14 DCMR § 14-1200
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Operative Text
1200.1 The provisions of this chapter shall be applicable to every building or part of a building occupied, used, or held out for use as an apartment or apartment house, whether tenant or owner occupied. 1200.2 The provisions of chapters 1 through 9 of this subtitle shall also be applicable to premises used or held out for use as an apartment or apartment house; provided, that whenever any provision contained in this chapter conflicts with or supersedes a provision contained in chapters 1 through 9, the provision contained in this chapter shall be applicable. AUTHORITY: Unless otherwise noted, the authority for this chapter is contained at paragraphs 28 and 46 of section 7 of An Act Making appropriations to provide for the expenses of the government of the District of Columbia for the fiscal year ending June thirtieth, nineteen hundred and three, and for other purposes (“Act of 1902”), Public, No.218, 32 Stat. 590, approved July 1, 1902, as amended by: An Act approved July 1, 1932 to amend section 7 [of the Act of 1902], Public, No. 237, 47 Stat. 550; and An Act approved July 22, 1947, Public Law 215, 61 Stat. 402.
D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 et seq. § 14-1200 establishes the scope of the District of Columbia's apartment housing regulations, making them applicable to every building or portion of a building used or held out for use as an apartment or apartment house, regardless of whether it is tenant- or owner-occupied. The provision also integrates the broader housing standards found in chapters 1 through 9 of the same subtitle, while clarifying that when any conflict arises between those general chapters and the apartment-specific rules in this chapter, the apartment-specific rules take precedence. This creates a unified but hierarchical regulatory framework governing residential apartment properties throughout the District.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating apartment buildings in the District of Columbia should be aware that D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 et seq. § 14-1200 brings their properties under the full scope of the District's apartment housing regulations, whether the units are rented to tenants or occupied by the owner. Compliant operators generally familiarize themselves with both the apartment-specific rules in this chapter and the general housing standards in chapters 1 through 9, understanding that the apartment-specific provisions govern whenever the two sets of rules conflict. Keeping current with both layers of regulation helps operators maintain properties that meet all applicable District standards.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants living in apartment buildings in the District of Columbia benefit from the broad coverage established by D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 et seq. § 14-1200, which applies the District's apartment housing regulations to virtually all residential apartment properties, including owner-occupied buildings. This provision also ensures that the general housing standards in chapters 1 through 9 of the subtitle apply to apartments, giving tenants access to multiple layers of regulatory protection. Tenants who believe these standards are not being met may consider filing a complaint with the relevant District housing authority or consulting a tenant-rights organization for information about available remedies.
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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