Reply to Steps for making your basement apartment legal in DC

Forum Index » Real Estate

Reply to "Steps for making your basement apartment legal in DC"

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous]Hi All,

I'm writing on this forum because I realize that the OP made a few mistakes on the assumptions of how to implement an Additional Dwelling Unit in Washington DC. I am an architect and I design and document ADUs (aka: basement apartments, granny flats, etc). Below you will find my comments to the OP and how the documentation to DCRA should be. If you need help on this topic don't hesitate to reach out to ile@ileanaschinder.com

-[list]If you work with professionals, the ADU process is NOT cumbersome. Plenty of architects and GC know how to produce the proper documents, that comply with code and satisfy the needs of DCRA and Zoning.

-You don't need special exceptions for ADUs anywhere in the city since the zoning law changed in 2016 and ALL NEIGHBORHOODS (except georgetown) have the right to add ADUs in their properties. Skip this step.

-The only documents you need to provide are the following: a complete building set (architecture, plumbing, electrical, etc) done by a licensed professional (insurance and liability are a thing in the city, lawyers everywhere, right? :). The professional will know what goes on the package, it's standard practice for us.

-You don't need to give notice to your neighbors unless you live in a historic district (which is a complicated set of rules, see professional experience above). You only need to contact your neighbors on each side if you are doing structural work on party walls. (I've done this, it's very easy)

-You don't need to contact your ANC if you want to implement an ADU

-You don't need burden of proof at all. Not sure if this was the old law pre-2016 but in the dozen or so ADUs I've permitted, never once I got asked this.

-You must comply with all zoning and building rules. There are hundreads (the building code alone is 1700 pages, and i read them all because architecture license is the best cure for insomnia :) 
     
-If you want to do an ADU, you are NOT assigned (or required) to do a BZA hearing, you have this by right since 2016. 
[/list]
Finally, reach out to professionals that do this day in and day out (I do!) and organizations that are working to promote ADUs (The coalition for smarter growth)

I hope this clarifies and feel free to reach out if you need any help on this.

Cheers,

Ileana Schinder, Architect
ile@ileanaschinder.com

www.ileanaschinder.com[/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics