14 DCMR § 14-401
PRIVACY
Operative Text
401.1 Common space shall be accessible to the occupants of every dwelling unit for which such space is provided without the necessity of going through another habitation. 401.2 Water closets, showers, and bathtubs shall be located in a room or compartment which affords privacy to a person within that room or compartment. 401.3 Bathrooms or sleeping rooms shall be accessible to the occupants of rooming units without the necessity of the occupants going through any of the following: (a) Another rooming unit; (b) A bathroom; (c) A sleeping room which is part of another habitation; or (d) A commercial or industrial establishment.
Under D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 et seq. § 14-401, District of Columbia housing regulations establish baseline privacy standards for residential properties. Common spaces must be reachable by all residents they serve without passing through another person's dwelling, and toilet, shower, and bathtub facilities must be enclosed to provide privacy. For rooming houses specifically, occupants must be able to reach bathrooms and sleeping rooms without passing through another rooming unit, bathroom, someone else's sleeping quarters, or a commercial or industrial space.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of residential properties in the District of Columbia subject to D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 et seq. § 14-401 generally ensure that shared amenities are laid out so no tenant must cross another unit to access them. Compliant rooming house operators configure hallways and common areas so that each occupant can reach bathrooms and sleeping rooms through neutral, shared corridors rather than through spaces belonging to other residents or through commercial areas. Reviewing floor plans and access routes against these requirements is a standard part of maintaining a code-compliant property.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 et seq. § 14-401 gives District of Columbia residents the right to access shared spaces and bathroom facilities without having to pass through another person's private living area or a commercial establishment. If a property's layout forces occupants to violate these privacy standards — for example, by routing access through a neighbor's rooming unit — that may constitute a housing code violation. Tenants who believe these standards are not being met can document the conditions, contact the D.C. Department of Buildings or a local tenant-rights organization, and explore whether raising the violation is appropriate for their circumstances.
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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