14 DCMR § 14-503
OBSTRUCTIONS TO LIGHT
Operative Text
503.1 If a habitation is located on the ground floor of a residential building, the yard of that building which lies immediately outside the habitation shall be maintained clear of any obstruction to light for a distance of at least three feet (3 ft.) from the exterior wall of the building, or for such further distance as may be required by any other law or regulation. 503.2 A reasonable amount of trees or shrubbery shall not be considered to be in violation of this section.
Under D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 et seq. § 14-503, ground-floor residential units must have the yard immediately outside kept clear of light obstructions for at least three feet from the exterior wall of the building. Other laws or regulations may require an even greater clearance distance. A reasonable number of trees or shrubs, however, does not count as a violation of this rule.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of residential buildings with ground-floor units should ensure, in compliance with D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 et seq. § 14-503, that the yard directly outside those units remains free of light-blocking obstructions within a minimum three-foot band from the exterior wall. Compliant operators routinely inspect that band for structures, overgrown vegetation, or stored materials that could block light, while recognizing that a reasonable amount of trees or shrubbery is expressly permitted. Additional clearance requirements imposed by other applicable laws or regulations must also be observed.
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. § 14-503 gives ground-floor tenants a right to have the yard immediately outside their unit kept clear of light obstructions for at least three feet from the building's exterior wall. If that area is blocked by structures or dense vegetation beyond what the rule considers reasonable shrubbery, tenants may have grounds to raise a housing-code violation with the District's housing inspection authorities or consult a tenant-rights organization for guidance on available remedies. Documenting the condition with photographs and written communication to the landlord is a common first step that tenants in similar situations have taken.
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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