D.C. Code tit. 8 § 8-241.01
Definitions.
Operative Text
For the purposes of this chapter, the term: (1) “Director” means the Director of the District Department of the Environment. (2) “Dwelling unit” means a building or structure used or designed to be used, in whole or in part, as a living or sleeping place for one or more persons. (3) “Indoor mold assessment professional” means an indoor mold assessor certified and licensed by the District in accordance with § 8-241.03 . (4) “Indoor mold” means living or dead fungi or related products or parts, including spores hyphae, and mycotoxins, on an interior surface of a building, including common spaces, utility spaces, HVAC, or other systems. (5) “Indoor mold contamination” means indoor mold at or above the threshold established under § 8-241.02(a)(1) . (6) “Indoor mold remediation professional” means an indoor mold remediator certified and licensed by the District in accordance with § 8-241.03 . (7) “Professional indoor mold assessment” means an indoor mold assessment conducted by an indoor mold assessment professional. (8) “Professional indoor mold remediation” means an indoor mold remediation conducted by an indoor mold remediation professional.
D.C. Code § 8-241.01 et seq. establishes the foundational vocabulary for the District of Columbia's indoor mold law. It defines key terms—such as 'indoor mold,' 'indoor mold contamination,' 'dwelling unit,' and the credentials required of assessment and remediation professionals—that govern how the rest of the chapter is interpreted and applied. These definitions set the scope of who and what is covered, distinguishing, for example, between ordinary mold presence and contamination that meets a regulatory threshold.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under D.C. Code § 8-241.01 et seq., property owners and managers operating dwelling units in the District should be familiar with how the law defines 'indoor mold contamination,' since that threshold—set elsewhere in the chapter—determines when formal obligations are triggered. Compliant operators generally ensure that any mold assessment or remediation work performed on their properties is carried out by professionals who are certified and licensed by the District as defined in this section. Understanding these definitions helps operators correctly identify when they are dealing with a regulated condition versus routine maintenance.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
D.C. Code § 8-241.01 et seq. defines the terms that underpin tenant protections related to indoor mold in District dwelling units. Knowing what qualifies as 'indoor mold contamination' and what credentials a legitimate 'indoor mold assessment professional' or 'indoor mold remediation professional' must hold can help tenants evaluate whether work done in their home meets the law's standards. Tenants who believe their unit has a mold issue may find it useful to consult a tenant-rights organization or review the District's guidance on how these definitions connect to landlord obligations elsewhere in the chapter.
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.
Effective Timeline
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation