14 DCMR § 14-505
LIGHTING OF HALLWAYS, STAIRWAYS, AND OTHER COMMON SPACE
Operative Text
505.1 Hallways, stairways, and other common space used in common by the occupants of more than one habitation shall have adequate lighting facilities, which shall be kept in good condition at all times. 505.2 The artificial illumination of stairs and hallways in each housing business licensed under this subtitle shall be arranged and maintained to provide illumination from sunset to sunrise and at other times when daylight does not provide illumination of an intensity of at least six-foot candles (6 ft.) at the tread and floor level.
Under D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 et seq. § 14-505, shared hallways, stairways, and other common areas in multi-unit housing must be adequately lit and kept in good working condition at all times. Artificial lighting in these spaces must be on from sunset to sunrise and whenever natural daylight falls below six foot-candles of intensity at tread and floor level. This rule applies to all housing businesses licensed under the relevant subtitle in the District of Columbia.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Compliant operators under D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 et seq. § 14-505 generally ensure that all shared corridors, stairwells, and common areas are equipped with functioning light fixtures that activate from dusk to dawn and during any daytime periods of insufficient natural light. Property managers typically conduct routine inspections to confirm that bulbs, fixtures, and timers are in good working order and that illumination at tread and floor level meets the six-foot-candle threshold. Keeping maintenance logs and promptly replacing failed lighting components are practices commonly associated with ongoing compliance.
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. § 14-505 gives occupants of multi-unit housing a right to adequately lit shared spaces, including hallways and stairways, from sunset to sunrise and at other times when natural light is insufficient. Tenants who observe persistent lighting failures in common areas may document the conditions with photographs and dates, then report the issue to the District of Columbia's housing inspection authorities. Tenant-rights organizations in D.C. can provide general information about available complaint processes and how inadequate lighting conditions may be raised in housing proceedings.
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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