14 DCMR § 14-4899
DEFINITIONS
Operative Text
4899.1 When used in this chapter, the following terms and phrases shall have the meanings ascribed: “Act” means the Residential Drug-Related Evictions Re-enactment Act of 2000 (the “Act”), effective October 19, 2000 (D.C. Law 13-172; D.C. Official Code § 42-3601 et seq.) (2001) “Attorney General” means the Attorney General of the District of Columbia or his or her designee. “Controlled dangerous substance” means any of the controlled dangerous substances as defined in D.C. Official Code § 48-901.02(4). “Controlled Substances Act” means the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, approved October 27, 1970 (84 Stat. 1243; 21 U.S.C.S. § 801 et seq.). “Court” means the Landlord and Tenant Branch of the Civil Division of the Superior Court. “Drug haven” means a housing accommodation, or land appurtenant to or common areas of a housing accommodation where drugs are illegally stored, manufactured, used, or distributed. “Drug” means a controlled substance as defined in D.C. Official Code § 33-504(4) or the Controlled Substances Act. “Housing accommodation” means a building that is or contains at least one rental unit and the land appurtenant to the building. “Manufacture” shall have the same meaning as that term has in D.C. Official Code § 48-901.02(13) or the Controlled Substances Act. “Nuisance” means a property that is used: (a) By persons who assemble for the specific purpose of illegally using a controlled dangerous substance; (b) For the illegal manufacture or distribution of: (1) A controlled dangerous substance; or (2) Drug paraphernalia, as defined in D.C. Official Code § 48-1101(3); or (c) For the illegal storage or concealment of a controlled dangerous substance in sufficient quantity to reasonably indicate under all the circumstances an intent to manufacture, distribute, or dispense: (1) A controlled dangerous substance; or (2) Drug paraphernalia, as defined in D.C. Official Code § 48-1101(3). “Occupant” means a person authorized by the tenant or housing provider to be on the premises of the rental unit. “Rental unit” means an apartment, room, or part of a publicly or privately owned housing accommodation that is rented or offered for rent for residential occupancy, and the land appurtenant to the apartment, room, or part of the housing accommodation. “Resident” means: (1) any individual who is domiciled or maintains a place of abode within a housing accommodation, multifamily building, or a single complex of jointly managed multifamily buildings that is alleged to be a drug haven or nuisance; (2) a member of a tenant’s family who is identified on the tenant’s lease or sublease for a housing accommodation that is alleged to be a drug haven or nuisance; or (3) a nontenant who resides, with the permission of the tenant, within a tenant’s housing accommodation that is alleged to be a drug haven or nuisance. “Resident association” means an organization of residents of a multifamily building or a single complex of jointly managed multifamily buildings. “Tenant” means a lessee, sublessee, or other person entitled to the possession or occupancy of a rental unit. “Uniform” Controlled Substances Act means Chapter 9 of Title 48 of the D.C. Official Code.
Section 14-4899 of the D.C. Municipal Regulations establishes the precise meanings of key terms used throughout the chapter governing drug-related evictions in the District of Columbia. Concepts such as "drug haven," "nuisance," "rental unit," "tenant," and "resident" are each given specific legal definitions that control how the rest of the chapter's rules are applied. These definitions draw on both D.C. law and federal statutes, including the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, to set the boundaries of what conduct and which properties fall within the chapter's scope.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Housing providers operating under D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 § 14-4899 should be familiar with how terms like "drug haven," "nuisance," and "housing accommodation" are defined, since these definitions determine when the drug-related eviction framework applies to a property. A compliant operator understands that the definitions extend beyond the rental unit itself to include appurtenant land and common areas, meaning that drug-related activity in shared spaces can bring a property within the chapter's reach. Familiarity with the defined term "occupant" is also relevant, as it covers persons authorized by the tenant to be on the premises, not just the tenant alone.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants in the District of Columbia should be aware that § 14-4899 defines who qualifies as a "resident" broadly, encompassing not only the leaseholder but also family members identified on the lease and non-tenant residents living with the tenant's permission. The definition of "nuisance" under this section covers specific types of drug-related activity on or associated with a housing accommodation, and understanding these definitions can help tenants recognize when the drug-related eviction chapter may be invoked. Tenants who believe these definitions are being misapplied in a proceeding may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or seek guidance from the D.C. Office of the Tenant Advocate.
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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