01
The Washington, DC Local Code Shield
To operate legally within the District, contractors must hold a valid DC Department of Buildings (DOB) business license and possess specific home improvement contractor endorsements. Any project involving structural changes or significant material upgrades necessitates a formal building permit, which must be displayed on-site to ensure compliance with the International Residential Code (IRC). Failure to verify these credentials exposes homeowners to significant liability and potential stop-work orders from local inspectors.