dc.gov/ — Official source last checked: 2026-07-02
Stay ahead of this requirement
SpoonSeal stores your documents, tracks expirations, and reminds you before anything lapses — so you are always inspection-ready.
Get started free →This guide is informational and not legal advice. Always confirm current requirements with the official agency linked above.