14 DCMR § 14-9909

9909.1 A respondent shall answer a notice or order in accordance with this section within thirty (30) days from the date of service of the notice or order.

9909.2 In response to a notice or order, a respondent shall do the following:

(a) Answer the notice or order in one of the following ways:

(1) Admit the violation or infraction;

(2) Admit the violation or infraction with explanation; or

(3) Deny the commission of the violation or infraction; and

(b) Otherwise complete, sign, and date the answer form on the back of the notice.

9909.3 If a respondent admits a violation or infraction, the respondent shall include payment of the fine with the respondent's answer.

9909.4 Payment of the fine shall not relieve the respondent of the obligation to abate the violation or infraction cited in the notice or order.

9909.5 If the respondent admits a violation or infraction with an explanation, the respondent shall state on the notice whether the respondent requests a hearing on the papers or an in-person hearing. OAH may hold an in-person hearing in its sole discretion.

9909.6 If a respondent denies an infraction, OAH may schedule an in-person hearing in accordance with its rules.

9909.7 If a respondent does not answer the notice within thirty (30) calendar days:

(a) OAH shall issue a default order; and

(b) A civil penalty equal to the amount of the fine imposed by the notice shall be imposed by OAH in the default order.