D.C. Code tit. 8 § 8-231.16
Criminal penalties.
Operative Text
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, any person who knowingly or willingly violates the provisions of this subchapter, or its implementing rules, shall be subject, upon conviction, to a fine of not more than $ 25,000 for each day of each violation, imprisonment for not more than one year, or both. (b) Falsification of information required by this subchapter shall be a violation of this subchapter. (c) In determining the severity of a criminal penalty, the Superior Court of the District of Columbia shall take into account the nature, circumstances, extent, gravity, actual or potential harm to the environment, and actual or potential harm to human health of the violation or violations and, with respect to the violator, ability to pay, effect on ability to continue to do business, any history of prior such violations, the degree of culpability, and such other matters as justice may require. (d) All prosecutions under this section shall be in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia in the name of the District of Columbia and shall be instituted by the Attorney General for the District of Columbia.
D.C. Code § 8-231.16 establishes criminal penalties for knowing or willful violations of the District of Columbia's lead-paint subchapter or its implementing rules. A convicted person may face fines of up to $25,000 for each day of each violation, up to one year of imprisonment, or both. Falsifying required information is itself treated as a violation, and courts weigh factors such as harm to human health, environmental impact, and the violator's history when determining penalty severity.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under D.C. Code § 8-231.16 should be aware that deliberate or knowing failures to comply with the District's lead-paint requirements can result in criminal prosecution, not merely civil penalties. Compliant operators maintain accurate records, submit truthful disclosures, and follow all implementing rules to avoid conduct that could be characterized as willful noncompliance. Because falsification of required information is explicitly treated as a violation under this section, ensuring the integrity of all submitted documentation is a core operational responsibility.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
D.C. Code § 8-231.16 gives tenants important context: violations of the District's lead-paint rules by landlords or other responsible parties can rise to the level of criminal conduct, prosecuted by the Attorney General for the District of Columbia in Superior Court. If a tenant believes a landlord has knowingly disregarded lead-paint requirements or falsified required information, that concern can be reported to the D.C. Attorney General's office or a local tenant-rights organization. Tenants may also explore whether documented violations under this subchapter are relevant to other remedies available under District housing law.
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 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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