14 DCMR § 14-902
EGRESS FACILITIES
Operative Text
902.1 It shall be the duty of the operator of each housing business to keep fire escapes, stairways, and other egress facilities in a good state of repair and free from obstruction. 902.2 The operator of each housing business shall keep exterior stairways and fire escapes painted. 902.3 The operator of each housing business shall maintain all fire doors for vertical and horizontal communications in an openable condition in accordance with their required function. 902.4 The operator of each housing business shall keep all public and exit corridors free of obstructions.
Under D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 et seq. § 14-902, housing business operators in the District of Columbia are required to keep fire escapes, stairways, and other egress facilities in good repair and free from obstruction at all times. Exterior stairways and fire escapes must be kept painted, and fire doors must remain functional and openable as required. Public and exit corridors must also be kept clear of any obstructions that could impede safe passage.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Compliance with D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 et seq. § 14-902 generally means that operators of housing businesses conduct regular inspections of fire escapes, stairways, corridors, and fire doors to confirm they are unobstructed, structurally sound, and properly maintained. Exterior stairways and fire escapes should be kept painted to prevent deterioration, and fire doors should be tested periodically to ensure they open as intended. Operators typically document maintenance activities and address any deficiencies promptly to demonstrate 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. § 14-902 establishes that tenants in District of Columbia housing have a right to egress facilities—including fire escapes, stairways, corridors, and fire doors—that are safe, unobstructed, and properly maintained. If these conditions are not met, tenants may have grounds to report the issue to the D.C. Department of Buildings or another relevant local enforcement authority, or to raise the violation in a housing proceeding. Tenant-rights organizations in the District can provide general information about available complaint processes and other 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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