14 DCMR § 14-803
STORAGE OF ASHES, GARBAGE, AND REFUSE
Operative Text
803.1 In each multiple dwelling where the occupants of habitations are responsible for taking the ashes, garbage, or refuse from their respective quarters to a place of common storage or disposal, the place of common storage or disposal shall be readily accessible to all occupants at all times through common space within the premises. 803.2 In multiple dwellings where the owner or licensee is responsible for the collection or removal of ashes, garbage, or refuse from the individual habitations to a place of common storage or disposal, the owner or licensee shall cause sufficient daily collections, at an hour to be specified by the owner or licensee, to be made as may be necessary to keep the common space of the premises free from any accumulation of ashes, garbage, or refuse. 803.3 The principal occupant of a single or two-family dwelling, and the owners or licensees of multiple dwellings, shall provide and maintain water-tight metal receptacles with tight-fitting metal covers sufficient for the separate storage of all ashes, garbage, or refuse accumulating on the premises during the usual interval between collections of the ashes, garbage, and refuse. 803.4 If residential buildings are provided with interior refuse storage bins, the variety and number of those metal receptacles may be modified accordingly. 803.5 Persons required by this section to provide and maintain storage receptacles shall keep them free of accumulated grease, filth, or insect breeding, and shall keep them in a clean condition.
Under D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 et seq. § 14-803, residential properties in the District of Columbia must maintain accessible, sanitary systems for storing and removing ashes, garbage, and refuse. Common storage areas must be reachable by all occupants at all times, and wherever owners or licensees handle collection, they must arrange daily pickups sufficient to prevent accumulation in shared spaces. The rule also requires water-tight metal receptacles with tight-fitting covers, kept clean and free of grease, filth, or insect breeding.
Plain English — not legal advice.
D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 et seq. § 14-803 places clear operational duties on owners and licensees of multiple dwellings regarding waste storage and removal. Compliant operators generally ensure that common refuse storage areas remain accessible through shared interior spaces at all times, schedule daily collections when they are responsible for removal, and supply and maintain water-tight metal receptacles with secure covers in sufficient quantity for the property's waste volume. Receptacles are routinely cleaned to prevent grease buildup, filth, or conditions that could support insect breeding, and interior refuse bins may allow for adjustments to the number of required receptacles.
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. § 14-803 establishes rights for occupants of District of Columbia residential buildings regarding refuse storage and access. Tenants in multiple dwellings are entitled to common storage or disposal areas that are readily accessible through shared spaces at all times, and where the owner or licensee handles collection, daily pickups are required to keep common areas free of accumulated waste. Tenants who observe conditions that appear to violate these standards—such as inaccessible storage areas, infrequent collection, or unsanitary receptacles—may consider documenting the conditions, raising the issue with their building management, or filing a complaint with the District's housing inspection authorities, and tenant-rights organizations in D.C. can help explain available options.
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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