D.C. Code tit. 42 § 42-3610
Rules.
Operative Text
(a) The Mayor shall issue proposed rules to implement the provisions of this subchapter. The proposed rules shall be submitted to the Council for a 45-day period of review, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, legal holidays, and days of Council recess. If the Council does not approve or disapprove the proposed rules, in whole or in part, by resolution within this 45-day review period, the proposed rules shall be deemed approved. Nothing in this section shall affect any requirements imposed upon the Mayor by subchapter I of Chapter 5 of Title 2 . (b) The Mayor may issue emergency rules without prior Council approval, which shall be effective for not more than 120 days.
D.C. Code § 42-3601 et seq. § 42-3610 establishes the process by which the Mayor of the District of Columbia creates and issues rules to carry out the housing subchapter it governs. Proposed rules must be submitted to the D.C. Council for a 45-day review window, after which silence counts as approval. In urgent situations, the Mayor may bypass that review process and issue emergency rules that remain in effect for up to 120 days.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under the D.C. housing provisions governed by D.C. Code § 42-3601 et seq. § 42-3610 should monitor both the regular rulemaking cycle and any emergency rules the Mayor may issue, since both carry legal force. Compliant operators generally track Council resolutions and mayoral emergency orders to ensure their practices align with the most current regulatory requirements. Staying current with the District's rulemaking notices helps operators avoid inadvertent non-compliance when rules change on short timelines.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
D.C. Code § 42-3601 et seq. § 42-3610 shapes the rules that govern tenant protections under this subchapter, meaning changes to those protections can occur through either the standard Council-review process or through emergency rules effective for up to 120 days. Tenants who believe a landlord's conduct violates current rules may have grounds to raise that violation as a defense in a proceeding or to file a complaint with the relevant District agency. Tenant-rights organizations in the District can help renters understand which rules are currently in effect and what enforcement paths are available.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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