14 DCMR § 14-703
GUTTERS AND DRAINAGE
Operative Text
703.1 All gutters and downspouts shall be properly connected, and shall be maintained in good condition, free of holes and obstructions. 703.2 Water shall be conveyed off premises in accordance with the plumbing regulations of the District of Columbia. 703.3 The owner of any premises used in whole or in part for residential purposes shall cause the yard or area at the premises to be graded and paved so that all drainage flows freely from all parts of the premises into any sewer traps which may have been provided for that purpose. 703.4 If there are no sewer traps, the drainage shall flow away from any inhabited building on the premises. 703.5 Yard spaces and other areas appurtenant to a residential building shall be graded by the owner to avoid the accumulation of water.
Under D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 et seq. § 14-703, residential properties in the District of Columbia must have gutters and downspouts that are properly connected, free of holes, and unobstructed. Stormwater and drainage must be directed away from inhabited buildings and into available sewer traps, with yard areas graded to prevent water from pooling. The rule places responsibility for these drainage conditions on the property owner, not the occupant.
Plain English — not legal advice.
D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 et seq. § 14-703 makes clear that compliant property owners routinely inspect gutters and downspouts for damage, blockages, and proper connections, and address deficiencies promptly. Owners also ensure that yard grading directs runoff toward sewer traps where they exist, or away from any inhabited structure where they do not. Keeping records of inspections and maintenance work is a common practice among operators who want to demonstrate ongoing compliance with this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section § 14-703 of D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 et seq. establishes that the owner—not the tenant—bears responsibility for maintaining gutters, downspouts, and proper yard drainage at residential properties. Tenants who observe standing water, blocked gutters, or drainage flowing toward a building may have grounds to report conditions to the District of Columbia's housing inspection authorities. Tenant-rights organizations in D.C. can help residents understand how to document drainage problems and what complaint or defense options may be available under this provision.
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.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation